Providing Safe and affordable on-site medical and mental health services to Cumming Elementary students.

As of March 2023, Georgia Highlands Medical Services proudly provides affordable medical and behavioral health services to Cumming Elementary School students whose parents/guardians choose to access this outstanding service. Care is provided on-site at our School Based Health Center at Cumming Elementary. The school safety and facilities departments have worked together to ensure that Cumming Elementary School stays safe and secure with the new addition. The clinic has its own secure entrance, and the doors that lead from the clinic to the school are also protected.

Over 50 school-based health centers (SBHCs) in Georgia have positively impacted students’ health and attendance. School-based health centers are simply healthcare clinics based in schools. SBHCs offer services to students and staff that the school nurse cannot provide alone, such as diagnosing illnesses, well-child exams, diagnostic testing, and prescriptions when needed. School nurses and school-based health centers work together and share a critical mission: protecting and advancing the health and well-being of school-aged children. One does not replace the need for the other. Each has a distinct and complementary function.

Our goal is to ensure that students and school staff can receive on-site medical and mental health services, reduce missed school days, and keep kids healthy. Additionally, our school center helps families overcome access barriers – including transportation, time, cost, and lack of continuity of care – that may prevent them from receiving needed healthcare services. Care is provided before, during, and after school hours right down the hall from your child’s classroom. Furthermore, parents/guardians can meet their child at the clinic to be seen by our nurse practitioner, Ashley Ford, and licensed professional counselor, Michele Ruiz.

At GHMS, we understand that medical emergencies can happen at any time. That’s why we have a provider on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to address urgent patient concerns, care recommendations, and clinical advice. If you or a loved one are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. For non-emergency concerns, our team is available during regular business hours to address your needs.