Ozarks Healthcare Encourages Families to Prioritize Health Before the School Year Begins

As students prepare to head back to the classroom, Ozarks Healthcare is reminding families to make their children's health a priority before the first day of school.

From annual wellness visits and sports physicals to immunizations, behavioral health services, and same-day care for unexpected illnesses, Ozarks Healthcare offers a wide range of services to help students stay healthy and ready to learn.

"Back-to-school season is the perfect time for families to schedule preventive care and ensure children are prepared for a successful school year," Aimee Jarrett, Ozarks Healthcare Vice President of Ambulatory Services, said. "By staying up to date on routine care, families can help prevent health concerns from interfering with learning and extracurricular activities."

Ozarks Healthcare encourages parents to: schedule annual wellness visits with their child's primary care provider, ensure required immunizations are up to date, complete any remaining sports physicals before fall activities begin, address behavioral health concerns early, and refill prescription medications before school starts.

Ozarks Healthcare Pediatrics provides comprehensive care for infants, children, and adolescents, including wellness exams, sick visits, immunizations, and management of chronic conditions. The clinic's experienced providers include Dr. Karen Johal, Dr. Carolyn Ellsworth, and Bridgette Hendrix, family nurse practitioner (FNP), who are dedicated to helping children grow and thrive.

For student-athletes who still need a sports physical, appointments are available through the Ozarks Healthcare Zizzer Clinic, which is staffed by Emily Redfearn, FNP. Families are reminded that the clinic is closed during the month of July and will reopen in August for appointments. Families are encouraged to contact the clinic after reopening to schedule any remaining physicals before fall sports begin. The Zizzer Clinic serves non-school-aged children of all West Plains School District faculty and staff, as well as faculty and staff from surrounding rural schools, including Fairview, Glenwood, Howell Valley, Junction Hill, and Richards. Additionally, services are available to spouses and dependents of Ozarks Healthcare employees.

The Ozarks Healthcare Behavioral Health Center also offers services for children, adolescents, and families, providing support for emotional wellness, anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns. Addressing behavioral health needs early can help students thrive both in and out of the classroom.

For added convenience, Ozarks Healthcare also offers Virtual Walk-In Care through the Ozarks Healthcare Patient Portal for many common, non-emergency illnesses, allowing families to receive care without leaving home.

With primary care clinics, pediatric services, specialty care, pharmacies, and convenient care options located throughout the region, Ozarks Healthcare is committed to helping students and families stay healthy all year long.

To learn more about available services, visit www.ozarkshealthcare.com or contact your nearest Ozarks Healthcare clinic.

Ozarks Healthcare is a not-for-profit health system that serves more than 160,000 residents across south-central Missouri and northern Arkansas. With its main campus residing in West Plains, Missouri, the health system offers a full spectrum of healthcare for all ages through its 114-bed hospital, behavioral health, therapies, pharmacies, rehabilitation, and home care services, along with specialty and family medicine clinics. Ozarks Healthcare has rural locations across an eight-county service area and is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations.

Emily Redfearn, FNP, inside the Ozarks Healthcare Zizzer Clinic