With HealthFirst partnership, Diman Regional opening first School-Based Health Center in Greater Fall River area

Fall River, MA (February 20, 2024)– HealthFirst Family Care Center Inc. and Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School have announced a unique partnership by opening the first School-Based Health Center in the Greater Fall River area on Monday, March 4, 2024.

The School-Based Health Center at Diman will offer primary care services provided by medical doctors and family nurse practitioners. HealthFirst’s Chief Medical Officer Eric R. Vaught, DO, MBA, MPH, FACHE, in addition to providing medical care, will also provide administrative and medical oversight. “Many adolescent children in the Greater Fall River area do not have access to a primary care provider for chronic and acute medical issues, therefore, I am glad to see this partnership with Diman move forward as a first step towards HealthFirst meeting this specific need in our community,” said HealthFirst CMO, Dr. Eric Vaught.

In addition to primary care, the school-based health center will provide integrated mental health and counseling services, as well as nutrition therapy, chronic disease care management, preventive health screenings, and testing and vaccination services.  All services are provided free of charge for the students at Diman.

When asked, HealthFirst’s Chief Operating Officer, Linda Medeiros said, “We have been looking to open a school-based health center in the Southcoast since 2021. We began working with our local elected officials to secure funding, laying down the groundwork for the perfect location and initiating relationships with the leadership and school committees. We are beyond happy to finally announce the opening of a school-based health center at Diman. We look forward to supporting the students of Diman and the Greater Fall River area.”

“Diman remains committed to being the school system our students and families need us to be – a world-class educational institution that meets the needs of the whole child. Healthcare is a human right. This historic partnership with Health First, the first of its kind in the area, will provide equitable healthcare access for our students. Access to healthcare, large co-pays, and appointment availability burden families and skyrocketed student absenteeism. Pioneering this initiative proves what this community has come to expect from Diman – a school that cares deeply about every aspect of a student’s growth and life” says Andrew Rebello, Diman’s Assistant Superintendent and Principal. 

Diman’s Superintendent, Brian Bentley said “We are looking forward to a successful partnership between Diman and HealthFirst to bring the first school-based health center to the Southcoast.  This is truly an amazing avenue for better serving the students in our community.”     

HealthFirst Family Care Center, Inc. is a non-profit, federally qualified community health center located in Fall River that provides adult and pediatric primary care services that include medical, oral health, social services, and limited medical specialty services to all residents, both insured and uninsured in the Greater Fall River community.

The HealthFirst school-based health center at Diman will remain open five days a week throughout the school year.