Swope Health marked its one-year anniversary of providing accessible healthcare to the Excelsior Springs community by hosting an open house on Thursday, April 24. The event welcomed school district leadership, representatives from MARC Head Start, and members of the public to tour the Swope Health KidsCARE Excelsior Springs clinic, located at the Early Childhood Center, 500 N Jesse James Rd.
Since opening its doors, the clinic has worked to remove barriers to healthcare by offering comprehensive, quality pediatric medical and dental services directly within the school district. The initiative is a collaboration between Swope Health, the Excelsior Springs School District (ESSD), and the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC), emphasizing the critical connection between good physical and oral health and academic success.
Pediatric medical services are available at the clinic every third Monday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., including well-child evaluations, immunizations and flu shots, physical exams for childcare, school or sports, treatment for acute and chronic conditions like asthma, and telehealth appointments. Excitingly, optometry services are expected to be added in the near future, allowing students to access three essential services—medical, dental, and vision—through one convenient location.
Dental services are offered each Tuesday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., providing cleanings, fillings, fluoride treatments, x-rays, exams, and extractions, with nitrous oxide available to ease patient comfort. Due to high demand, dental care remains one of the most utilized services at the clinic. Adults are also welcome to access dental services, expanding the clinic’s impact beyond just students.
Dr. Kenneth Thomas, MD, Director of Pediatric Services, led tours of the space during the open house. He shared how critical the clinic has been for families without a regular primary care provider. “Having access to care directly in the school removes a barrier that often prevents families from seeking needed medical attention,” Dr. Thomas explained. He noted that the clinic’s success in improving immunization rates has drawn attention from neighboring school districts.
During remarks, MARC’s Early Learning and Head Start Director Dr. Toni Sturdivant reflected on her personal experience growing up in rural Texas, where accessing pediatric care required long drives and time away from work. She emphasized how school-based clinics like Swope Health KidsCARE can make a life-changing difference for families, improving access and easing burdens.
ESSD Superintendent Dr. Jaret Tomlinson also praised the clinic’s positive impact. “Honestly, your guys’ excitement and the enthusiasm you bring, the smiles that you have, that’s infectious and makes it a very welcoming place for our students and families,” Tomlinson said. “On behalf of our board of education and all the staff and students, thank you so much for how much you provide and help us.”
Swope Health KidsCARE Excelsior Springs accepts private insurance, Medicaid, and self-pay, ensuring services remain within reach for as many families as possible. With one successful year behind them and new services on the horizon, the clinic is poised to continue making a meaningful difference in the health and well-being of the Excelsior Springs community.
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