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Four new CHRISTUS school-based clinics were equipped and staffed courtesy of a generous donation from Houstonians Tom and Nancy Macrini, through the Thomas G. and Nancy J. Macrini Foundation.

Most of us, if not all, remember nurses in our schools. We probably took them for granted. No one does that today. These days, many schools have no healthcare support. And the absence of nurses exacerbates a bad situation for young people. Often, because a child’s family has no medical insurance, he or she gets healthcare only when an injury or illness gets dangerous. CHRISTUS Foundation is improving this picture by supporting school-based clinics in eight Houston-area schools.

CHRISTUS school-based clinic services are available in three underserved communities south of the city, in Dickinson, Bacliff and Bay Shores, as well as in Houston's 3rd Ward. Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston schools include Resurrection School, Our Lady of Guadalupe School and St. Francis of Assisi School. Dickinson schools include Bay Colony Elementary, Dickinson High School and K.E. Little Elementary School. The School-Based Clinic Ministry also serves Yellowstone Academy in Houston.

Each of these locations provides –

• Direct healthcare to students and families
• Leadership for the provision of health-related services
• Screening and referral for health conditions
• Leadership in promoting health and a healthy school environment
• Leadership in developing health policies and programs, and
• Liaisons among school personnel, family, community, and other healthcare providers.

The four new clinics, which opened in 2010, all operate in Pre K – 8 schools of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and are staffed by Physician Assistant Nancy Lounds. Nancy works under Sister Rosanne Popp, M.D., well known to us all for her years as Medical Director at CHRISTUS Southwest Community Health Center. Nancy is assisted in her work by the CHRISTUS Healthy Living Mobile Clinic and its crew.

The four new clinics were equipped and staffed courtesy of a generous donation from Houstonians Tom and Nancy Macrini, through the Thomas G. and Nancy J. Macrini Foundation. The Macrinis have demonstrated a longstanding devotion to Catholic schools. They’ve provided scholarship support to 12 schools in Houston, in addition to others in Bellaire, the Astrodome area and Galveston.

“We know the situation of many parents today,” says Tom. “They sacrifice a lot to send their children to good schools.”

“Gifts like ours can really be a Godsend to parents,” Nancy adds. “Our four children had the benefit of good educations, and now we’re able to help others. It’s how we share our blessings.”

Circulating among the four schools, which have a combined enrollment of about 600, Nancy Lounds has delivered acute and episodic care to more than 100 children each month since January. Together the CHRISTUS-sponsored practitioners address student ailments, administer general heath screenings, diabetes and blood-pressure tests, hearing and vision exams and immunizations.

Where once young Houstonians had little or no school-based care, they now have well-equipped, devoted professionals. Lives are made healthier and futures are being brightened – thanks to you, Tom and Nancy.