YOUNGSTOWN, OH, February 14, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- As student absenteeism and health disparities continue to rise across the country, healthcare leader Lena Esmail is urging school districts, parents, and policymakers to expand access to school-based health clinics.

Esmail, a nurse practitioner and the CEO of QuickMed, says these clinics aren't just convenient—they are critical to improving attendance, closing health gaps, and supporting students who would otherwise fall through the cracks.

"When we opened our first school clinic, students were missing class for untreated asthma and infections. Within a few months, we saw kids staying in school, getting care earlier, and teachers telling us the difference was noticeable," Esmail said.

Why It Matters
According to the CDC, over 7 million students miss more than 15 days of school each year—a rate that defines chronic absenteeism. Much of that is due to preventable or treatable health issues.

At the same time, 1 in 5 children in the U.S. experience a mental health disorder each year, and most never receive care. School-based clinics provide a direct way to address both physical and mental health needs—without requiring families to take time off work or navigate complicated systems.

"We're not talking about luxury care," Esmail said. "We're talking about keeping kids in school with basic medical access—strep tests, asthma checks, mental health screenings, and follow-up support."

Esmail's company, QuickMed, currently operates clinics in schools across multiple Ohio cities including Liberty, Akron, Ravenna, and Austintown. The model uses nurse practitioners as frontline providers, offering care directly on-site during school hours.

A recent internal report from one district showed a 30% drop in preventable absences after QuickMed began operating a part-time clinic on campus.

What's Getting in the Way
While the benefits are clear, Esmail says there are still major barriers keeping this solution from scaling.
Funding: Many schools don't have the budget to start or sustain health clinics.
Staffing: There's a shortage of providers willing to work in non-traditional settings.
Policy: Some states restrict nurse practitioners from operating independently.
Awareness: Parents and school boards often don't know what services are available—or how much they help.

"Sometimes, we get calls from superintendents who say, 'We just found out 40% of our students have no regular access to healthcare.' That's the kind of realization that leads to real change," Esmail noted.

What You Can Do Right Now
Esmail believes everyone—from parents to employers—has a role to play. Her recommendations:
Parents: Ask your school if there's an on-site or partner clinic. If not, request one.
Teachers and staff: Talk about the impact of student health on learning outcomes.
Local leaders: Consider using local ARPA, ESSER, or county health funds to pilot school-based care.
Healthcare providers: Explore partnerships with districts to offer mobile or part-time services.
Policymakers: Support full-practice authority for nurse practitioners to help expand access in care deserts.

"You don't have to build a big clinic to make a difference," Esmail said. "Start with a room. Start with a nurse. That alone changes lives."

If You Only Remember One Thing
School-based clinics are not a "nice to have"—they're a proven strategy for keeping students healthy, in class, and on track. Communities don't have to wait for big policy shifts. Change can start with one room, one provider, one student at a time.

"We've seen the model work," Esmail added. "Now it's time to scale it."

Lena Esmail is a board-certified nurse practitioner and the CEO of QuickMed, an Ohio-based healthcare company focused on urgent care, primary care, and school-based clinics. With clinical training and executive leadership experience, she is a vocal advocate for community-based care and healthcare equity across underserved populations. Esmail lives in the Mahoning Valley and leads QuickMed operations across multiple cities and school districts.

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