The Power of Community-Connected Care

St. Mary School has always been a special place for Katherine Smith. A lifelong resident of German Village, Katherine first walked through the school’s hallways as a student and continued to stay connected to the people and community long after she graduated.

Years later, when Katherine decided to pursue a career as a pre-school teacher, she knew exactly where she wanted to work -- St. Mary.

Today, the connection runs even deeper. All three of Katherine’s children attend the school, and they love the friends, teachers and community environment that have meant so much to their mother.

In 2023, a new resource became part of that community when Nationwide Children’s opened a School-Based Health Center on St. Mary’s campus. At first, Katherine was unsure how it would fit into the school environment.

“At the time, I had no idea what a School-Based Health Center was, and I was confused about the whole concept,” said Katherine. “I started to learn more about the staff and the facility during an open house and I quickly saw how important this resource would be for my students, and my own children.”

Two of Katherine’s kids have chronic medical conditions. Her son has Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, a congenital heart condition caused by an extra electrical pathway in the heart that can lead to rapid heart rates. Her daughter has asthma, which requires ongoing monitoring and management.

Having access to trusted healthcare right at school has made a meaningful difference for the Smith family.

“The staff have been so helpful with my son’s heart condition and instrumental with my daughter’s asthma diagnosis,” Katherine explained. “Dr. Silvera was the one who recognized my daughter’s symptoms and connected us to the asthma clinic at Nationwide Children’s. She guided us through the whole process and even helped me feel more comfortable managing her asthma at home.”