Meaningful Medicine

The initiative’s aim is to improve access to healthcare and address health disparities in underserved communities and at Title 1 schools in Charlotte-Mecklenburg County. The program combines innovative, virtual health and wellness capabilities, social impact, and health-related workforce developmentopportunities. 

Meaningful Medicine program includes partnerships with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS), Mecklenburg County, Central Piedmont Community College and the YMCA of Greater Charlotte. 

At CMS the initiative is helping to ensure students can reach their goals while also working to reduceabsenteeism and time away from the classroom due to health or wellness related issues. Additionally, the program focuses on developing high school students for future career pathways in the healthcare sector. Specifically, CMS high school students at Title I schools can expand their knowledge through programs at Atrium Health. The initiative helps to build opportunities for economically underprivileged CMS students to attain healthcare careers with family-supporting wages.

Additionally, Meaningful Medicine provides the most vulnerable in the community with embedded health support systems, including convenient access to non-school-based virtual healthcare sites and other social related resources to families in need. 

Meaningful Medicine program includes: 

School-based Virtual Care: Students or CMS staff can meet with a medical provider virtually on campus, during school hours if not feeling well at school. It is presently available at 122 schools across CMS. More information about the Meaningful Medicine virtual clinics led by Atrium Health is available on the CMS Virtual Clinic webpage. Please visit the CMS School Based Virtual Care clinics location webpage to learn if your school offers this service.

School-based Behavioral Health Teletherapy: Mental wellness virtual visits for students during school hours on campus; Available presently in 32 CMS schools. More information about Teletherapy is located on the School-Based Therapy Program | Atrium Health webpage or to locate a school that offers this service please visit the CMS School Based Virtual Therapy webpage.

Atrium Health offers three healthcare focused student programs as part of Meaningful Medicine. These programs include PATCH, Student Internship, and Rise to Success. With support from CMS Career & Technical Education and school counselors, students with an interest in health sciences are guided toward achieving their goals in the healthcare field. Learn more about career pathways on the CMS Naviance Resource webpage and find student programs offered by Atrium Health on its website. 

Seniors: Atrium Health Rise for Success

Sophomores and Juniors: Atrium Health PATCH program

High School Students: Atrium Health Student Placement Internships

Community-based Virtual Care: Through the Meaningful Medicine program, Atrium Health offers virtual visits to community members at these locations during working hours. Also, the Community Based Virtual Care clinics are open to families when school is not in session and throughout the summer. To learn more visit its Community Virtual Primary Care | Atrium Health webpage. 

Social Health Programs: Beyond medical and mental wellness needs, there are other social health needs and resources available for families through the Meaningful Medicine program. To learn more, visit the Atrium Health Community Resource Hub by findhelp - Search and Connect to Social Care