Meridian Health Services is expanding access to medical and behavioral health care for Frankfort students, school staff, and Clinton County residents through a school-based clinic and nearby annex facility.
Speaking to the Frankfort Rotary Club, Practice Manager Olivia Lundin, MPH, outlined how the federally qualified health center is using on-campus clinics and same-day appointments to reduce missed class time, cut travel barriers, and support local families.
“Our goal is to provide services here in the community rather than expecting families to drive to larger cities like Lafayette or Indianapolis,” Lundin said.
School Clinic Inside Frankfort High School
Lundin said Meridian operates a clinic inside Frankfort High School that serves both students and school staff, in partnership with Community Schools of Frankfort. When a student visits the school nurse with a fever, sore throat, or other illness, the nurse can call the Meridian clinic—if parents have given consent—for same-day evaluation by a nurse practitioner.
“If a student comes to the nurse’s office and isn’t feeling well, the nurse can call over to us,” Lundin said. “Our nurse practitioner can evaluate them, prescribe medicine if needed, and get them back to school quicker.”
The high school clinic also supports staff members who need same-day care so they can return to the classroom sooner and avoid using extra sick time. Lundin noted that nurse practitioner Dena Seifert, FNP, a Frankfort High School graduate, currently provides in-person care on Tuesdays and Fridays, with telehealth coverage and support from Meridian staff on other days.
Behavioral Health, Skill Builders and Crisis Support “We see a lot of anxiety and ADHD”
Beyond basic medical care, Meridian offers on-site behavioral health services in the schools, including therapy and a “skill building” program that places behavioral health staff directly in classrooms.
These staff members work alongside students who struggle with emotional regulation, focus, or reading-related frustration, helping them practice positive behaviors while staying in class.
“We see a lot of anxiety and ADHD,” Lundin said. “Our skill builders sit in class with students to help them focus and use positive reinforcement so they can get through lessons without disrupting instruction.” Meridian also provides crisis intervention when a student is a danger to themselves or others, coordinating with school personnel and families to ensure safety and connect students to ongoing care if needed.
Annex Across from High School Serves Entire Community
Lundin emphasized that services extend beyond the school walls. Meridian operates an annex clinic at 50 S. Maish Road in Frankfort, directly across from Frankfort High School, which is open to the general public Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The annex offers primary medical care, same-day and walk-in appointments, lab draws in partnership with LabCorp, and behavioral health services for patients of all ages.
“We can serve newborns all the way up to 100-plus,” Lundin said, adding that most patients currently fall into school-age and working-age groups.
Because Meridian is a federally qualified health center, it accepts all major insurances, including Medicaid and Medicare, and uses a sliding fee scale to discount services based on income when necessary. “We don’t ask for tax documents,” Lundin said. “Patients can report their income, and if they qualify, we discount whatever their insurance doesn’t cover—or the full visit if they’re uninsured.”
Whole-Person Care and Local Staff
Lundin described Meridian’s approach as “whole-person” care that integrates physical, mental and social supports, from medical treatment and counseling to help with transportation, food, or housing referrals. She said staff routinely help patients call local partners and secure services before they leave the building, rather than simply handing out pamphlets.
“It’s not just, ‘Here’s a resource list,’” Lundin said. “We make those calls with patients, so they walk out already connected to what they need.”
Most clinic staff, including Seifert and the medical assistants, live in Clinton County, which Lundin said helps build trust. “They came to Meridian and to Clinton County because they want to make a difference,” she said. “They’re invested in this community, not just here for a paycheck.”