LAS VEGAS (FOX5) -- East Las Vegas has long been considered a medical desert, an area of our community that struggles to find reliable healthcare options nearby.
That's why UNLV launched a pilot program to bring more services to the east valley.
"We recognize that this area is a medically underserved area. There are not a lot of pediatricians in this area, so a lot of the kids would have to travel farther to get health care," said Lyanna Lafredo, UNLV assistant professor of pediatrics. "We decided to have this clinic here so that we can provide that care for patients living in this area."
Lafredo is also a pediatrician working in the health clinic that was placed at Bailey Middle School during the 2022-23 school year.
The services the facility offers go beyond a standard checkup. They offer sports physicals, treat sports injuries like concussions, as well as handle immunization appointments and behavioral health concerns.
"We can see sick kids. We have a way to test if they have strep, COVID or flu," Lafredo said. "If they have asthma and they need a prescription for their albuterol, I can give them that prescription. I also have several patients come in with mental health issues and need psychiatric care."
According to UNLV, more than 360 students and their siblings utilized the health clinic last year. Parents have been thankful to have a place closer to home to take their kids for treatment.
"We had to quickly get my daughter a sports physical to start cheerleading," Andrea Newberry said. "Her doctor's office is 35-40 minutes away, depending on the traffi,c so this is just perfect."
FOX5 first reported on the health clinic in 2023 when the clinic expanded access to nearby schools. Bailey Middle School's principal, Danielle Duterte, said recently that two more schools were added to the list.
"We were able to service students at Sunrise Mountain High School, Hickey Elementary, Mountain View Elementary, and Helen Hur. And we've recently expanded to include Mojave and Eldorado as well," Duterte said.
Duterte told FOX5 the nearest pediatric office is six miles away from Bailey Middle School. Of the six schools the principal mentioned, five of them are within 3.5 miles of the BMS health clinic. The purpose behind the expansion was to hopefully build more foot traffic and awareness so families know they have a nearby medical resource to utilize.
"When it first opened, it was a little clunky with appointments and things like that, but they've definitely smoothed things out, and parents have given us great feedback," Duterte said. "I'm just happy to partner with those principals to make sure that their kids are getting their needs met."
Lafredo also emphasized the point of getting the word out, believing the health clinic still isn't very well known.
"If they are aware that this clinic is here, then they will come... I don't know if a lot of patients in this area or kids in this area are aware that this clinic is here," Lafredo said.
Bailey Middle School keeps an updated list of services provided at its health clinic. Click here to learn more.