The Corner Hires Certified Physician Assistant for Sturgis Public Schools’ Student Help & Healing Center
YPSILANTI, Mich. (Cornerhealth.org) – The Corner Health Center has hired Johanna Orca-Handyside, PA-C, as its Certified Physician Assistant at Sturgis Public School’s Student Help & Healing Center, announced Tuesday, Feb. 17. The Sturgis site is the Corner’s newest school-based health clinic; Orca-Handyside will join Medical Assistant Brianna O’Brien at Sturgis’ health center.
“I am so excited to be practicing in Sturgis, caring for the children of a community that helped raise me. My practice is based on forming meaningful connections with my patients and ensuring that all medical care is provided in an atmosphere of mutual trust and understanding without judgment. As a long-time resident of the area, I understand the needs within our community and I’m looking forward to being able to meet those needs and to uncover other areas in which our young and adolescent population can be supported.”
The healing center offers same-day appointments to children ages 3-21 years old for things such as yearly physical exams, dental and vision screenings, point-of-care tests, crisis intervention, sports physicals, sick visits, immunizations, sports injuries, and referrals for resources such as food, shelter, financial issues, and transportation. The center accepts and bills all insurance but will not turn any young person away. In addition, support is available in Spanish. For more information, click here. The Sturgis team is looking to add a Behavioral Health Therapist to the team. Apply to join today! Or follow us on Facebook.
The clinic is located at 1555 East Chicago Road, Sturgis, MI 49091, hours are 7:30am-3:30pm Monday through Friday, and you can schedule an appointment by calling 269-216-9170.
“We are grateful for our partnership with the Corner Health Center. We are excited to welcome Johanna to the team and look forward to her leadership as we work together to support the health and wellness of our students."
Growing up in Sturgis, Orca-Handyside earned her bachelor’s degree at the University of Michigan (2003) and her master’s at Western Michigan University (2020). Prior to her work at the Corner, Orca-Handyside served as a Care Provider for Oak Street Health (CVS Health) in Mishawaka, Indiana.
The Sturgis Student Help and Healing Center is one of three school-based health sites under the umbrella of the Corner Health Center. Below is a list of all the Corner Health Center’s school-based health sites:
- Expanding, Enhancing Emotional Health (E3) program
o Location: W.A.V.E. (Washtenaw Alliance for Virtual Education)
- School Wellness Program
o Location: Washtenaw International High School and Middle Academy
- Sturgis Public School's Student Help & Healing Center
o Location: Eastwood Elementary School
The mission of the Corner Health Center is to inspire 12- to 25-year-olds (and their children) to live and sustain healthy lives by providing them with judgment-free, affordable health and wellness care and education. To stay updated on all things related to The Corner Health Center, visit www.cornerhealth.org, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok (@CornerHealthCenter).