Frankfort, Ohio - September 10, 2026 — Today, Adena Health and Adena Local School District celebrated the grand opening of a school-based health center located at 169 W. High Street, Frankfort.
Beginning October 1, the Warrior Wellness Center will offer community fitness, health clinic and pharmacy drive-thru available to Adena Local School District’s students, families, as well as staff and community members.
This school-based health center was made possible through the Appalachian Children’s Health Initiative, a more than $64 million investment from Gov. Mike DeWine that includes dozens of projects to improve access to healthcare in 36 communities across 20 Appalachian counties in Ohio.
As a result of this grant, twenty-seven new school-based health centers are now operating. The new school-based health centers are projected to reach nearly 375,000 youth, families and community members.
“The completion of the Warrior Wellness Center represents a truly transformational moment for Adena Local Schools and the communities we serve,” said Dr. Matthew C. Unger, Superintendent of Adena Local Schools
This facility is much more than a building—it is an investment in the health, wellness, and future of our students, staff, families, and community.
The Warrior Wellness Center brings together education, healthcare, fitness, recreation, and community resources in a way that will create opportunities for generations to come. For our students, it provides greater access to services and experiences that support the whole child. For our staff, it offers additional resources to support health and wellness. For our community, it creates a place where people can come together, improve their health, and remain connected to their schools.
A project of this magnitude would not have been possible without the tremendous partnerships, leadership, and support we have received. On behalf of Adena Local Schools, I want to express my sincere appreciation to Governor Mike DeWine and Director John Carey for believing in this vision and recognizing the importance of investing in the health and future of Ohio's Appalachian communities. I also want to thank the Adena Local Board of Education for its leadership, commitment, and willingness to support a bold vision for the future of our students, district, and community.
We are incredibly proud of what has been accomplished. The Warrior Wellness Center will have an impact far beyond the walls of this facility and will serve as a lasting example of what can happen when schools, government, healthcare partners, and communities work together around a shared vision.”
“Adena Health is deeply committed to ensuring that people and families in our communities have access to the care they need, close to home,” said Kathi Edrington, Adena Health President and Chief Executive Officer.” That commitment extends to our area schools, where school-based health services help ensure that students, staff, and families can access care in a place that is familiar, convenient, and part of their everyday lives. The Warrior Wellness Center is another important step in that commitment, bringing access to primary and preventive care, mental health support, and other essential services directly into the community. With the addition of pharmacy services, we’re expanding that convenience even further and helping remove some of the barriers that can make it difficult for families to access the medications they need. When we bring healthcare and education together in this way, we’re investing not only in healthier students today, but in a healthier future for the entire community.”
Beginning October 1, we will begin taking applications for the fitness center. Hours of operation for the fitness center will be weekdays from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 6:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Weekdays from 1:30 to 6 p.m. will be school priority use.
Medical operating hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., by appointment only starting in September. Pharmacy hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
These school districts are also the first districts in Ohio to have access to the new Burrow Blueprint program. This program will give school-based primary care teams the tools they need to confidently address student mental health needs through education and training on primary care mental health, peer-to-peer support and connection to behavioral health services for consultation.
The grant funding of this project was made possible by the Appalachian Children Coalition in partnership with Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
“For many children and families, the lack of access to local health care services leads to a number of negative health and educational outcomes,” said Randy Leite, PhD, strategic advisor of the Appalachian Children Coalition. “The school-based centers and services will provide care that is so desperately needed. By connecting schools with health care partners nearby, we are improving access to essential care for thousands of children and their families”
To ensure seamless implementation across the many projects, and sustained success of these efforts and investment, the project incorporates built-in technical assistance support from Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Nationwide Children’s operates 20 school-based primary care centers in central Ohio and has partnered with the state of Ohio, health care providers, nonprofit funders, school nurses and school districts across the state to support the development of school-based health programs in over 38 mostly Appalachian counties.
“Many of these children don’t have a medical home or access to important primary care services,” said Mary Kay Irwin, EdD, senior director of school health services for Nationwide Children’s. “These new school-based health centers are bringing essential, timely care to the students where they are and will help them be healthier and as a result perform better in the classroom.”
For more information about Nationwide Children’s school-health services, visit NationwideChildrens.org/SchoolHealth.
The Warrior Wellness Center represents a unique partnership focused on strengthening the health and well-being of Adena Local Schools and the surrounding community. Established by Adena Local School District in partnership with Adena Health, the facility is located within the district’s new athletic field complex and brings together athletics, fitness, healthcare, wellness, and community services in one convenient location.
Designed to serve students, families, staff, and community members, the Warrior Wellness Center provides spaces that support physical activity, healthcare, social connection, and overall wellness. By combining school and community resources with accessible healthcare services, the center creates opportunities for individuals and families to improve their health and quality of life close to home.
A Facility Designed for Athletic, Wellness, and Community
The Warrior Wellness Center includes a variety of spaces designed to meet the needs of Adena Local Schools’ athletic programs. These areas include home and visitor locker rooms with restrooms and showers, a training room, additional restroom and shower facilities, an officials’ office with a restroom, a concession area, and public restrooms. These spaces provide modern amenities to support student-athletes, coaches, officials, spectators, and visiting teams.
Beyond athletics, the facility was designed to be a true community resource. Shared spaces include a gymnasium with a walking track and bleachers, a community room with an occupancy of 83, and a community fitness center. These areas provide opportunities for exercise, recreation, programs, meetings, and community gatherings, creating a welcoming environment for people of all ages.
Bringing Healthcare Closer to the Community
An important component of the Warrior Wellness Center is the inclusion of dedicated healthcare spaces. The facility features a pharmacy with drive-thru access as well as a health clinic with exam rooms and laboratory space. Integrating healthcare services within the complex helps make important health resources more convenient and accessible for students, families, and members of the surrounding community.
A Collaborative Community Investment
The Warrior Wellness Center is made possible through the collaboration and support of several organizations committed to improving the health and well-being of children, families, and communities. Project partners include Adena Local School District, Adena Health, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and the Appalachian Children’s Coalition.
The project represents a significant investment in the future of the Adena community. Funding includes a $6,000,000 grant award along with $2,500,000 in local funding. Additional support through donations totaling $200,000 will further enhance the facility and the programs and services available within it.
More than a new building, the Warrior Wellness Center is an investment in the future of the Adena community. By bringing together education, athletics, fitness, healthcare, and community resources under one roof, the center provides a place where students, families, and community members can connect, stay active, access important services, and pursue healthier lives for years to come.