New Medical Director Appointed for

School Health Clinics of Santa Clara County

San Jose , CA - Dr. Monica D. Mensah was recently appointed Medical Director for School Health Clinics of Santa Clara County. Dr. Mensah holds a medical degree from the University of California Davis and did her Internship and Residency at Stanford University Medical Center . She is a board certified pediatrician, and recently retired from practice at Kaiser Permanente Medical Group. While with Kaiser, Dr. Mensah participated in the hospital's commitment to the community by working one morning per month at School Health Clinics' Gilroy Neighborhood Health Clinic. During her four years of community work at the clinic, Dr. Mensah became intricately familiar with the organization's mission of keeping at-risk children healthy and in school.

"Every child needs a medical home. When children's physical and emotional needs are met, they do better in school, enjoy going, and have a greater chance for success later in life," says Mensah.

As the Medical Director for School Health Clinics, Dr. Mensah will provide clinical supervision of medical services and programs. She will establish and maintain annual reviews of all medical policies and standards for the organization, as well as overseeing all medical quality assurance processes and activities.

"With the addition of Dr. Mensah, the clinics will continue to be overseen by a dedicated and qualified physician who cares deeply about the welfare of children in our communities," said Sue Lapp, Chief Executive Officer for School Health Clinics of Santa Clara County.

A native of Ghana , Dr. Mensah emigrated to the United States to complete her B.S. and M.S. degrees at Howard University . In 1976 she and her family moved to Palo Alto where she completed her medical schooling. Dr. Mensah has resided with her husband in Morgan Hill since 1995.

Situated on school campuses in San Jose and Gilroy , School Health Clinics serve children from the community up through age 18. For families who have little or no access to health care, or health insurance, the clinics are a valuable community resource and ensure that children of all ages receive the medical treatment they deserve. Services at the clinics include urgent care, treatment for illness and injuries, physical exams, immunizations, dental screenings, prescriptions, mental health support and referrals, confidential reproductive health care, and on-site enrollment in low-cost affordable health insurance.

In Santa Clara County , many low-income children do not receive basic health care. Families are often overwhelmed by perceived barriers to treatment, and may wait months to schedule a doctor's appointment. With little or no access to health insurance, and with a reluctance to seek professional treatment for their children, many families are not able to manage chronic childhood illnesses such as asthma, obesity, or diabetes. In Santa Clara County , more children between the ages of 5 and 15 are hospitalized for asthma than for any other reason.

Clinics operate Monday through Friday, and are located at South Valley Middle School in Gilroy , Washington Elementary School, San Jose High Academy , Yerba Buena High School, Overfelt High School , and the Franklin McKinley School District office in San Jose .

School Health Clinics of Santa Clara County is a not for profit agency based in San Jose that ensures thousands of young people each year receive the medical care they need to remain healthy, physically fit, and in school.

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