One of the most significant concerns parents have is ensuring the health and safety of their children. When sending their children to boarding school--especially junior boarding school (grades 5-9)--understanding the available medical services is of utmost importance. At Rectory School, the nurses who care for our students in the Morgan Witter Rogers Jr. Memorial Infirmary pride themselves on their comprehensive approach to student healthcare, including staffing, medical services, emergency preparedness, health monitoring, health promotion, and collaboration with parents and external providers.

Medical Services and Facilities

The 6,750 square-foot infirmary building, completed in 1946, consists of a nursing station, medication area, kitchen, treatment room, waiting room, work room, two bathrooms, and six patient rooms for eight patient beds. Two rooms can be closed off for isolation cases.

The Infirmary, inspected and licensed by the State of Connecticut, is centrally located on the upper campus. Rectory nurses believe that students must maintain a healthy life to reap the benefits of a Rectory education. "Our goal as allied healthcare professionals is to provide excellent healthcare to maximize each student's ability to participate fully in the activities of boarding school life," said Director of Nursing Jennifer Dumais.

The Infirmary offers various medical services, including evaluating and treating injuries and illnesses. Routine care follows established protocols approved by the Medical Director, Dr. Raja Fattaleh. "The infirmary is equipped to care for acute medical emergencies until EMS assumes care and transport," said Nurse Dumais. "This includes bleeding emergencies, cardiac care, and respiratory distress."

Staffing and Qualifications

The cornerstone of any healthcare facility is its staff, and Rectory's Infirmary maintains a team of highly qualified nurses. Nurse Dumais states, "All nurses must have an active and unrestricted RN license (Associate or BSN) and CPR certification." With a diverse range of experiences, including trauma care, pediatrics, chronic illness management, and community health, the nursing staff is well-equipped to handle the varied health needs of Rectory's students.

Nurses are scheduled with overlapping shifts during school hours, ensuring continuous coverage. Additionally, nurses are on call when the Infirmary is closed, guaranteeing that students have access to medical assistance around the clock.

Having the facilities and appropriate staffing is critical for a boarding school, but when feeling their worst, students need to know they will find kind and caring people who understand young children. 

"When they aren't feeling well, kids want their mom or dad," said Nurse Megan Haggett. "Students feel comfortable coming to the infirmary because we treat them like our own children."

Nurse Valerie McKinney agrees. "I drive the kids to their off-campus appointments. It's nice to share this extra time with them because they talk about their experiences and the things they look forward to."

Health Monitoring and Communication

"Students are seen at the infirmary to receive daily prescribed medication, to address any health concerns or questions, or for first aid," said Nurse Haggett. "The Infirmary educates the students daily on hand-washing techniques, tips on healthy eating, daily water intake, personal and oral hygiene, safety such as helmet use, and self-advocacy. When students face mental health challenges, we support and collaborate with the counseling department."

Daily health monitoring involves:

• Addressing students' medical needs.
• Providing education on various health topics.
• Offering support for mental health challenges.

The Infirmary ensures open communication with parents regarding their child's health status and medical issues. Parents are encouraged to share their child's medical history and ongoing health concerns, fostering a collaborative approach to student health care. "We encourage parents to call or email any time they have questions or concerns about student health issues," said Nurse Haggett. "Parents are also encouraged to share any ongoing health concerns, and we collaboratively create an action plan approved by the student's physician or our Medical Director."

Emergency Preparedness

In medical emergencies or accidents, the Infirmary responds promptly, providing immediate treatment and calling EMS if necessary. Established protocols govern handling different emergencies, ensuring students receive prompt and appropriate medical attention. Measures such as on-call nursing staff, employee training, and defibrillators on campus further enhance emergency preparedness.

"We have protocols and standing orders for specific medical emergencies such as allergic reactions, poisoning, breathing difficulties, or sudden illnesses," Nurse Haggett said. "We have an on-call nurse 24 hours a day, and automated external defibrillators (AED) are in multiple locations around campus. All teachers, coaches, and dorm parents are trained in first aid, CPR, AED, and Epi-pen administration."

Health Promotion and Education

The Infirmary strongly emphasizes health promotion and education, offering nutrition, hygiene, and mental health programs. "Especially in the middle school years, these topics are extremely important," said Nurse Haggett. "The Infirmary is notified when a student needs further education or discussion on a specific health-related topic such as hygiene or nutrition. A nurse will call the student to the Infirmary for a one-to-one meeting to assess the knowledge base and need for further learning. The nurse then creates a plan and schedules follow-up meetings with the student." The nurses at Rectory promote healthy lifestyle choices and preventive care among students.

Collaboration with Parents and External Providers

Collaboration with parents and external healthcare providers is vital for ensuring continuity of care. The Infirmary maintains open communication channels with parents, updating them on their child's health and involving them in healthcare decisions. Moreover, coordination with external providers facilitates seamless care transitions and ensures that students receive consistent medical attention, even during school breaks.

Rectory School's Infirmary is a beacon of student health and safety, providing comprehensive medical services, fostering health promotion, and education, and collaborating closely with parents and external providers. By prioritizing the well-being of students, the Infirmary plays a crucial role in supporting their academic success and overall development.