Indy Standard

The 2024–25 academic year was significant for Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) as the district made notable advancements in student health services. Through the Rebuilding Stronger initiative, IPS Health Services aimed to provide consistent healthcare support across all schools. Dr. Megan Carlson, director of Health Services and School Nurse Administrator of the Year, noted that IPS achieved full nurse coverage across its schools, surpassing both national and urban district averages.

Over three years, Carlson's team added 19 full-time school nurses, five PRN nurses for flexible support, and two district health coordinators. The district also reduced its reliance on temporary staffing agencies to ensure sustainable in-house care.

IPS partnered with three local health organizations to maintain school-based health centers at 20 campuses. These centers offered a range of services from physical exams to immunizations and lab testing. “We saw over 75,000 student visits this year,” said Carlson. She emphasized that today's school nurses play an essential role beyond treating minor injuries by supporting students' readiness to learn.

Carlson highlighted that school nurses address various health needs impacting academic performance. They manage chronic conditions like asthma and diabetes, administer medications, respond to illnesses and injuries, monitor mental health concerns, and conduct important screenings.

School nurses are pivotal in connecting families with healthcare systems and advocating for health equity while working closely with educators to foster a supportive environment.

Carlson reported a busy year with:

- 24,462 acute care visits

- 17,110 chronic care visits

- 33,466 medication support visits

IPS received the School Immunization Champion Award from the Indiana Immunization Coalition due to its leadership in public health efforts. By hosting vaccine clinics at schools, they significantly reduced the number of students behind on immunizations from over 7,100 in August 2024 to under 2,900 by May 2025.

Social worker Yvonne Hollins earned the Immunization Equity Champion Award for her outreach efforts aiding underserved communities with vaccine access.

“These recognitions affirm the district’s commitment to equity, access, and the health of every child we serve,” stated Dr. Carlson. With a $296,000 grant from Marion County Public Health Department funding their immunization program launch aimed at improving vaccination rates among students.

As IPS continues focusing on student well-being through integrated healthcare solutions within education settings—this past year stands as an example showcasing possibilities when both sectors collaborate effectively accordingly remarked Dr.Carlson