Mission, Texas (April 1, 2025) — Mission CISD Nurse Assistant at Bryan Elementary - Dora Martinez is leading a quiet but powerful health revolution—making it easier and faster for students to get the care they need without ever leaving school. Thanks to her dedication and leadership, Mission CISD’s telemedicine program is helping students find relief from symptoms quickly and making life easier for parents.
Bringing Healthcare to the Classroom
With more than 23 years of experience in the medical field, Martinez has spent the last eight years supporting students and families at Bryan Elementary. As a nurse assistant, her job extends far beyond bandages and ice packs—she now helps bring professional medical care to students through telemedicine.
“Telemedicine is such an important resource for our students and parents,” Martinez said. “Sometimes parents can’t leave work or don’t have transportation. This program makes it possible for students to be seen by a provider and get the care they need, right here at school.”
Faster Relief and Fewer Missed Days
Telemedicine has transformed how healthcare is accessed on campus. If a student shows signs of illness—such as a sore throat, fever, or flu symptoms—Martinez can quickly contact the parents and, with their permission, begin a virtual consultation with a licensed healthcare provider. The parent is included in the video call and can be part of the conversation in real-time.
Once the provider evaluates the student, a prescription can be sent directly to the family’s preferred pharmacy. In many cases, the prescription is ready by the time the parent arrives to pick up their child.
“It’s a huge time-saver,” said Martinez. “Parents don’t have to wait at a clinic or miss extra time at work. The visit happens while their child is still at school, and medication is ready for them.”
Building Trust and Improving Student Wellness
Martinez’s commitment to the well-being of students has helped telemedicine become a trusted service at Bryan Elementary. What began with a few hesitant parents has now grown into a widely used resource, with many families proactively requesting a telemedicine visit when their child feels sick.
“Parents feel more comfortable knowing they can be part of the visit and see exactly what’s happening,” Martinez said. “They also appreciate that their child can start feeling better sooner, without the long wait at a doctor’s office.”
Teamwork in Action
Martinez credits much of the program’s success to the seamless teamwork between the school health staff, parents, and telehealth providers. “It’s a team effort. We make sure parents are part of the visit, the provider is informed, and the student feels comfortable throughout the process,” Martinez said.
She also explained how the team works efficiently to serve multiple students who may need care during the day. “Sometimes, we have several parents calling in asking for a telemedicine visit because their child isn’t feeling well. We’re able to coordinate the visits, get the parents connected, and make sure each student receives the care they need without delay.
A Model for the Future of School Healthcare
The benefits extend beyond health. Quick access to care also means students miss fewer school days. In addition to receiving treatment, students are provided with a detailed discharge form documenting the visit and any medications prescribed. This allows parents to easily provide documentation to the school and get their child back to learning sooner.
For Martinez, the success of telemedicine at Mission CISD’s Bryan Elementary is all about putting students’ needs first. “Healthy students are ready to learn. This program allows us to remove barriers and make sure they get the care they need when they need it,” she said.
She hopes to see telemedicine expand to more schools, giving even more families access to this convenient and effective service.
###