For Jessica Velazquez-Torres, a recent check-in with her provider at Union Community Care was about more than just taking care of herself—it was about being able to stay healthy and keep working without missing a beat.
Jessica works in the Columbia School District, where Union has opened two new school-based health centers. With care now just a few steps away from her desk, she no longer has to worry about taking a bus to Lancaster for a doctor’s appointment or taking time off from work. She can make an appointment for a checkup over her lunch break.
But Jessica’s relationship with Union runs much deeper than convenience. Jessica’s connection to Union goes back more than a decade. Born and raised in Lancaster, she was familiar with Union when it was formerly known as “SouthEast Lancaster Health Services.” While the name may have changed, the warm and welcoming care Jessica has relied on has never wavered.
That trust became even more important when Jessica was diagnosed with diabetes. “I was scared,” she recalled. “My family had suffered serious complications from diabetes, and I didn’t want to go down that same road.” Union worked closely with her to explore various treatment options, ultimately referring her to gastric bypass surgery as a way to help manage her condition and regain her health.
Regular check-ins ensure Jessica stays on track, and with Union’s new school-based health centers in the Columbia Borough School District, those check-ins fit easily into her work schedule. By making healthcare convenient and easy to access, Union not only supports Jessica in staying healthy, but keeps her on track at her job and home.
“I didn’t need to worry about scheduling time off for the doctor, getting the bus, and heading to Lancaster,” Jessica explained. “Having care here saves me time, it saves me money, and it saves me stress.”
The time and resources Jessica saves through Union’s school-based health care center means she can focus on what matters most—her health, her family, and her work.
“All the time I saved means I get to be a mom, too,” she added. “I can be home and spend time with my son. I get to be there when he is home from school, cook, and we can be together as a family.”
More about school-based health care
Our school-based health care team provides affordable, available, and seamlessly coordinated health services to students and staff.
