Medical Services

The Portsmouth Abbey Infirmary staff is composed of dedicated medical professionals who provide the utmost attention and care to all students. From dispensing medication to treating illness and injury, rest assured that your child will be well cared for at Portsmouth Abbey School.

The Infirmary is staffed 24 hours per day, seven days per week by Registered Nurses. The School’s physician, Dr. Stephen Butler, is on call seven days per week, and sees boarding students three days per week during scheduled clinic hours. Referrals to specialists and routine medical and dental appointments for boarding students are coordinated by the Infirmary nurses. Students requiring evaluation for emergencies are transported to Newport Hospital in Newport, RI.

Boarding students requiring administration of medication should report to the infirmary between the hours of 7:30am-8:15am on school days, and between 7:30am-11am on Sundays. Evening medications are dispensed between the hours of 5pm-7:30pm. Boarding students who are ill should report to the Infirmary at 7:30am on school days for evaluation. Students should not visit the Infirmary during class time other than in the event of an emergency or acute illness. Any student who needs to visit the Infirmary after 8pm must report his/her illness to a houseparent. The houseparent will notify the Infirmary via telephone, and the student must be escorted by a houseparent or prefect.

Counseling appointments are available three afternoons/evenings per week with the School's psychologists, Dr. Norman Weitzberg and Dr. Anne Davidge. Appointments are coordinated through the Infirmary nurses, and can be made by student self-referral, or through referral from a parent, houseparent, advisor, or other faculty member.

Medical Requirements

All required student health information is completed using the online Magnus Health Student Medical Record. After student enrollment, parents will receive a welcome email from Magnus containing log-in and password information. The Magnus Health website is located at www.magnushealth.com. All forms can be completed online, or scanned and uploaded/faxed directly to Magnus Health. Please DO NOT send any forms to Portsmouth Abbey School.

Please note that every student will be required to submit to Magnus Health a recent (within the past 12 months) physical exam signed by a doctor, physician's assistant, or nurse practitioner which provides clearance for sports activities. Rhode Island residents may submit the “State of Rhode Island School Physical Form” in lieu of the form provided via the Magnus Health website.

Immunization records submitted to Magnus Health must be completed with the day, month and year of each immunization, and meet the immunization requirements in accordance with Rhode Island Department of Health Regulations for entry into school. The required immunizations will be listed on the form provided via the Magnus Health website.

All students are required to provide evidence of private health insurance. International students may purchase a reasonably priced health insurance plan for the school year through ISM Inc. Portsmouth Abbey provides secondary insurance for accidents (not illnesses) that may occur while at school. The secondary insurance can be used to pay costs that are not covered by the student's primary insurance. If your child has an accident while at school, you will receive additional information from the medical staff.

Please note that ALL prescription medications must have a written order signed by the prescribing physician. An order form will be provided via the Magnus Health website, or your physician may use their own order form. Students may NOT keep any prescription medications in the dorm rooms. All prescription medications will be held in the Infirmary and dispensed by the Registered Nurse on duty. Additional information regarding the Portsmouth Abbey Medication Policy is found in the Magnus Health Student Medical Record and is required to be reviewed annually by parents and students.

Procedures for Illness or Injury

Boarding Students: Students who are ill and unable to attend classes must report to the Infirmary. A student may not miss an obligation and report thereafter to the Infirmary in order to be excused, nor can the student stay in his/her room when ill. Students must make all medical appointments through the Infirmary and report to the Infirmary following an appointment in order to inform the Nurses of any medication, treatment, and future appointments. The School Driver is available for transportation to off-campus appointments. There is a $10 fee for local service.

Day Students: Parents should contact Medical Services at (401) 643-1233 between 7:30am and 8:30am if a student will be staying home due to illness. Day students must report to the Infirmary before leaving campus if ill during the school day, and must check-in through the Infirmary if arriving to school late. Parents should notify the Infirmary Nurses of any medical appointments that will require missed classes or other obligations.

Any questions or concerns regarding Medical Services should be directed to Lisa DeSousa, RN, Director of Medical Services, at (401) 643-1233 or ldesousa@portsmouthabbey.org.

Medical Services Staff

Mrs. Lisa DeSousa, ADN, RN, CPN
Director of Medical Services
ldesousa@portsmouthabbey.org
(401) 643-1233

Mrs. DeSousa has been a registered nurse specializing in Pediatrics for 16 years. Before joining the Abbey, she spent her nursing career working at Hasbro Children’s Hospital specializing in the treatment and care of children and adolescents. Mrs. DeSousa has worked both in the inpatient medical/surgical setting as well as in the behavioral health setting. She is a Certified Pediatric Nurse as well as Pediatric Advanced Life Support certified.

