15-yearold Ben (center) is flanked by siblings Nathan (14), Dakota (11) and D’artagnan (9).
When Heather Peterson and her family moved from Lake City, PA to Warren, OH in Nov. 2023, they were looking for a fresh start. With 6 kids to enroll in school, Heather didn’t have time to look for a pediatrician, so she was pleasantly surprised to learn about Akron Children’s School Based Health Services (SBHS) which offers a wide range of benefits for students.
“When I learned about the service and how convenient it was, I immediately signed up the kids,” she said.
According to Allison Lantz, nurse practitioner for Warren City Schools, the beauty of SBHS is the convenience it offers to busy families.
“We can treat common illnesses like sore throats, rashes and coughs, right at school. We also handle routine well visits, vaccinations and physicals needed for sports, camp or work,” she said.
But the care goes beyond that. SBHS can also help manage chronic conditions like asthma, provide hearing and vision tests and offer guidance on healthy habits, safety tips and referrals to specialists, mental health professionals and community resources.
Within two weeks of being enrolled in school, 15-year-old Benjamin Peterson, who had some pre-existing stomach issues, was seen by Allison.
Easton, age 7. When Heather suspected Easton had strep throat, she requested a telehealth appointment with Allison Lantz, nurse practitioner for Warren City Schools.
“He had a stomachache, vomiting and cramping,” said Heather. “Allison thought he may have appendicitis and sent us to the ED.”
Although he didn’t end up having appendicitis, Allison helped connect the Petersons with Akron Children’s gastroenterology department where Benjamin got a full work up.
“He had an endoscopy and colonoscopy,” said Heather. “They discovered he has early signs of Crohn’s disease, which I also have.”
When Heather’s 9-year-old son, D’artagnan, saw Allison for a well visit, Allison called Heather to ask if she had any concerns.
“I told her about a bump he had above his belly button that he’d been complaining was hurting,” said Heather. “He’d had the bump looked at before and we were told it was a fat pocket.”
Allison recommended the family meet with a surgeon, and it turned out D’artagnan had an umbilical hernia. The family chose to have the hernia surgically repaired and D’artagnan was back to school in no time and cleared to play sports.
“Allison is a godsend,” said Heather. “When we moved here, I didn’t know anything about local doctors, where they were located, or which ones accepted my insurance.
Marlene, age 5. Allison is helping to connect the Petersons with an Akron Children’s Pediatrics office so the kids will have a medical provider lined up for summer
“Most doctors won’t let you schedule more than 2 kids at a time so that would mean 3 different trips to the doctor for me,” she added. “Instead, Allison makes sure the kids are up to date on their vaccines, prescribes their medications when necessary and manages their medications at school.”
When Heather suspected her 7-year-old had strep, she requested a telehealth appointment with Allison.
“They swabbed him, ran the test and called me with the results,” said Heather, citing the ease of using SBHS.
Heather also appreciates that Allison has gotten to know her kids and helps advocate for them.
“One of my boys is autistic and also has ADHD,” she said. “Allison helped advocate for non-prescription interventions which was my preference.”
With summer fast approaching, Heather realizes SBHS won’t be an option when school is closed over break.
Allison Lantz, nurse practitioner for Warren City Schools
“Allison is helping to connect us with an Akron Children’s Pediatrics office so the kids will have a medical provider lined up for summer,” she said.
Akron Children’s pediatric providers and nursing staff provide school based health services at the following schools:
- Akron Public
- Crestwood
- East Palestine
- Edge Academy/Akros Middle/AkroTech High School
- Mahoning Valley Community School
- Medina
- Nordonia
- Sebring
- Streetsboro
- Triway
- Warren
- Windham
- Woodridge
- Wooster
Well child visits are scheduled in-person and include recommended immunizations. Sick visits can be either in-person or over telehealth. Using state of the art technology, the provider can hear heart and lung sounds and see in your child’s ears, nose and throat for a full exam even if she is not physically at the school that day.
Call 330-543-7242 to learn more or schedule an appointment.
