Dr. Taylor McKenzie School Based Health Center


Dr. Taylor McKenzie is honored during dedication ceremonies for the Student Health Center. Dr. McKenzie is the first Navajo surgeon who graduated from the school when it was Navajo Methodist Mission School.

'Because Healthy Kids Learn Better.”
The Navajo Preparatory School established a School-Based Health Center/Health & Wellness Center(SBHC) with start up funds from the New Mexico Department of Health/Office of School Health. The Dr. Taylor McKenzie Student Health Center was dedicated on April 9, 2004. The SBHC is a health care delivery system located on campus in the residential dormitory--Zah Hall. The Center provides integrated primary medical care and behavioral counseling services to all students. The mission of the SBHC is to offer professional and quality medical, health and behavioral services to Navajo Preparatory students. Our main focus is prevention of disease, health education,developing healthier lifestyles, and wellness promotion.
The SBHC is staffed by a school nurse and a health assistant. Through a memorandum of agreement between the school and Northern Navajo Medical Center in Shiprock, New Mexico, physicians, physician assistants and counselors provide medical and behavioral health services on an appointment schedule that is posted and publicized to students. “Drop-in’s” are worked into the schedule as time permits.

The goals of the SBHC are:
*   To provide convenient access to primary and preventative care to students who might otherwise
     have limited or no access to such services.
*   To meet the physical and emotional needs of students to increase their readiness and ability to learn.
*   To decrease risky behaviors and related poor health outcomes.
*   To promote positive health behaviors, encourage the prevention of illness and disease and to
     maintain health and wellness.
*   To bring healthcare to the students where they are--in the school.

The SBHC also provides sports physicals, complete physical examinations, immunizations when available, acute illness treatment and injury evaluation with minor treatment and referral, monitor chronic illnesses, female and male screenings and assessments, nutritional services, the promotion of fitness and physical activity and staff wellness services.