PROGRAM:
Rtn. Dr. Pete Wallace introduced Susie Poulton, one of the initial founders of the Healthy Kids School-Based Clinics and a constant advocate for underserved children in our community. Susie is a two-time graduate of the University of Iowa (BSN and MSN) and is a certified pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Susie retired from the Iowa City Community School District last year and will soon be moving to Colorado.
Healthy Kids began 12 years ago with the goal of improving access to healthcare for children. Access to healthcare is recognized as a major barrier to learning. Some barriers that children experience to receiving adequate healthcare include: having no health insurance or inadequate insurance, lack of understanding of language and the healthcare system, lack of transportation, and an inadequate number of mental healthcare providers.
The Clinics are available to serve all children in Johnson County from birth to high school graduation. The Clinics were first housed at the University of Iowa Medical School, but are better able to serve children in local schools. There are now three permanent clinics at Northwest Junior High, South East Junior High, and City High Schools. The Clinics provide a wide range of health care services including Well-Child visits and immunizations, mental healthcare, dental and vision visits, and referrals to specialty outpatient services.
Healthy Kids is community supported, funded by a collaboration between the Iowa City Community School District, United Way of Johnson & Washington Counties, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, community healthcare providers, and community donations. The need for these free Clinics grows each year.
Salome Phillmann is a Program Coordinator for Healthy Kids, and like all Coordinators, is fluent in Spanish. Salome is also fluent in several other languages and has served the Clinics for three years. Salome some shared inspiring stories of children served by the Healthy Kids School-Based Clinics.
The meeting ended at 1:00 PM as President Jim Conard led the assembly in reciting The Four Way Test.
MEETING:
Visiting Rotarians included: Amy Nicholson (Iowa City AM); Phil Peterson (Iowa City AM); Hazel Seaba (Iowa City AM); Nancy Pacha (Iowa City AM); Brian Clemons (Iowa City AM); Susie Poulton (Iowa City AM); Gary Wicklund (Vale, CO); and Bill Matthews (Schaumburg, IL AM).
Guests of Rotarians: Sonia Ettinger (Ron Ettinger); Liu Hong (Ron Ettinger); Bill Easton (Ryan Bell); Russ Ganim (John Culshaw); Salome Phillmann (Susie Poulton); Alissa Brandt Drew (Ryan Bell); Michele Presley (Ryan Bell).
Program: Devin van Holsteijn; Attendance: Nancy Droll
Please forward any newsworthy items and/or photos to Jon Brown or Janice Baldes to include in the weekly slide decks emailed to members prior to each meeting and shown just before Rotary meetings at the Club. You can send information to: Janice Baldes janicebaldes@gmail.com or Jon Brown at mjonBrown@taxesplusiowacity.com
It is our policy to have all members silence their cell phones before the meeting and refrain from answering their cell phones during the meeting out of respect to the speaker and fellow members.
