Celebrating 50 Years of School-Based Health Centers
From our Executive Director, Shawna Hedlund
In the late 1960s, public acceptance of the radical notion that children had specific health behaviors and risks began to pave the way for school-based health centers in Minnesota. In 1973, the Maternal and Infant Care Project (MIC) opened at the St. Paul Ramsey Medical Center to improve outcomes for very young mothers and infants. When MIC opened and no one came, the empathetic practitioners realized their intended patients were in school just down the block. The Superintendent of Schools, OBGYN Chief of Staff, and multidisciplinary team of bold and innovative care providers decided to move their clinic into a broom closet at Mechanic Arts School in St. Paul Public Schools.
This integrated team of medical providers, nutritionists, social workers, and health educators paved the way for what would become the model for school-based health centers today.
St. Paul Ramsey Medical Center OBGYN Chief of Staff, Dr. Erick Hakanson, MIC Medical Director, Dr. Laura Edwards and St. Paul Public Schools Superintendent, George Young, were visionaries for adolescent health. They hired an interdisciplinary team; medical and behavioral health care providers, health educators, nutrition counselors, and clinical support staff attuned to the needs, language and culture of diverse students and families. This integrated model of care remains bedrock for school-based health centers 50 years later.
In the words of Connie Sheehan, Program Director, “I love the multidisciplinary approach. If a student sees a SBHC nutritionist and seems depressed, it is feasible for the student to see a mental health specialist during the same visit. SBHC’s are a model for healthcare for all.”
In 1986, MIC became Health Start, a model program in Minnesota. In 2004, Health Start merged with Minnesota Community Care and now provides integrated health services in ten of St. Paul’s senior highs. Minneapolis Schools followed shortly after and now have school-based clinics in most of their senior highs. Park Nicollet Foundation provides school-based health centers in four communities. Minnesota has since grown its network to 30 health centers with 10 healthcare organizations supporting the work over 50 years.
The unexpected outcome of simply moving toward patients was the mobilization of an expansive safety net for students across the nation. Now, over 2,500 clinics care for 2 million students across the United States inside of their schools where they spend their days.
Schools are seeking ways to respond to the pandemic and subsequent unmet medical, dental, and mental health needs among their students. The MN School-Based Health Alliance is here to respond.
In the past two years, health centers in our schools are emerging at an unprecedented rate after the founding of our Alliance. And in the last two years, we have successfully worked in partnership to establish a state program office at the Department of Health.
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From our Youth Program Leader, Faith Adeola:
The Minnesota School-Based Health Alliance is excited to announce our upcoming event, “Built on Trust: 50 Years of School-Based Health Centers in Minnesota.” This momentous celebration will take place on Thursday November 9, 2023 at the Minnesota Humanities Center, marking half a century of transformative healthcare and education equity for Minnesota youth.
For fifty years, School-Based Health Centers have been pillars of trust, offering accessible and comprehensive healthcare to students regardless of their backgrounds or circumstances. School-Based Health centers lay a crucial role in ensuring students have the opportunity to thrive both in their health and their education.
We are excited to share that this event coincides with a significant milestone in the growth of school-based health centers. The MN Legislature recently signed a groundbreaking bill into law defining School-Based Health Centers, establishing a state program office, and securing grants for school-based health center initiatives.
The event will pay tribute to the enduring trust that has fueled this transformative journey and honor the commitment of school-based health centers to continue creating safe and inclusive environments that empower students' access to care, find support and embrace healthier lifestyles with confidence.
This 50 Year Celebration, “Built on Trust,'' highlights the trust that youth place in their care at SBHCs, the trust that educators and clinic staff have placed in one another, and the trust that legislators have in the school-based care vision.
We invite the entire community to join us for this incredible celebration as we celebrate 50 years of building trust, fostering health and creating pathways to brighter futures.
Thank you!
Shawna Hedlund, Executive Director
Shawna is a collaborative, relational leader who is rooted in community-led, intersectional approaches to student wellbeing. Her career has spanned public education, public health, and public policy, leading her to a strong belief that healthcare access fosters education equity.
Connie Sheehan, Program Manager
Connie’s key strengths include ethical, credible, and trustworthy leadership; clear and effective communication in written and verbal presentations; and an energetic drive to create and build positive change for students.
Faith Adeola, Youth Program Leader
Faith's dedicated career has revolved around shaping the health landscape for communities, exemplifying her unwavering commitment to the field of public health. Her work in program development underscores her talent for innovative solutions, while her advocacy efforts highlight her passion for driving positive policy changes. Throughout her journey, Faith has continuously centered the voices of those she serves, prioritizing inclusivity and equity in all her endeavors. Faith earned her Masters in Public Health from George Washington University.