Superintendent Kaweeda G. Adams on Wednesday joined community partner Whitney M. Young Jr. Health Center and local officials to announce the latest collaboration between the clinic and the City School District of Albany: a mobile health van that will serve students at North Albany Academy.
“Health and success in school are closely linked. Sick children tend to miss more school than healthy ones, and we know missing too much school puts students at greater risk of failing or dropping out,” Adams said at a news conference at the school.
Starting in September, the mobile van – “Whitney on Wheels” – will visit North Albany Academy monthly to serve elementary students at there and middle- and high-school students in a new program for refugee and immigrant students that is housed at the school.
(Adams is pictured at right having her blood pressure checked in the mobile van by Kevin Ragnauth, a medical assistant).
The van will provide comprehensive services that include immunizations, preventive exams, routine blood tests, health education and sick visits for students and families.
Whitney Young CEO David Shippee, Assemblyman John T. McDonald III, Assemblywoman Patricia A. Fahy and Mayor Kathy Sheehan joined Adams in celebrating the new van.
“We are so excited to celebrate National Health Center Week and have the Mobile Health Unit come to North Albany Academy. We are proud to serve the community and the students of the City School District of Albany and encourage better health management among the parents and children of this school,” Shippee said.
Whitney Young is an important community partner for the school district, providing comprehensive health care in school-based clinics that run during school hours at Giffen Memorial Elementary School, Philip Schuyler Achievement Academy and Sheridan Preparatory Academy. The services are free and there is no insurance billing involved.
Also, Whitney on Wheels already provides health care to students at Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School and will expand to operating every Monday and Wednesday this fall.
“We’re thrilled to expand our ongoing partnership with Whitney Young and grateful for their efforts to keep Albany children healthy and in school,” Adams said.
The mission of the City School District of Albany is to educate and prepare all students for college and career, citizenship and life, in partnership with our diverse community. The district serves nearly 9,700 students in 18 elementary, middle and high schools. In addition to neighborhood schools, the district includes several magnet schools and programs, as well as other innovative academic opportunities for students, including four themed academies at Albany High School.
