Auburn Nursing launches first school-based health clinic in Bullock County

Auburn University’s College of Nursing has opened its first school-based health clinic in Bullock County, expanding access to healthcare for students in one of Alabama’s most underserved regions while creating a new clinical training site for future nurses.

The clinic, established through a partnership with Bullock County Rural Emergency Hospital, which is operated by East Alabama Health, began seeing patients on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. It will serve students at Union Springs Elementary School, South Highlands Middle School and Bullock County High School. Plans are also underway to expand services to Conecuh Springs Christian School.

The Bullock County clinic is the first school-based health clinic operated by Auburn Nursing and one of only a few school-based clinics currently serving students in Alabama.

“This clinic brings healthcare directly to students where they learn and grow every day,” said Amy Pridemore, assistant clinical professor and coordinator of clinics for Auburn’s College of Nursing. “By providing care on campus, we can address health concerns earlier, improve access to preventive services and help keep students healthy, present and ready to learn.”

The clinic is part of Auburn Nursing’s newly launched Tiger Tracks program, an initiative designed to expand school-based healthcare services in underserved communities. The clinic will operate Mondays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. throughout the school year and will be staffed by nurse practitioners and Auburn Nursing faculty Amy Pridemore and Alli Ward.

The primary clinic site will be located at Union Springs Elementary School, with providers traveling to participating schools as needed.

Services will include preventive and primary care, annual wellness examinations, sports physicals, immunizations, sick visits and chronic disease management for conditions such as asthma and diabetes. Students will also have access to health screenings, nutrition education and behavioral health support, including emotional wellness, conflict resolution and social skills development.

“School-based health clinics are more than a convenience,” Pridemore said. “They strengthen connections between healthcare, education and families while removing barriers that can prevent children from receiving the care they need.”

By offering care during the school day, the clinic will help reduce missed class time for students and minimize the need for parents to miss work for routine healthcare appointments.

Beginning in spring 2027, the clinic will also serve as a clinical education site for Auburn Nursing students, providing future nurses with hands-on experience delivering care in community and school-based settings.

Although the clinic is a College of Nursing initiative, Pridemore said she foresees future opportunities to expand the model through collaborations with other health disciplines across Auburn University.