• Parent’s Guide to Toomer’s NEW School-Based Health Center

    Welcome to Toomer’s NEW School-Based Health Center! Through a partnership with the Whitefoord Health Center, Toomer is able to offer on-site healthcare services exclusively for Toomer students. With access to a pediatrician and a dentist, their goal is to make quality healthcare convenient for your family and keep our students healthy and ready to learn. Our brand new clinic (including a waiting/reception area, exam room, dental room, and medical storage space) is located in the administrative office suite at Toomer. Check out a quick video tour here: INSERT LINK.

    How It Works

    1. Consent Form Required

    2. Making Appointments

    3. Services Provided

      • The health center can provide additional care that the school nurse cannot, and students can be referred to the clinic directly from a visit to the school nurse. 

      • For more specialized needs, referrals can be made to the main clinic at Whitefoord Inc., located nearby on Hosea Williams Drive SE.

    4. Parent Presence

      • Parents are welcome to attend appointments but are not required to be on site.

    The Role of the School Nurse vs. the Health Center

    What the School Nurse Can Treat:

    • Daily medication administration

    • Minor cuts and scrapes

    • Headaches or stomach aches

    • Ice packs for bumps and bruises

    • Basic first aid

    What the Clinic Can Treat:

    • Illnesses requiring a doctor’s evaluation (e.g., persistent fever, severe sore throat)

    • Injuries needing further assessment (e.g., suspected sprains or fractures)

    • Chronic condition management (e.g., asthma care beyond medication administration)

    • Dental concerns (e.g., tooth pain, routine cleanings)

    • Sports physicals, wellness check-ups, and yearly exams

    Complementary, Not a Replacement

    The school-based health center is designed to provide convenient, supplemental care for students during the school day. It does not replace your child’s regular pediatrician or dentist. We encourage families to continue regular visits with their primary healthcare providers for ongoing care, immunizations, and specialized treatments. The health center can help with immediate needs and routine check-ups but works best in partnership with your family’s existing healthcare providers.

    What You Need to Know

    • Communication: Parents will be updated throughout the treatment process including when their child has been sent to the clinic, the findings of the exam, recommended next steps, etc.

    • Eligibility: Services are available exclusively for Toomer students (no parents or siblings).

    • Insurance: Most private insurances are accepted along with Medicaid and Medicare. A sliding fee scale is also offered.

    • Options beyond Toomer: Whitefoord operates school-based health clinics (SBHCs) in two other metro Atlanta schools: King Middle School in Grant Park and KIPP Woodson Park Academy on Atlanta’s westside. They also operate a primary clinic in Edgewood that all Toomer families (parents, siblings, etc) are welcome to visit.

    Convenience for Parents

    We know your time is valuable, and our school-based health center is here to make life easier for you:

    • No Need to Leave Work: Parents don’t need to take time off to bring their child to the doctor or dentist.

    • In-School Appointments: For pre-scheduled visits, students can be pulled from class for their appointment and returned immediately after—no interruptions to your day.

    • Accessible Care: With providers on site during school hours, your child can receive care right here at Toomer without the need for additional travel or missed school time.

    Meet Our Providers

    Dr. Green, Pediatrician: Available Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8 AM - 12 PM

    Services include:

    • Sports physicals

    • Wellness visits and yearly check-ups

    • Escalated treatment for injuries or illnesses

    More about Dr. Green

    Dr. Tasha Green, MD, FAAP received her MD from the Morehouse School of Medicine and completed her pediatric residency at Mercer University School of Medicine. Dr. Green was awarded as Xavier University of Louisiana's Atlanta Alumni Chapter's Alumna of the Year for 2019. She has been a pediatric care provider in a variety of settings.

     

    Dr. Patten, Dentist: Available Mondays and Wednesdays, 8 AM - 12 PM
    Services include:

    • Routine cleanings

    • Dental check-ups

    More about Dr. Patten

    Dr. Karyl C. Patten, DDS, MPH, JM., FACD has provided oral health to the underserved for more than twenty years. As Dental Director for Whitefoord, Inc., and Assistant Professor at Emory University School of Medicine, Dr. Patten has transformed the way we deliver public health dental care.

    Help Us Grow the Health Center Services

    The more students and families utilize the health center, the greater the opportunity for us to expand our services! Increased usage could help us justify extending hours, adding more days of availability, and bringing in our providers even more frequently. We encourage you to take full advantage of this valuable resource to ensure it continues to grow and meet the needs of our school community.

    Questions? Contact Ms. Shanna

    Ms. Shanna, our health center coordinator, is here to assist with any questions you may have about services, consent forms, or scheduling. 

    More about Ms. Shana:

    My name is Aushana White, and I am the new School-Based Coordinator for the Whitefoord Health Center at Toomer Elementary. I bring a diverse background with nearly 8 years of experience in education, along with extensive work in nonprofit and outreach settings. I've had the privilege of working with various populations, including the homeless, immigrants, domestic violence survivors, and at-risk youth.

    I am a proud alumna of Georgia State University, where I earned a degree in Secondary Education. Currently, I am preparing to attend graduate school next fall, where I plan to pursue a Master’s degree in Urban Studies. My goal is to use this degree to make a meaningful impact in the communities I serve, including Decatur, East Lake, Kirkwood, and Edgewood.

    My ultimate ambition is to start my own nonprofit organization focused on supporting both parents and youth in our communities. I believe in the power of providing resources and information to families in need. I am passionate about addressing social challenges by ensuring that everyone has access to the tools they need to create positive change.

    I am incredibly excited to serve the families and students at Toomer Elementary. I am committed to doing everything in my power to ensure that the students here have access to high-quality healthcare, resources, and vital information. My dedication is to their well-being and success, and I am honored to be part of this important work.

    Email : aushana.white@whitefoord.org