Gresham-Barlow School District to open student health center

Wallace will provide no-cost medical, behavioral health, and dental services to students

The Gresham-Barlow School District will open a student health center October 8. Wallace, a federally qualified health provider, will provide free healthcare services for all students in the district. 

The center is located at 1133 N. Main St. across the street from Gresham High School. It will provide services from 9 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday. 

“Without healthcare, many students miss large parts of their education and often fall behind in learning,” said Superintendent Hiu. “This student health center will allow our students to get the care they need without missing as much school. Access to healthcare is foundational for students to attend school regularly, engage positively, and succeed academically.”

The center’s healthcare providers will focus on supporting students’ mental and physical well-being. Wallace’s student-centered approach is designed to meet the unique developmental needs of the community's students.

The community is invited to a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the center’s grand opening. The ceremony will take place on Oct. 2, 2024, at 3 p.m. 

The center features three exam rooms to provide primary care, vaccinations, health screenings, sports physicals, and, eventually, dental care. Students can access mental health services in the center’s behavioral health room. 

The center will have 3-5 staff members working a rotating schedule. Roles include medical provider, behavioral health provider, medical assistant, receptionist/scheduler, and clinic manager. Dental staff (hygienist, dental assistant) will be added later in the year.

The $3 million building is 2500 square feet and includes a lobby with comfortable seating, an area where students can plug in their devices, and a large interactive magnetic mural designed by GBSD students. 

The Gresham-Barlow School District has been working to establish a student health center for many years. 

The district conducted a planning process that included outreach to the community. The district identified Wallace as the provider of medical services. 

The land the center sits on was donated to the district by the Malcolm family.  

With support from state lawmakers Senator Chris Gorsek and Representative Ricki Ruiz, the school district received funds from the American Recovery from Pandemic Act (ARPA) to construct the building. Later, Gorsek and Ruiz provided additional funds from the state of Oregon when the cost to build the center rose sharply due to inflation. 

After a planning process that included outreach to the community,

the district identified Wallace as the provider of medical services. 

Wallace is a non-profit community health center in East Multnomah County that is “health home base” for individuals and families who face barriers to care. Wallace’s multicultural staff partner fully with patients to improve their well-being. 

If you are interested in learning more about the center and the services offered, contact Katrina Ratzlaff @KatrinaRmywallace.org.