ECPPS & Sentara Hold Telehealth Clinic Ribbon Cutting

ECPPS and Sentara Celebrate Opening of Telehealth Clinic at Pasquotank County High School

Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools, in partnership with Sentara Albemarle Medical Center, celebrated the opening of the new Telehealth Clinic at Pasquotank County High School with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, May 7.

The Telehealth Clinic is designed to expand access to healthcare services for ECPPS students and staff through on-site telehealth services and virtual visits with medical professionals during school hours. Students and staff will be able to see a licensed medical doctor or nurse practitioner during the telehealth session. The clinic will support student and staff wellness while helping reduce barriers to healthcare access within the school community.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony brought together school leaders, healthcare partners, community members, and local officials to celebrate the collaboration and the clinic's impact on students and families across ECPPS.

“One of our commitments as a school system is to bring the things our families need under the roof of the schoolhouse,” said Dr. Keith Parker, superintendent of Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools. “This partnership is about opening access to healthcare for our students, staff, and families, and making sure young people have the support they need to succeed.”

The event also highlighted the partnership between ECPPS and Sentara, who worked together to bring the clinic to Pasquotank County High School as part of a shared commitment to student wellness and access to care.

“This partnership is about making healthcare more accessible for students, staff, and working families,” said Teresa Watson, president of Sentara Albemarle Medical Center. “When care is available right on campus, it removes barriers and creates opportunities for people to get the support they need in real time.”

Pasquotank County High School Principal Delishia Moore said the clinic represents an important resource for the school community.

“For many families, taking time away from work or spending hours waiting for an appointment can be difficult,” said Moore. “Having access to healthcare services right here on campus helps remove some of those barriers while providing support in a way that is convenient and accessible for our students and staff.”

The event included remarks from distinguished guests, a telehealth demonstration from the Sentara Community Care Team, and a ceremonial ribbon-cutting. During the telehealth demonstration, attendees were able to view a volunteer patient receive an exam that included checking vital signs and overall physical health.

When students or staff visit the telehealth clinic, a licensed nurse will be in the room to facilitate the session. A medical doctor or practitioner will join the session virtually, diagnose the staff or student, and recommend treatment or prescribe medication. Staff and students will have access to real-time care within the school.

A generous contribution from Truist Bank made the launch of the telehealth clinic possible. Truist representatives Annalisa Morgan, Senior Vice-President and Albemarle Area Market President, and Mark Johnson, SVP and Director of Community Development, were present at the ribbon-cutting and reiterated Truist Bank's commitment to supporting access to healthcare in rural areas such as Elizabeth City.

While the telehealth clinic is launching at Pasquotank County High School, ECPPS and Sentara have goals to expand additional clinics in the future. The remainder of this school year will serve as a pilot program, and the lab will open to full access in August.

The Telehealth Clinic represents a continued commitment to supporting the health, wellness, and success of ECPPS students and staff.