Teresa Fletcher receives Luminary award from Akron Children’s
Brooke Uehlein
Akron Children’s President and CEO Chris Gessner congratulates Teresa Fletcher on her Luminary award.
Teresa Fletcher’s commitment to children and families was recognized as she received the Luminary award during Akron Children’s 2026 “More childhood, please.”TM awards on Sept. 23. The award celebration honors work that supports children spending more time doing what they should be doing: simply being kids.
Teresa serves as the advanced practice manager and program coordinator for Akron Children’s School-Based Health. In her role, she works to bring quality care directly to students within the walls of their school.
Meeting kids where they are
For children and teens, getting the healthcare they need should not have to mean missing a day of school or finding transportation for an appointment. That belief has guided Teresa in building the school-based health practice for Akron Children’s.
“Bringing general medical care into the schools has shown time and time again that many kids would have never received care if it weren’t for our providers being there in the school,” she said.
Prior to this role, Teresa spent 10 years working in adolescent medicine. When the opportunity arose to become involved in school-based health, Teresa said it felt like a natural extension of work she already loved.
“I believe in meeting kids where they are and making them feel normal and seen,” she said. “School-based health seemed like the place where I could grow professionally and bring care directly to the schools.”
Program growth
Over the past five school years, the school-based health center program has grown significantly. Akron Children’s currently serves 24,000 students across 24 Ohio school districts. For Teresa, the program’s expansion represents something larger than numbers or locations. It is trust that providers can deliver care where children spend the bulk of their time. It also reflects a growing understanding of school-based health as an important way to make healthcare more accessible.
The expansion addresses the broader needs of students, such as behavioral healthcare and preventive dental services at some school locations. Future plans include introducing additional pediatric subspecialties at schools.
Gathered with family, her children and colleagues, Teresa poses with her award.
Youth Advisory Council
An initiative close to Teresa’s heart is the Youth Advisory Council. The group gives young people a voice in their care.
“Young people are smart, brave and bold,” she said. “They can recognize health problems within the school and community and have great ideas to help improve those problems. If you can open your ears and hearts to listen to them, they really have amazing things to say.”
Teresa credits the providers and nurses who work alongside her, describing a team that works tirelessly on behalf of students and families.
Their work has ranged from identifying life-threatening conditions to helping students navigate difficult days. Sometimes, the difference they make is as simple as being a trusted adult who can bring a smile to a student’s face.
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