Sonoran University of Health Sciences has partnered with Tempe Elementary School District to provide free health care to the approximately 11,000 children and their families who attend the 23 district schools. 

Sonoran University's Community Health Program has been providing free healthcare to Valley communities for over 25 years, a press release explained. This will be the university’s first community clinic serving the city of Tempe, with the first year of operations funded by two local foundations.

Through the program, physicians and residents oversee naturopathic medical students from Sonoran University’s College of Naturopathic Medicine to provide free medical services including wellness exams, physicals, and preventative screenings as well as treatments for acute and ongoing health conditions. 

The services address the health of the whole person with an individualized approach at no cost for students, staff, or family members who attend a Tempe Elementary School District school.

“This is our community,” said Paul Mittman, president & CEO of Sonoran University, in the release. “We’ve been in Tempe since 1996 and are honored to be able to give back in such an impactful way.”

Mittman noted in his statement that the median individual income in Tempe was $31,926, household income was $61,290 and eight of the 23 schools qualify to provide free lunch to all students with 53% of remaining students qualifying for free or reduced lunch. 

This program will provide the Tempe Elementary community with the following benefits:

• Access to medical care for the prevention and early identification of health conditions,
• An opportunity to educate children and parents in self-care,
• Fostering a healthy community, since good health is critical for scholastic success and effective learning, 
• Consistency in education.

The community clinic hours are every Tuesday and Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Sonoran University Medical Center. Appointments can be made by calling 480-970-0000; when scheduling identify your relationship with Tempe Elementary School District.

For information on Sonoran University and the community clinics, visit www.sage.sonoran.edu.