NATCHEZ &045;&045; School Nurse Colette Chambers does a little more than put Band-Aids on skinned knees.

Her full-fledged clinic at Robert Lewis Middle School is only a large bill away from a doctor’s office.

Chambers, a registered nurse, checks Medicaid students for vision and hearing problems, blood irregularities and sexually transmitted diseases. The transformed locker room is equipped to do a full check-up.

&uot;Short of going to a doctor, they couldn’t get better care,&uot; Chambers said.

The Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment clinic opened toward the end of the last school year. This year, Chambers plans to see 750 students at a rate of about five a day at an hour per child.

The clinic, and the majority of Chambers’ salary, is funded through a grant and the state for the first two years. After that the school is responsible for the clinic.

Similar clinics have been up and running at Morgantown Elementary and McLaurin Elementary for three years.

Chambers also spends time educating the students about healthy choices, personal hygiene, STDs and pregnancy and plans to do lessons in the classrooms.

&uot;This is absolutely the best program,&uot; she said. &uot;You can see in five years how it’s going to make a difference.&uot;

She said many of the students she sees have little to no knowledge about STDs and other health threats.

She also sees children who have developed hearing problems from loud music. When a problem is detected, students are referred to a local physician.

&uot;We are the frontline defense,&uot; she said. &uot;Many don’t remember the last time they saw a doctor.&uot;

Chambers only sees students who’ve returned signed consent forms from their parents. Only Medicaid students qualify for the clinic.

&uot;I’m trying to make a difference,&uot; Chambers said. &uot;Even if it’s only one child.&uot;

Chambers already discovered a serious problem with one student last year that came several times complaining of headaches and was eventually diagnosed with hypertension.

Besides the daily screenings, the nurse is available for emergencies or illnesses and administers daily prescriptions.