MCSM’s School-Based Health Center

Dr. Arden at MCSM’s Student Clinic

By Soyoung Kim

Did you know that MCSM has a school-based Health Center?

Our school offers many health services at no cost. I interviewed Martha Arden, the on-site doctor at our basement clinic. She was kind enough to answer some questions about our student health center and how it functions.

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Q: Please explain what services Mount Sinai offers MCSM students?

Dr. Arden: Mount Sinai operates six school-based health centers in NYC. The oldest, at MCSM, was started about 40 years ago, when MCSM was still Benjamin Franklin HS. The services they provided were: physical examinations for sports and securing working papers, immunizations, diagnosis and treatment of acute illnesses or injuries, the management of chronic disease, mental health services, and reproductive health services such as testing for STDs and pregnancy.

Q: What interventions were made during the initial spread of Covid-19? Did lots of students reach out?

Dr. Arden: During Covid-19, the center underwent a very difficult time as they met with very few patients and 80 percent of the usual patients decreased! When the school went completely remote, the center still opened three days a week although very few visited. The social worker worked closely with the school to connect for mental health services. However, there were no medical services during the worst periods of Covid-19. The state normally requires a 75 percent enrollment rate in the program, however they were way under the recommended student enrollment rate.

Q: Where is the center located? What times and days can students visit?

Dr. Arden: It is located at B16 in MCSM’s basement. Students can visit from Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m to 3:30 p.m. However, when it is not open, such as on school vacations, students are able to receive the same services at the Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center, located at 312 East 94th Street in Manhattan, with no cost regardless of your type of insurance or immigration status.

Q: Can you briefly explain who is in your office? What is each of their roles?

Dr. Arden: There is a team of three people: a medical technician, a social worker, and a doctor. The medical technician has been working for almost 20 years. She assesses what is going on, checks vital signs, draws blood, calls students if needed at the front desk. The social worker, Lisette Barcia, provides mental health services to students as well as working with families and parents. The doctor mainly diagnoses injuries, proceeds with the physical evaluation, and gives immunization injections.

Q: How long has Mount Sinai been active inside MCSM? For what purpose was a Mount Sinai clinic implemented in MCSM?

Dr. Arden: Mount Sinai has been in MCSM since the days it was known as Benjamin Franklin High School. After a reorganization effort, it became Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics, but the health center has been there for around 40 years. The city departments of Health and Education provided funding for the establishment of Mount Sinai at the school.

Q: Are there any opportunities for MCSM students to collaborate or work with the clinic? Are there any previous students who have helped in the office?

Dr. Arden: Students are not allowed to work in the office directly with other students for confidentiality reasons. However, they can help out by participating in the MCSM Student Health Center Ambassador Club, which helps the staff to determine student needs, learn about health care, and increase awareness of health centers through special projects. The program was on hold during the pandemic but we hope to resume it soon.

Q: What is the biggest difficulty/obstacle involved in working at a school?

Dr. Arden: The biggest difficulty currently is finding staff who can work here permanently. Other than that, I love my job!

Q: What is the difference between providing medical services at a school and at an actual hospital?

Dr. Arden: The main difference is that the school-based health center is isolated. In the hospitals, they are surrounded by lots of people working together with colleagues, physician assistants, psychologists, and nurses in order to have support and backup. On the other hand, since there are only three people here at school, we have to call others or do things for ourselves. Moreover, we cannot do x-rays and have to send those who are severely injured to hospitals.

Q: Is it stressful work?

Dr. Arden: It is sometimes stressful because we may be called upstairs for an emergency, as no one knows know what might happen. Other than that, I enjoy my job very much.

Q: How does the funding work? Is it determined by the DOE?

Dr. Arden: The funding comes from the New York State Department of Health, Medicaid, and charitable contributions. Students are not charged for any service no matter their insurance or immigration status.

Q: Do you have any last words of advice?

Dr. Arden: Please fill out the parental consent form so that you can receive our services!