School Health Advocates of the Month — October 2022

Thank you for your dedication to closing the gaps in children’s healthcare!

School Health Professionals and the facilitators of our SchoolMed program are those making a difference in the lives of so many students in our partner districts. Goodside Health is able to continue to close the gaps in children’s healthcare because of partners like you. Each month we want to highlight stories of those who are making a difference in their school and community through the SchoolMed program.

When we think of individuals that make a true impact in their schools through SchoolMed, nurses like Arianna Cortez and Adriana Montoya at IDEA Mission in Texas come to mind. They are true advocates for their students because they know the value of SchoolMed in getting their students back to health and back in the classroom. Together they have helped to close almost 200 gaps in children’s healthcare this school year! We want to congratulate Nurse Montoya and Cortez on going above and beyond with the SchoolMed program at IDEA Mission and helping close the gaps in children’s healthcare each day.


What do you like about your job? 

“I love being a school nurse. I love the little happy faces I get to see every day. I love to know that we don’t just have to send kids back to the classroom when they’re feeling sick [with SchoolMed]. They [parents] don’t have to worry about getting an excuse for school. Parents love that! 

“The [SchoolMed] providers are wonderful. It’s great that they speak Spanish because the kids feel more at ease.” 

—Arianna Cortez 


What has partnering with Goodside Health looked like? 

The SchoolMed team “brings us everything we need. We’ve been so busy we’ve been running out of medication, and Erika and Shannon have been awesome. They’re accessible to us.” 

—Adrianna Montoya  


How has SchoolMed worked for your campus?  

“Last year, I would have had to send the kids home. This affected the attendance for our students. This year, it’s different because parents like it [SchoolMed] – they like having the access to care. I love to know that we don’t just have to send kids back to the classroom when they’re feeling sick. They don’t have to worry about getting an excuse for school. Parents love that!”  

—Arianna Cortez 


What has been the reception of SchoolMed from parents in your community? 

“Parents are loving this! They’re so happy that we offer the program, and as soon as they hear about it, they want to sign up. [They] don’t have to go to the doctor’s office, especially right now with strep picking up so much. We are containing things like strep and COVID since we get to catch it with the program.” 

—Adrianna Montoya 

About Goodside Health

Goodside Health is advancing the delivery of pediatric care by partnering with communities to provide access to telehealth, mental health, and well-care services at school, at home, and in the clinic. Relentless advocates for expanding access to care and promoting health equity, Goodside Health leverages a Whole-Child Approach to care and lives our mission of closing gaps in children’s healthcare through innovation and execution. To learn more about Goodside Health, please visit www.goodsidehealth.com.