Health Resources
Comprehensive Care for Students with Disabilities
Many students at Crotched Mountain School have special health care needs that require attention during the school day and after hours. Crotched Mountain provides an integrated network of specialty health care professionals to care for our students' health around the clock, 365 days a year through our School Nurse, at our campus Health Center, and in our onsite Specialty Hospital.
Care is provided by our on-staff physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, psychologists and psychiatrists under the guidance of W. Carl Cooley, MD, medical director of Crotched Mountain, medical director of the Center for Medical Home Improvement, and adjunct professor of pediatrics at Dartmouth Medical School.
School Nurse Provides Daytime Care
The school nurse plays a very important role in overseeing the health of students during school hours and works with teachers, physicians and family to address each student’s unique medical needs. The school nurse, and the direct support professionals she has trained and oversees, administer medications and perform special health care procedures such as tracheostomy suctioning, bladder catheterization, ostomy care, g- and j-tube feedings and maintenance of orthopedic devices. The school nurse also provides ventilator care. She responds to illness or injury and works closely with our on-campus pediatric physician and nurse practitioner to provide medical care when the need arises.
Health Center: Round-the-clock, On-campus Care
The school's Health Center is a licensed health care facility in the center of campus that provides care for residential students. The Center's certified medical and nursing staff works closely with each student's primary and specialty care doctors and professionals - physicians, therapeutic staff, psychologists, psychiatrists, student service coordinators, nutrition staff and others - to ensure that the health care needs of each student are met. Parents and guardians are also active members of their child's health care team.
As the hub of healthcare for residential students, Health Center nurses conduct healthcare needs assessments in tandem with students’ primary care physicians and specialists that address even the most complex medical conditions. Education and residential staff are then trained by the Health Center on each student’s specific health care needs and medical protocols to promote health and ensure safety.
In the evenings and on weekends, nurses from the Health Center visit residential students to monitor their health and administer medications. Physicians and nurses are on-call 24/7/365 to respond immediately to any signs of illness or injury. Health Center nurses also attend special events and outings when a student needs specialized nursing care in order to participate.
Crotched Mountain Specialty Hospital
For medically fragile students and those with chronic health conditions, Crotched Mountain Specialty Hospital provides comprehensive, 24-hour medical care at the highest level of expertise. The hospital is uniquely equipped to treat a complete range of illness and injury. Students with complex medical conditions may receive medical care in the hospital while attending Crotched Mountain School during the day.
Because a hospital can be stressful for children, we've taken extra care to create a warm and welcoming environment. Kids are encouraged to be themselves - exploring the grounds, playing video games, dancing, swimming and participating in our many campus activities. And we encourage families to personalize and decorate their child’s room to make their living space comfortable and inviting.
For more information about how Crotched Mountain School supports each student’s health and medical needs, please contact:
Melissa Lambert
Admissions Coordinator
603.547.3311 ext. 1894
admissions@crotchedmountain.org