b'Dr. John Jenkins, head of the Telehealth program at Cone Health (left), speaks with Dr. Jonathan Brooks, principal at Bessemer Elementary.A practical financial model makesit sustainable for the long term.Since the telehealth clinic at Bessemer opened, KaleesiThe Cone Health Telehealth Clinic at Bessemer Elementary started has turned to the CMA two times. One visit involvedas the flagship program in 2021, with funding from the Duke a sore throat. Over a three-way video call, KaleesisEndowment. Support for the expansion will be possible through a mother and a Cone Health doctor watched as Kimmix of private and public dollars, including the $2.2 million Guilford Gordon, the telepresenter, used a device to show themCounty commissioners approved using COVID-19 federal relief the inside of Kaleesis throat and listened to her heartdollars. Fundraising needs include additional money for start-up using the electronic stethoscope.costs and rolling out the program across all 51 Title I elementary When the nurse put this stethoscope to my daughter, schools, stocking the clinics and hiring CMAs as the program we could both hear her heartbeat, and I was like, Isexpands. Donors can help provide the necessary technology and that my little girls heartbeat?, Christina says. Whenstaff to make this initiative a success.they looked at her throat, it was like, wow, its amazingGuilford Education Alliance (GEA) helps coordinate philanthropy how we can all see firsthand whats going on in there.for the project. We just have to get through these hard parts of As a parent, the technology gives you a closer look in a televisit than you get in an in-person visit. implementation, but we have so much good will and everybody at the table saying this is exactly what can make a big difference in Visits like these keep parents informed about theiroutcomes for kids, says Winston McGregor, GEA president.childs health while efficiently treating symptoms, keeping students in school and allowing parents to remain at work: a win-win for all.Over time, Cone Healths larger vision is to expand school-based telehealth with evenJoin the community-wide effortmore support options; specifically, mental health access and care options for teachersto support school-based telehealth.and staff members. Ultimately, the mission: to make the whole school, and by extensionContact Michelle Schneider, VP & Chief Philanthropy Officerthe whole community, healthier. michelle.schneider@conehealth.com or 336.832.9458 the giving effect 2022-2323'