What We Do

Graphic describing services offered by Healthier Lives teamHealthier Lives at School and Beyond is a school-based telehealth program that provides quality nutrition education and counseling, behavioral health, and acute minor medical care services. Our program serves the students, staff, and faculty of medically underserved communities in rural eastern North Carolina. Services are currently offered in Duplin County Schools, Jones County Public Schools, and Clinton City Schools in Sampson County. Whether in school or at home, all appointments take place over a safe and secure online network. This allows patients to stay at school or home and parents to stay at work or home. All virtual care is provided by experienced healthcare professionals from the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University.

Learn more about Healthier Lives on YouTube


Nutrition Education and Counseling

Nutrition education and counseling services are provided by registered dietitians who have experience working with patients of all ages. Providers work with patients to focus on concerns such as weight management, healthy eating, physical activity, changes in eating behaviors, medical nutrition therapy for chronic conditions, and more.


Behavioral Health

Behavioral health services focus on providing short-term behavioral assessment and therapeutic interventions, using proven theories and practices for patients of all ages. Our team members include licensed mental health professionals and closely supervised master’s- and doctoral-level interns. Providers specialize in integrated approaches to healthcare, including an emphasis on biopsychosocial-spiritual or whole-person care. We work alongside each person’s system of support, including families, school, primary care providers and others. Common areas of treatment focus include anxiety, depression, divorce/separation, behavior changes, trauma, and more.


Acute Minor Medical Care

Acute medical services are available to all students, faculty, and staff of Duplin County, Jones County, and Clinton City schools. Our medical providers are based in the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University and the Center for Rural Health Innovations Health-e-Schools program. Services can address minor medical needs, such as earaches, stomach aches, sore throats, asthma, sinus infections, and other minor conditions. This type of medical service is not suitable for serious or chronic health care needs. Acute minor medical care is not meant to replace the patient’s regular medical provider.

Sign up for services.



Healthier Lives at School and Beyond is a cost effective, efficient, and effective means of delivering life changing mental health and nutritional health care to children who really need it. Healthier Lives literally saves and improves the quality of lives of the children and the families of the children they serve.
- Mary Gaylord, MD