(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – Nationwide Children’s Hospital, together with the Ohio Department of Health, has expanded its School--Based Health Center at West High School, 179 S. Powell Ave., as part of the hospital’s ongoing efforts to increase access to health for students and the broader community.
The expanded center includes an additional examination room, private consultation room for telepsychiatry services, and a waiting space. The School-Based Health Center now offers select dental services. The center will also be open year-round to accommodate the community. Due to the expansion, the School-Based Health Center can now serve students from surrounding elementary and middle schools.
“The expansion of the West High School School-Based Health Center cements our commitment to serving Westside students and the greater community,” said Mary Kay Iriwn, EdD, associate vice president of School Health for Nationwide Children’s. “Providing these healthcare services saves each student an average of three hours of time in the classroom, which means children can spend more time learning in the classroom. When children can achieve academically, they are more likely to grow up to be healthy adults.”
In partnership with Columbus City Schools, the School-based Health Center at West High School also provides access to primary care, immunizations, behavioral healthcare and more. The center is open to all staff, students and community members aged 0 to 21.
“This expanded health center is a game-changer for our students and families,” said Columbus City Schools Superintendent and CEO Dr. Angela Chapman. “Getting the care, they need should not mean a student missing an entire day of learning or a parent or caregiver having to miss work to take them to an appointment. This center helps remove those barriers, keeps students connected to school, and allows us to better support the whole child.”
Ohio Department of Health granted Nationwide Children’s $500,000 in 2026 for the renovation of the School-Based Health Center and expansion of dental services to the Westside region. The renovation allowed for the inclusion of a second exam room and a waiting room for primary care services.
“Under Governor Mike DeWine’s leadership, ODH and the state of Ohio have greatly increased their support of School-Based Health Centers in recent years,” said ODH Director Bruce Vanderhoff, MD, MBA. “We believe this is part of the future of healthcare – the ability to bring care to where people are, and we know these centers help improve both student health and student learning, by limiting the amount of classroom time that students might otherwise miss for off-site appointments.”
To learn more, visit NationwideChildrens.org/SchoolHealth. To schedule an appointment, call (614) 355-2590 and choose option three.