CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Chillicothe City Schools has opened its school-based health clinic — reported as the final clinic to open through Gov. Mike DeWine’s Appalachian Children’s Health Initiative, bringing medical care directly to students on campus.
The 1,300-square-foot clinic sits inside the district’s enrollment center on the High School–Middle School campus in Chillicothe, adjacent to the high school gymnasium. Built with a $662,130 grant under the initiative — part of the larger Appalachian Community Grant Program — the clinic offers primary care alongside mental health, dental and nutrition services.
A two-person medical team from Adena Health staffs the clinic, rotating across partner clinics in Ross County. The clinic serves students and school staff as well as community members, with referrals into a broader specialty-care network. The goal: expand healthcare access and eliminate transportation barriers in Appalachian Ohio.
Chillicothe is the latest Ross County district to benefit from the initiative. Adena Local previously secured $5.75 million for its Warrior Wellness Center, with Huntington Local, Pickaway-Ross CTC and Union-Scioto also receiving awards in the same rollout.
District officials say school-based clinics cut down on missed class time and catch health issues earlier, especially in rural communities where provider shortages are common. The Chillicothe clinic is now open and accepting students, staff and community members.