Hazel Health is a pediatric telemedicine provider that has been partnering with school districts across the United States to provide in-school telehealth care for children since 2016. Hazel’s team of experienced, licensed medical professionals work with school districts and their school health staff to conduct telehealth visits via videoconferencing in school health offices. During a visit, a Hazel provider learns about a child’s feelings and symptoms for a range of conditions.

After, Hazel works with the school nurse/health staff and parents/guardians to advise on next steps, including potential treatment, prescriptions, and/or providing additional resources to support the child. While Hazel began by offering only physical health/urgent care to students, through thousands of visits, a pattern began to emerge. Hazel’s care team consistently found that physical symptoms such as a headache or stomach ache could often be attributed to an underlying mental health concern. As a result, Hazel Health introduced Hazel HEART -- Hazel’s Early Assessment, Response and Treatment protocol -- to help combat the sharp uptick in mental health issues among youth. This mental health support uses Hazel’s in-school telemedicine visits to provide immediate access to staff therapists; on-the-spot evaluation of mental health concerns and behavioral health assessments; connection to long-term care providers as needed, and more, ensuring that students receive whole child care. Additionally, Hazel Health provides all the equipment to its partner schools for care, including iPads, scales, thermometers, medical carts, and other supplies needed. Together, we help students feel healthy and return to learning. This work allows districts to minimize lost instructional time and enables students to be present in class and present in mind.