HOPE – Experience is an important concept for student health in the Hope Public Schools, and it is a key factor in the staffing of the Bobcat Clinic on the Hope High School campusas HPS recognizes during School-Based Health Clinic Month through February.
Operated through a collaboration between the Hope Public Schools, CABUN Rural Health Services, Inc., and Arkansas Counseling and Psychodiagnostics, daily operations are overseen by Bobcat Clinic Coordinator and Coordinated School Health Chair Gretchen Carlton, a Registered Nurse with 27 years of experience.
A native of Bodcaw in Nevada County, Carlton is a graduate of Nevada High School in Rosston, and she completed her nursing studies at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia.
“We are a well-rounded, full-functioning medical clinic,” Carlton explains. “Students can receive physical health care as well as behavioral health care within the walls of the Bobcat Clinic. This is what makes the Bobcat Clinic different from other clinics.”
The three-way partnership is a first for CABUN which envisions eventual availability not only of medical and behavioral health care services, but dental services as well.Bobcat Clinic services are available to all Hope Public Schools students, faculty, and staff.
“We have over 400 completed registration packets,” Carlton said. “Approximately 25 percent of those are district employees.”
There is a total of 28 years of experience among the four staff members directly related to CABUN medical health services.
Kristin Price is the Family Nurse Practitioner at the Bobcat Clinic.
A graduate of Spring Hill High School, with a BA in general studies from Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, a BS in nursing from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, and an MS in nursing from Walden University, Price hails from Hope.
“Being a part of a group that is willing and open to any opportunity that promotes excellence within the school and community is my favorite thing about being a part of the clinic,” Price said.
Certified Nursing Assistant and Customer Service Representative Liz Cato has 12 years of experience in medical health care.
“I am very thankful to be a part of something new, and having the opportunity to grow with the Bobcat Clinic,” Cato said.
Cato is a native of Spring Hill and graduate of SHHS, with a CNA certification from the University of Arkansas-Hope.
Licensed Professional Nurse Ravyn Powell is a three-year nurse from Spring Hill, who also graduated from SHHS and UAHT.
“I enjoy being a part of a community and school that supports one another and is always willing to lend a helping hand,” Powell said.
Julie Garcia has been a CABUN Customer Service Representative for three years and is a native of Texarkana, Texas, but a graduate of Hope High School.
“I got the opportunity to work for the Bobcat Clinic when it first started, and I am very thankful for that,” Garcia said.
Services generally offered through CABUN include general primary care, sports physicals, dietary and nutrition consultation, case management, laboratory screenings and ordered blood testing, vaccinations, and access to specialized services such as x-ray through other providers.
“The clinic and CABUN have been a great addition to our district,” Hope Superintendent Dr. Bobby Hart said. “Our goal for registration was met for the first term and we strongly encourage parents to register their children even if they do not intend to utilize the clinic.”
Services are provided without barriers that interrupt the student’s day completely, reduce emergency room visits, and provide students with needed information regarding their personal health.
“We have had countless situations where treatment and recovery were sped-up as a result of pre-registration,” Dr. Hart explained. “We know that we will continue to grow our clinic and services; and, again, want all of our families to take advantage of this opportunity.”
Behavior health services offered at the Bobcat Clinic are administered through ACaP, under the direction of Licensed Professional Counselor Yasmin Morgan.
“I currently serve as the school-based mental health therapist,” Morgan said.
She has been in the behavioral health field for 20 years, as well as having previous experience as a Hempstead County Juvenile Officer.
A native of Hope, Morgan is a 1995 graduate of Hope High School, who also holds a Master’s degree in counseling psychology.
“My favorite thing about being at Bobcat Clinic is it allows me to give back to the school and community in which I grew up,” she said.
Lakisha Stuckey recently received her licensure as an Associate Counselor with the intention to become a practicing therapist. She currently serves as a Qualified Behavioral Health Professional for ACaP, and has 16 years of experience in the profession. She is a native of Prescott, graduate of Prescott High School, and completed her undergraduate degree at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, and graduate studies at Capella University.
“I wasn’t raised a Bobcat, as I was born and raised a Curley Wolf,” Stuckey quipped. “However, I have enjoyed my time working with the Bobcat students, their parents and teachers since 2015. It has been a great experience.”
Qualified Behavioral Health Professional Erica Turner has practiced five years after receiving her Bachelor’s degree in psychology. Turner is a Hope native and graduate of HHS.
“My favorite thing about being a Bobcat is being able to give back what I received while attending Hope High School.”
Regular hours for the Bobcat Clinic school-based health center are from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday for medical services; and, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday for behavioral health services. The clinic is closed daily from 11-11:30 a.m. for lunch. The clinic’s nurse practitioner may not be on campus during regular hours, at times, but those times will be announced by Carlton. Contact Carlton at 777-3451 for services information.