Dr. Stephen Butler, DO
School Physician
University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Board Certified Family Practice
sbutlerdmc@gmail.com

Stephen Butler, DO, received his BA in biology and chemistry from San Jose State University in California. He completed his medical degree in Maine at the University Of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine. He trained at the Hunterdon Medical Center Family Practice Residency Program in Flemington, NJ, where he served one year as chief resident before becoming board certified in family practice. Dr. Butler has been the Medical Director of Dartmouth Medical Center since 2000 and Portsmouth Abbey's school physician since 2014.

Dr. Anne Davidge, Ph.D.
Psychologist/School Counselor
(401) 643-1233
adavidge@portsmouthabbey.org

Anne Davidge, PhD, is a licensed psychologist in private practice since 1990 treating children, families, and adults. She provides services at the Lifespan Lyme Clinic since 2015, serves on the Executive Board of the Star Kids Scholarship Program, and joined Portsmouth Abbey in 2014.

Kerrie Escobar BSN, RN
Infirmary Nurse
kescobar@portsmouthabbey.org

Kerrie Escobar, BSN, RN, 15 years psychiatric nursing experience at Newport Hospital Behavioral Health Inpatient Unit, ANCC Board Certified in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, has worked per diem for the Portsmouth Abbey Infirmary and Summer Program since 2013.

Willow Hawk '98, BSN, RN
Infirmary Nurse
University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth
whawk@portsmouthabbey.org

Willow Hawk, BSN, RN, graduated from Portsmouth Abbey School in 1998 before earning a BA in psychology and BSN from the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth. She worked at Bradley Children's Hospital for seven years specializing in pediatric behavioral health. Willow joined the infirmary team in 2013 and recently began teaching the III and IV Form health classes.

Hedi Knowlan, BSN, RN
Infirmary Nurse
American University
hknowlan@portsmouthabbey.org

Hedi Knowlan, BSN, RN, graduated from American University and has worked at the Portsmouth Abbey Infirmary for ten years. Her previous experience includes public school nursing, hospital medical/surgical, ICU, and trauma care.

Amy Stowe, MSN, BSN, RN, CRNA
Infirmary Nurse
MSN, Yale University
MS, University of Texas Health Science Center
astowe@portsmouthabbey.org

Amy Stowe, MSN, BSN, RN, CRNA, spent 20 years in active duty U.S. Army nursing, primarily in critical care and anesthesia. She was previously employed with the Department of Veteran's Affairs in primary care.

Susan Swain, RN
Infirmary Nurse
sswain@portsmouthabbey.org

Susan Swain, RN, has worked in the medical field since joining the U.S. Air Force as a medic in 1997, and has been an RN since 2012. She also has a B.A. in Communications from Pennsylvania State University. Before joining the Abbey in 2022, she worked primarily in behavioral health in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

Susan Wathen, RN
Infirmary Nurse
Northeastern University
Salem State College
swathen@portsmouthabbey.org

Susan Wathen is a registered nurse and educational counselor with over thirty years of experience as both a nurse and a school guidance counselor.

Susan has received degrees from Northeastern University, Salem State College, and University of New Hampshire. Susan's work as a nurse has always focused on children and education and before joining the Abbey Susan worked in Mexico City for three years as a guidance counselor.

Norman Weitzberg, Ph.D.
Psychologist/School Counselor
nweitzberg@portsmouthabbey.org

Norm Weitzberg, PhD, licensed clinical psychologist in private practice since 1978 providing psychotherapy, psychological/neuropsychological evaluations, consultations with hospitals, schools, and mental health centers, joined the Portsmouth Abbey Infirmary team in 2014.

Mrs. Lisa DeSousa, ADN, RN, CPN
Director of Medical Services

Registered Nurse
Certified Pediatric Nurse

ldesousa@portsmouthabbey.org
(401) 643-1233

Mrs. DeSousa has been a registered nurse specializing in Pediatrics for 16 years. Before joining the Abbey, she has spent her nursing career working at Hasbro Children’s Hospital specializing in the treatment and care of children and adolescents. Mrs. DeSousa has worked both in the inpatient medical/surgical setting as well as in the behavioral health setting. She is a Certified Pediatric Nurse as well as Pediatric Advanced Life Support certified.