Big Rapids Public Schools has a new program that is unique in this part of the state – a school nurse. Superintendent Tim Haist says it's been a long time coming.

 

“We've not had a school nurse in as long as I can remember ever.”

 

Haist says a lack of school nurses in Michigan means BRPS is one of the few schools on the northwest side of the state that has a school nurse. He introduced their new employee at a recent BRPS board meeting.

 

“We're very fortunate to have Mary Underhill with us. She's a Big Rapids graduate as well, so we're very excited to bring her back to Big Rapids. She's in charge of all of our schools and the schools in Reed City as well.”

 

Underhill is an employee of Spectrum Health in partnership with Big Rapids Public Schools and Reed City Public Schools. Haist says she splits her time between the two school districts.

 

“She's two days a week in Reed City, two days a week in Big Rapids, the alternates every other Friday.”

 

However, Haist explains that with technology, Underhill is able to be on-call all the time.

 

“If there's an issue in Reed City and she's down in Big Rapids, they're able to use the Med Now network which will allow her to have access to their students at the same time that she's on site here.”

 

Med Now allows Underhill real-time access to either Big Rapids or Reed City school students using a webcam across the internet.

 

Haist notes that having Underhill on staff will give peace of mind to both parents and students, particularly those with significant medical needs.

 

Underhill will also help with the school's medical emergency response teams and will monitor all of the district's health plans.