Healthcare leader Lena Esmail is calling for expanded access to school-based health clinics to address rising student absenteeism and health disparities across the country. As a nurse practitioner and CEO of QuickMed, Esmail emphasizes these clinics are critical for improving attendance, closing health gaps, and supporting students who might otherwise lack access to care.
According to the CDC, over 7 million students miss more than 15 days of school each year, which defines chronic absenteeism, with much of this attributed to preventable or treatable health issues. Simultaneously, one in five children in the U.S. experiences a mental health disorder annually, with most never receiving care. School-based clinics provide direct access to both physical and mental health services without requiring families to take time off work or navigate complex healthcare systems.
"We're not talking about luxury care," Esmail stated. "We're talking about keeping kids in school with basic medical access—strep tests, asthma checks, mental health screenings, and follow-up support." Her company, QuickMed, currently operates clinics in schools across multiple Ohio cities including Liberty, Akron, Ravenna, and Austintown. The model utilizes 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. Esmail noted that when their first school clinic opened, students were missing class for untreated asthma and infections, but within months, children stayed in school, received earlier care, and teachers reported noticeable differences.
Despite clear benefits, Esmail identifies significant barriers preventing widespread adoption of school-based clinics. Funding remains a primary obstacle, as many schools lack budgets to start or sustain health clinics. Staffing shortages also exist, with providers often unwilling to work in non-traditional settings. Policy restrictions in some states prevent nurse practitioners from operating independently, and awareness gaps mean parents and school boards frequently don't understand available services or their benefits.
"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 observed. She believes everyone from parents to employers can contribute to expanding these services.
Esmail recommends parents ask their schools about existing on-site or partner clinics and request them if unavailable. Teachers and staff should discuss how student health impacts learning outcomes. Local leaders can consider using funds from sources like ARPA or ESSER to pilot school-based care programs. Healthcare providers should explore partnerships with districts to offer mobile or part-time services, while policymakers should support full-practice authority for nurse practitioners to expand access in care deserts.
"You don't have to build a big clinic to make a difference," Esmail emphasized. "Start with a room. Start with a nurse. That alone changes lives." She stresses that school-based clinics represent more than just convenient healthcare—they're proven strategies for keeping students healthy, in class, and academically on track. Communities need not wait for major policy shifts, as change can begin with one room, one provider, and one student at a time.
"We've seen the model work," Esmail concluded. "Now it's time to scale it." The expansion of school-based health clinics could significantly impact educational outcomes by reducing health-related absences, while simultaneously addressing broader healthcare disparities affecting children nationwide.
