MAKING A DIFFERENCE – Hillary Simmons

Hillary Simmons

Clinical lead for medical assistants

Access Health Louisiana

OFFERING CARE

Hillary Simmons has been employed with Access Health Louisiana for 13 years, and this is the first school year that she has served as the clinical lead for medical assistants within AHL’s school-based health centers.

AHL operates over 20 school-based health centers across the state, including at seven St. Charles Parish schools – Hahnville High School, J.B. Martin Middle, R.J. Vial Elementary, Luling Elementary, Albert Cammon Middle, St. Rose Elementary, and Destrehan High School.

The elementary and middle school clinics offer medical care, Simmons said, while the high school sites are focused on mental health offerings.

SHOWING SHE CARES

“These clinics are a really great asset for the students,” she said. “I like the fact that the parents don’t have to miss work and the students can stay in school and receive care. I really, really enjoy helping people. Some of the kids don’t have primary care, and we act as that primary care.”

From treating headaches and stomach aches to referring students to more specialized care, Simmons said she knows her work at the clinics is making a difference.

“My favorite thing is the kids … just seeing them and talking to them … sometimes they ask about me about my career and even what I get paid,” she said laughing. “I just hope that they remember me as nice and caring to them.”