GREAT FALLS — Healthcare isn’t confined to a just doctor's office. “The term ‘school-based clinic' is often misunderstood by the general public as to really what we offer, '' said Alluvion Health physician assistant Jason Enewald. “There will be some days where I’ll do two or three well-child checks and then there will be other days I'll be managing chronic diseases such as asthma, COPD, and then also I’m here for any walk-in care visits, any urgent care needs.”
While Alluvion health offers Covid-19 testing and vaccinations at certain sites like its main location at 601 1st Avenue North or at the drive-through clinic at Montana ExpoPark, they’ve worked with Great Falls Public Schools to keep most patients with Covid concerns away from school-based health centers.
“We definitely screen before the patient comes in for their appointment- we’ll discuss over the phone, take their temperature when they arrive,” said Alluvion Health School-Based Clinic Director Trevor Bolton. “If they did have any symptoms related (to Covid), we would direct them to our downtown clinic- just to avoid any situations being in the schools related to covid.”
“Our nurse fields the phone calls and we end up sending them over for a drive thru test just to be safe,” said Enewald.
Still, the clinics have kept busy with in-person visits and telehealth appointments during a year filled with closed campuses and distance learning. “We have seen an increased number as the months go on with medical and behavioral health,'' said Bolton.
Alluvion Health is working to expand their reach- they’ve partnered with Vaughn Public School to set up the first school-based clinic in that district. “We’re working with Alliance For Youth as well as offering behavioral health for the time being and looking at medical in the future,” said Bolton. He says Alluvion Health plan to open the new clinic in fall 2021.
Medical Services (open to the public)
- Paris Gibson Education Center - 2400 Central Ave, Great Falls, MT 59401
- Monday – Thursday 7:30am to 4:00pm
- Friday – Closed
- Longfellow Elementary - 1100 6th Ave S, Great Falls, MT 59405
- Monday – Thursday 7am-6pm
- Friday 7:30 – 4:00pm
- Belt Public Schools - 1 Church St, Belt, MT
- Thursdays 7:30am- 5:30pm
- University of Providence - 1301 20th St S, Great Falls, MT 59405
- Monday - Friday 7:00am - 10:00am
Behavioral Health Services (students only)
- CM Russell High School - 228 17th Ave NW, Great Falls, MT 59404
- Great Falls High School - 1900 2nd Ave S, Great Falls, MT 59405
- Paris Gibson Education Center - 2400 Central Ave, Great Falls, MT 59401
- East Middle School - 4040 Central Ave, Great Falls, MT 59405
- North Middle School - 2601 8th St NE, Great Falls, MT 59404
- Longfellow Elementary - 1100 6th Ave S, Great Falls, MT 59405
- Giant Springs Elementary - 520 32nd St N, Great Falls, MT 59401
- Meadow Lark Elementary - 2204 Fox Farm Rd, Great Falls, MT 59404
- Lewis and Clark Elementary - 3800 Central Ave, Great Falls, MT 59405
- Montana School for the Deaf and Blind - 3911 Central Ave, Great Falls, MT 59405
- Belt Public Schools - 1 Church St, Belt, MT
- Alliance for Youth – 3220 11th Ave S, Great Falls, MT 59405
Coming Fall of 2021:
(Medical and Behavioral Health Services)
- Vaughn Public Schools – 480 Central Ave, Vaughn, MT 59487
For more information, visit the Alluvion Health website.
