Officials from Joplin School and Freeman Health System cut the ribbon Tuesday on a new service that allows students to see a doctor at their school site. KRPS’s Fred Fletcher-Fierro has more.

In the early months of the pandemic, telemedicine exploded. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, in 2020, telehealth visits increased 63 fold. From approximately 840,000 in 2019 to nearly 53 million in 2020. Seeking to continue its skyrocketing use, students at Joplin’s McKinley Elementary received the district’s first telemedicine unit Tuesday. Freeman has plans to install the device in all 17 of the district’s schools over the next year.

Renee Denton with Freeman Neosho was on-hand at the Ribbon Cutting ceremony, saying quote, “The program supports parents, students, and school staff by offering an appointment with a medical provider, so students don’t have to leave the school building and parents don’t have to leave work.” unquote. Joplin Schools serves about 8,700 students. By spring break, telemedicine carts will also arrive at Memorial Education Center, Soaring Heights Elementary, and Joplin High School. For 89 9 KRPS, I’m Fred Fletcher-Fierro