Jackson Preparatory School to pilot corporate telehealth initiative

Flowood, MS (PRWEB) December 06, 2014 - Beginning January 1, 2015, Jackson Preparatory School employees can see an urgent care provider without leaving the workplace. Under an agreement with University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC), Jackson Prep will offer Corporate Telehealth to its faculty and staff as an additional option for healthcare.

In general terms, “telehealth” uses online video technology to allow a healthcare provider to treat a patient remotely. UMMC established The Center for Telehealth to provide remote medical care, health education and public health services. Dr. Kristi Henderson, a Jackson Prep graduate and current Jackson Prep parent, leads the Center as the Chief Telehealth & Innovation Officer for UMMC. Dr. Henderson was featured at the recent TEDxJackson event discussing the national emergence of telehealth.

According to Dr. Henderson, UMMC’s Corporate Telehealth benefits both employers and employees by minimizing time away from work, keeping employees healthy, maximizing productivity, and decreasing the overall healthcare cost for both the employee and employer. For Jackson Prep, its employees will have the option of using the telehealth system and/or seeking traditional medical care off-site.

“Jackson Prep will be the first independent school in Mississippi to pilot the corporate telehealth program. I am excited to offer this additional health benefit to our faculty and staff. I also look forward to exploring whether providing this access to our students on an opt-in basis would be a convenience that our parents would enjoy,” stated Dr. Walton.

Dr. Clay Hays, President of Jackson Prep’s Board of Trustees, is also enthusiastic about the pilot program at Jackson Prep. Hays, named by Governor Phil Bryant last year to chair the Mississippi Health Care Solutions Institute (MHSI), believes that telemedicine not only improves access to healthcare, but potentially creates a new way for urgent care needs to be met in a prompt, efficient manner.

Jackson Prep’s pilot program was announced to faculty and staff on December 1 and will be rolled out effective January 1, 2015.