The Murdock Health Center
A School-Based Health Center Operated by Heywood Hospital at Murdock Middle High School in Winchendon, MA.
Murdock Health Center provides onsite health care services to Murdock Middle High School students. Primary health care is offered during the school day, as well as emotional support and mental health services students may need.
Murdock Health Center’s goal is to provide healthcare in school to:
• Keep students healthy
• Keep students in school
• Educate & empower teens to make healthy lifestyle choices
• Support families
The Health Center is located in the School Nurse’s Suite. It is operated by Heywood Hospital and works together with students, parents, doctors and the Winchendon Public Schools. Discussion with a parent or guardian and notice to the student’s doctor occurs before most treatments.
(There are some exceptions as allowed by law.)
What Services Are Offered?
Primary health services offered at the Health Center include:
• Treatment for acute & chronic illnesses
o Asthma
o Headaches
o Sinus infections
o Skin rashes
o Sore throats
• Medication is prescribed when needed
• Preventive health care/sports physicals
• Reproductive health services
• Other services include classroom education and hosting special programs and guest speakers
Onsite mental health service along with individual emotional support services are available to students when they are feeling sad, stressed-out, or just need to talk to someone.
Group workshops are also offered to students on topics such as:
• Anger Management (self control or controlling emotions)
• Motivational/Drop-out Prevention
• Life and Social Skills
• Self-Esteem
• Leadership
The NP also coordinates referrals for students who may benefit from emotional or behavioral health services.
Who Provides the Services?
Physical health services are provided by a Nurse Practitioner (NP).
Mental health services are provided by private clinicians as well as staff from local agencies.
How Can I Be Seen at the Health Center?
Students may see the Nurse Practitioner at the Health Center by
• Stopping by
• Make an appointment
• Referral from a guidance counselor, teacher or the school nurse
Parents or guardians may also contact the Health Center and speak to
the NP if they would like their son or daughter to be seen.
Are There Costs for Health Center Services?
Physical health services provided by the NP are free to students, but insurance companies will be billed for appropriate services.
Emotional and behavioral health services are also billed to health insurance companies. Co-pays are the responsibility of the insured. If co-pays are unaffordable, or if the family does not have health insurance*, the Health Center will make every attempt to assist the student.
Services referred outside of the Health Center may require co-payments depending on your health insurance.
Renée Boucher, RN, MSN, FNP-C
Primary Care Provider
Renée is an experienced Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and has been working with the students at MMHS since 2007.
She enjoys providing care at MMHS and does her best to give students the time they need to address all their questions and concerns. She’s able to help students with a variety of medical and emotional health issues, and always take the opportunity to promote healthy lifestyle choices. Renée says, “I love watching students thrive and grow into successful, healthy young adults!”
Renée felt an instant passion for working with children while in nursing school, and that passion has guided her career choices. She has worked as a school nurse, as a pediatric home care nurse and as a staff nurse at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Boston. She earned her MSN at UMass Boston, and is a licensed Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). Renée is certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, and has worked as an FNP in a family practice, providing care to children and adults since 2003.
Cindy Rivers, Administrative Assistant
Cindy has been in the health care field for more than 30 years. She worked at Heywood Hospital for 11 years in a variety of positions, including as a Medical Assistant and as a Secretary/Enrollment Specialist for GHAP, the hospital’s health access program. Most recently, she worked at the Franklin County Community Health Center in Medical Records & Referrals.
The generous grant-funding received from the Health Foundation of Central Mass, Kresge Foundation & The Greater Worcester Community Foundation provides the Murdock Health Center the support it needed to coordinate the medical and mental health services for students at the Health Center.
Cindy tells us, “I am fortunate to be working with Renée and school nurse Rebecca Leonard in providing quality health care to the students at Murdock Middle High School.” Cindy acts as the community health worker providing outreach and coordinating all aspects of mental health services for the student population.
Services at the Murdock Health Center are made possible by
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Health Foundation of Central Mass
Heywood Hospital
The Kresge Foundation/Greater Worcester Community Foundation
Winchendon Public Schools
Annie Evans White Foundation
