On Tuesday, December 19, 2023, the community gathered to celebrate the grand opening of a school-based health center located at Daughtrey Elementary, A Community Partnership School. It’s located at 515 63rd Avenue East in Bradenton.
The Daughtrey Elementary Children and Family Healthcare Center is the result of a partnership between School District of Manatee County, MCR Health, Children’s Home Society of Florida, University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee and Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County.
Dr. Monica Rider, Chief Medical Officer, welcomed the crowd that included all five Manatee County School Board members, District leadership, community leaders such as Jacki Dezelski, President & CEO of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce, and Conrad Szymanski, an advocate for children and the community.
Speakers included Principal Melissa McCullough, who reminisced about starting her career in education at Daughtrey, School Board Chair Chad Choate, and Superintendent Jason Wysong, with closing remarks by Dr. Melvin Price, President & CEO of MCR Health.
After the ribbon cutting, guests were taken on a tour of the state-of-the-art facility to learn about its healthcare services.
Pediatrics and Behavioral Health will be offered in a secure part of the health center and available only to Daughtrey Elementary students beginning January 10, 2024.
The remainder of the health center is a family practice, which is opening to the public in late December.
According to MCR Health, who administers all healthcare services and oversees the operation, this grand opening marks a “significant step towards ensuring the health and vitality of both students and the broader community.”