BMIC enters agreement to provide school nurse to Brimley students

BAY MILLS — Students at Brimley Area Schools will now have access to healthcare while at school thanks to a collaboration between Brimley Area Schools and Bay Mills Indian Community.

Brimley Elementary Principal Hugh Clarke contacted BMIC Tribal Administrator Rachel Lyons late last year, inquiring about how to get nursing services back on the school campus. Lyons immediately began the ground work to bring that idea to fruition, working with Bay Mills Health Center.

Under the agreement, Brimley Schools will initially pay a portion of the salary for the nurse with grant funds during the first year, and Bay Mills Health Center will supply the rest. After Brimley’s funds are exhausted, BMIC will pay the entire salary. BMIC also supplied the medical chairs and technology to the school, while the school supplied the space needed for Ellis to serve the students. In return, the nurse practitioner, Ashly Ellis, will be at the school site Monday through Friday during the school year, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. During school breaks Ellis will work at Bay Mills Health Center.

Ellis was vetted and hired by Bay Mills Health Center and began her position on Jan. 31. She has a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Lake Superior State University and master of science in nursing from the University of Cincinnati.  She has been practicing since 2012, with a background in pulmonary/critical care, cardiology, emergency department, urgent care, urogynecology, and family practice.

“My role will be primarily in the Brimley school while it is in session providing nursing care this school year. I will be assisting with acute illness and injuries,” said Ellis. “In the next year we will be working to transition toward having a functioning clinic in the school to provide services to the children including well-child examinations, urgent visits as well as sport physicals.”

Having additional medical services in place at the school will also alleviate some of the demand on the Bay Mills Health Center.

“Providing for our community has always been an important goal for both Bay Mills Health Center and Brimley Area Schools,” said Lyons. “This collaboration is just one example of what can be accomplished when individuals work together as a team.  Bringing healthcare to our youth is an extremely proud accomplishment for all involved and we could not be more excited for these services to begin.”