Healthcare Leader Advocates for Expansion of School-Based Health Clinics to Address Student Absenteeism

Healthcare leader Lena Esmail is urging school districts, parents, and policymakers to expand access to school-based health clinics as student absenteeism and health disparities continue to rise across the country. Esmail, a nurse practitioner and the CEO of QuickMed, states these clinics are critical to improving attendance, closing health gaps, and supporting students who would otherwise fall through the cracks. "When we opened our first school clinic, students were missing class for untreated asthma and infections. Within a few months, we saw kids staying in school, getting care earlier, and teachers telling us the difference was noticeable," Esmail said.

According to the CDC, over 7 million students miss more than 15 days of school each year—a rate that defines chronic absenteeism. Much of that is due to preventable or treatable health issues. At the same time, 1 in 5 children in the U.S. experience a mental health disorder each year, and most never receive care. School-based clinics provide a direct way to address both physical and mental health needs—without requiring families to take time off work or navigate complicated systems. "We're not talking about luxury care," Esmail said. "We're talking about keeping kids in school with basic medical access—strep tests, asthma checks, mental health screenings, and follow-up support."

Esmail's company, QuickMed, currently operates clinics in schools across multiple Ohio cities including Liberty, Akron, Ravenna, and Austintown. The model uses nurse practitioners as frontline providers, offering care directly on-site during school hours. A recent internal report from one district showed a 30% drop in preventable absences after QuickMed began operating a part-time clinic on campus. While the benefits are clear, Esmail says there are still major barriers keeping this solution from scaling. Funding remains an issue as many schools lack the budget to start or sustain health clinics. Staffing shortages exist with providers unwilling to work in non-traditional settings. Policy restrictions in some states prevent nurse practitioners from operating independently. Awareness is also limited, as parents and school boards often do not know what services are available or how much they help.

"Sometimes, we get calls from superintendents who say, 'We just found out 40% of our students have no regular access to healthcare.' That's the kind of realization that leads to real change," Esmail noted. She believes everyone from parents to employers has a role to play. Parents can ask their school if there is an on-site or partner clinic and request one if not available. Teachers and staff should discuss the impact of student health on learning outcomes. Local leaders can consider using local ARPA, ESSER, or county health funds to pilot school-based care. Healthcare providers can explore partnerships with districts to offer mobile or part-time services. Policymakers should support full-practice authority for nurse practitioners to help expand access in care deserts. "You don't have to build a big clinic to make a difference," Esmail said. "Start with a room. Start with a nurse. That alone changes lives."

School-based clinics are not a "nice to have"—they are a proven strategy for keeping students healthy, in class, and on track. Communities do not have to wait for big policy shifts. Change can start with one room, one provider, one student at a time. "We've seen the model work," Esmail added. "Now it's time to scale it." For more information on school health initiatives, visit https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/schoolhealthservices.htm.