On Aug. 26, Live Oak Health Partners opened a clinic at San Marcos CISD's Hernandez Elementary School.

The clinic, staffed by a nurse practitioner and open three afternoons per week, is the first clinic to open as part of a pilot program that could expand to other campuses next year, said Yolanda Almendarez, assistant superintendent for community partnerships.

"If a child has an infection or a fall on the playground [for example], they can be treated quickly and get back in school, instead of waiting a couple of days or even a week until a child can see a doctor," Almendarez said.

The clinic will only serve Hernandez Elementary students, faculty and staff members. San Marcos CISD chose the campus for the pilot program because it is home to the district's prekindergarten school.

Live Oak, affiliated with Central Texas Medical Center in San Marcos, will bill the insurance providers of patients who have coverage, "but we're not going to turn away any children that need to be seen," said Dr. Lenore DePagter, a physician who is coordinating the clinic.

DePagter said Live Oak's walk-in clinic at 1320 Wonder World Drive, Ste. 101 in San Marcos will also begin to provide quick treatment for teachers during school hours.

"We're very passionate about our mission and know it's the right thing to do for the community," she said. "In talking to the school district, there's a lot of kids with needs, and there's also an issue with attendance. If we can improve attendance, we can help improve funding for our schools. There are many things that are right about this pilot project."