Bridging the Health Gap: District Brings Telehealth Services to Lamont

Lamont Elementary School District (LESD) is making sure the health needs of all of its students are met, utilizing the latest technology through a partnership with Telehealth Docs Medical Group to bring wellness centers and telehealth services to all LESD schools in rural Lamont. Myrtle Avenue School hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony this week to open the first-of-its-kind Telehealth School Wellness Center.

Ribbon cutting and presentation of certificates of recognition.

The centers will provide primary and urgent care health services to students every day. They can visit the wellness center to consult with doctors virtually.

LESD Superintendent Lori Gonzalez says this brings a new level of care for students and the community. Kids who might otherwise miss school are able to talk to a professional and meet their health needs.

“All our students will have the medical services they need to thrive academically, emotionally and physically right here on campus,” she said.

Superintendent Lori Gonzalez, Telehealth Docs founder Quon Louey, and Principal Gloria Moreno.

Keeping up with health care is much more difficult in a rural area like Lamont, where families have to miss work and drive several miles just to visit a doctor’s office or clinic.

Quon Louey, executive director and founder of Telehealth Docs, says these telehealth services help bridge the gap for those without reliable care.

“In urban areas, you have access to care; in rural communities, they’re not readily available,” he said. “With our technology and with our resources, we can fill that void for the school district.”

Louey says he hopes to expand services to other rural school districts in Kern County and provide more extensive care. 

“This is literally just the beginning because we can provide mental health services, diabetes care, and so much more,” he said.

A demonstration of telehealth services inside the wellness center.

LESD used California Community Schools Partnership Program grant funding to open the wellness centers and expand services from their Family Resource and Learning Center.

Diane Baeza, community schools project coordinator for LESD, says the main goal is to bring the community into the schools to support the whole child, but it takes a team effort.

“We can’t do that alone,” she said. “We need parents, we need community, we need partnerships, all of us to really provide that holistic opportunity for our students to be successful.”  

To make an appointment with the wellness center or to access other resources and services, call the Lamont Elementary School District Family Resource and Learning Center at (661) 845-2724 or visit them online at lwfrc.org.