TACOMA, Wash. — A new MultiCare Health System clinic opened last month at Mount Tahoma High School in Tacoma. The on-site clinic, which aims to remove barriers for students needing care, provides preventive care, behavioral health care and treatment for illness and injury.
Located in the South Tacoma neighborhood, Mount Tahoma High School currently serves about 1,500 students in grades nine to 12. Mount Tahoma offers students several unique programs, including the Healthcare Careers Academy, which partners with MultiCare.
“The ability to bring health care into our schools is huge, and I want our students to know this is their clinic,” said Josh Garcia, Tacoma Public Schools superintendent. “We are grateful to again expand our partnership with MultiCare.”
Bringing primary care to the school allows students to develop trusted relationships with health care providers at a young age, which is proven to contribute to a healthier life. The clinic also provides access to care that otherwise may be unattainable for students in the area.
“Being present at this level in the school and community really allows us to live out our mission of partnering for healing and a healthy future,” said Cyd Marckmann, director of MultiCare’s school-based clinics. “When we can meet kids where they are and engage them in their health, we can lay the groundwork to help them be healthier adults.”
MultiCare providers staff the clinic two days a week and offer a range of services, including sports physicals, family planning and treatment of coughs and colds. A partnership with Greater Lakes Mental Healthcare brings counseling services on site once a week. Students seen at the clinic also have access to a continuum of care with referrals to other MultiCare services such as orthopedics or Mary Bridge Children’s as needed.
Tacoma Public Schools and MultiCare have a long-standing partnership that includes Healthcare Careers Academy, a four-year, part-time high school program that prepares students for careers in the medical field. MultiCare also operates a school clinic at Oakland High School.
About MultiCare
MultiCare Health System is a not-for-profit health care organization with 13 hospitals and more than 26,000 team members. We are committed to achieving our mission of healing and a healthy future and delivering world-class health outcomes and an exceptional experience.
As one of the largest community-based, locally governed health systems in Washington state, our comprehensive system of health includes numerous primary care, urgent care and dedicated specialty services. For more information, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.
