NYU opens neighborhood school clinic

A ribbon cutting ceremony celebrated the official opening of the NYU Langone school based health clinic for both Harbor Middle School and Summit Academy Charter School. The clinic is a free resource that will provide medical primary healthcare for students so that all of their medical needs will be met in the building.

This clinic was an idea going back to 2022 but it took several years to apply, renovate the space and wait for final approval from NY state.

“In addition to first aid visits, we can now provide vaccines, physicals and referrals,” Angel Cruz said.

“We also manage chronic illnesses, so we can help students with asthma, diabetes or any disease that they need daily medication for.

For more involved care, they will make referrals to the NYU family health center at 168 Van Brunt Street.

“The only thing we do require for students to utilize these services is a consent packet that gives us permission to see the student,” Cruz said.

The clinic has multiple exam beds for physicals, vaccine units to store the vaccines properly. There are a lot of medical supplies and equipment.

Larry McReynolds, who is the executive director of the family health centers, thanked Harbor Middle School Principal Priscilla Figueroa for her vision that they are making a reality.

“This school is a resource for the community and she has that vision and that drive to make it happen,” McReynolds said.

“You can only have a healthy community if you have healthy children and healthy schools,” McReynolds said. “This is a first step in helping make that dream come true.”

Council member Alexa Aviles was excited to support the students. She thanked the executive director and his team for making sure the students are being taken care of. She also gave praise to Principal Figueroa. “Those who care for our health and wellness are beautiful people,” Aviles said.

Beverly Thomas has a son in the sixth grade at Harbor and a daughter who previously attended the school. She appreciates principal Figueroa for how she cares for her child just like how she cares for hers.

Karen Broughton, who is on the board of trustees of the NYU Langone family health centers, also spoke. “I was born here, raised here, This is going to drastically change lives,” Broughton said. “I am so glad the future generation in Red Hook is going to be well cared for by NYU Langone”

The health clinic for Harbor Middle School and Summit Academy is one of 22 school sites that NYU runs with funding from the State and City.