Health Center

Proctor Academy Health Center is a five bed facility licensed by the State of New Hampshire Division of Public Health Services. The Health Center is overseen by Dr. Sarah Lester, M.D our Medical Director. Her primary location is at New London Pediatric Care Center, 273 County Road, New London, New Hampshire 03257. Phone: (603) 526-5363. Kristen Bitler, R.N. is our Director of Health Services.  We are staffed by a registered nurse twenty four hours per day, seven days per week, while school is in session.

Students who are ill must report to the Health Center. If in the judgment of the nurse on duty they are too ill or contagious to participate in school commitments they must remain at the Health Center, if possible. Day students must have their parents call the Health Center if the student is to be absent or tardy from school because of illness or medical appointments.

Dr. Sarah Lester, M.D. our Medical Director will see students in her New London, NH office,  if necessary.  Her offce will bill each student's insurance directly for these visits and any uncovered charges are billed directly home.  Dr. Lester also sees students during weekly clinics held at the Health Center for which Proctor accounts are charged a $30 fee.

Students taking prescription medications must keep their medicines at the Health Center to be administered by the nurse. If your child takes a daily medication a $12.00 monthly administrative fee will be charged to your child's account.  Prescriptions may be mailed to the Health Center or filled at Colonial Pharmacy in New London. Prescriptions filled at this local pharmacy will be delivered on Monday - Friday to the Health Center. The Health Center encourages parents to keep a supply of their child's prescription medication at home for school vacations.  During the school year, all prescription medications must be mailed to the attention of the Health Center and not your child.  Parental permission is required for students under the age of 18 to transport his/her prescription medication home. For further clarification regarding the management of student medications, please refer to our medication policy.

New London Hospital, Franklin Regional Hospital, Concord Hospital, and Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center can be reached from campus within 20 minutes to one hour and provide excellent emergency and specialty services.

In the case of a serious injury, all attempts are made to have a Proctor adult accompany the student to the hospital.  If this is not feasible, a school approved driver will transport the student. If the student requires transportation by ambulance, a Proctor adult shall meet the student at the hospital as soon as possible and return the student to the Health Center upon discharge, unless hospital admission is required.

We strongly encourage students to complete routine health care while at home. However, orthodontic, dental, opthamalogical, physical therapy, and chiropractic services can be arranged locally upon request. School approved drivers transport students who require medical services off campus, and the charges for transportation are billed to the student account.

Proctor Academy does not condone intimate sexual activity. However we are aware that students will make their own decisions about sexual intimacy. Reproductive healthcare for students is accessible through the Health Center. The Health Center staff provides counseling and information about all options and choices regarding reproductive healthcare and prevention of sexually transmitted disease. Students are encouraged to discuss their choices with their parents. Referrals to medical offices or Family Planning clinics outside of Proctor Academy are made for those who seek services. Students may also access them independently. Condoms are available in the Health Center for prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

Proctor Academy Health Center follows New Hampshire mandatory reporting laws including, but not limited to, communicable diseases, child abuse or neglect, sexual abuse, and criminal acts that occur in a safe school zone.

Health Center personnel will maintain confidentiality of all health-related information within its care, excepting mandatory reporting or when the safety of a student or others is at risk. For example, Proctor Academy teachers, advisors, coaches, and dorm parents will be made aware , on a need to know basis, of illnesses or injuries that affect a student's ability to safely participate in classes or other activities.

INSURANCE

Proctor Students are required to carry medical insurance. Parents should review their health insurance policies to insure appropriate away from home coverage. Please note that out of state Medicaid is not valid in New Hampshire. Student insurance is available from an independent agency and may be purchased through the Health Center. To ensure proper billing, a copy of the student's current health insurance documentation must be maintained at the Health Center.

HEALTH CENTER STAFF:

Sarah Lester, MD
Medical Director.  Appointed '11
Hahnemann University Medical School 
Husband: Brian
Children:  Matthew and David - 10, Sophie - 7, & Mychal 4 

Kristen Bitler, R.N. 
Director of Health Services. Appointed '11
Colby-Sawyer College, B.S.N.
Children: Emily - P'17

Katharine Nevins, R.N.
Appointed'97
University of Connecticut; Bachelors of Anthropology - Shepherd College; Associates of Nursing
Children:  Lane, Matthias, Colin P'11 and Klare P'12

Maundey Abrahamson, R.N.
Appointed '09
University of Vermont, B.S.N.
Children:  Betsy - 12, Emmi - 9, and Cilla - 4

Rosemary McGuire, R.N.
Appointed'11
Dutchess Community College
Children:  Meaghan - 25, Kathleen - 22, Francis - 20, Molly - 18 &  Allyson - 14

Lisa Scarry, Office Manager
Appointed '89
Children:  Gabriel PA'97 and Gregory PA'01