Photo provided Ryan Aston, physician assistant with Ohio Hills Health Centers, from left, joins Brittany Bobka, school health coordinator, OHHC; Cathy Moore, treasurer, Bellaire Local School District; and Derrick McAfee, superintendent, Bellaire Local schools, as they prepare to cut a ceremonial ribbon to open a school-based health clinic.

BELLAIRE — Ohio Hills Health Center-Bellaire will host a ribbon cutting and open house at 1 p.m. Aug. 15 to celebrate the opening of its new health center.

Everyone is invited to stop out to learn more about the new School Based Health Center and to tour the newly renovated health center.

“It has been our privilege to work with the Bellaire Local School District and the Ohio Department of Health to make our school-based health center a reality,” said Jeff Britton, CEO, OHHC. “We have received tremendous support from the community, and we are grateful for the technical assistance we received from Nationwide Children’s Hospital. We look forward to serving Bellaire students and community members.”

This new SBHC was made possible through a planning and implementation grant through the Ohio Department of Health. This grant is part of the state’s commitment to improving the health and educational outcomes for all students.

“The availability of the school health center has already made a significant difference for our students, staff and community members. The health center provides opportunities for Bellaire students to be successful academically by reducing absenteeism and improving their health and it also provides convenient access to healthcare for all community members,” said Derrick McAfee, superintendent of Bellaire Local Schools.

The school-based health center is essentially a doctor’s office located within Bellaire High School. It offers comprehensive primary health care services and bills insurances just like a doctor’s office. The health center is open to students, staff and community members. Ohio Hills Health Centers also offers a Patient Discount Program for those who qualify and can aid in applying for Medicare, Medicaid or the Marketplace.

The staffing for the school-based health center includes Ryan Aston, physician assistant; Stacy Loos, medical assistant; Shannon Mullins, medical receptionist and Brittany Bobka, school health coordinator. The health center will be operational year-round, including the summer months.

For additional information, visit OhioHillsHealth.org or to make an appointment call OHHC at 740-239-6447.

The ribbon cutting and open house is open to all community members. If you have any questions regarding the ribbon cutting, call Jan Chambers, OHHC, 740-425-5167.