Medical services
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Located in the Nesbitt Infirmary, Portsmouth Abbey’s medical services unit is staffed 24 hours per day, seven days per week by Registered Nurses. From dispensing prescribed medication to treating acute illness and injury, we ensure every student receives excellent attention and care.
| Mrs. Lisa DeSousa, ADN, RN, CPN |
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Director of Medical Services Registered Nurse |
The School’s physician, Dr. Stephen Butler, is on call for emergencies seven days per week and sees boarding students during scheduled clinic hours. Referrals to specialists and routine medical and dental appointments for boarding students are conveniently coordinated by the staff. Students requiring evaluation for emergencies are transported to Newport Hospital, just eight miles down the road in Newport, R.I.
The responsibilities of high school can be a lot to manage sometimes, but that’s how students grow. To help support them, our school psychologists, Dr. Norman Weitzberg and Dr. Anne Davidge are available for counseling several days per week. Any student can make an appointment for themself, or be referred by a parent, houseparent, advisor or other faculty member.
Medical Requirements
Portsmouth Abbey School utilizes Magnus Health for confidential and convenient student health information management. Upon enrollment, you will be invited to create an account to provide the following required medical records:
- A recent (within the past 12 months) physical exam signed by a doctor, physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner providing clearance for sports activities.
- Immunization records in accordance with the requirements of the Rhode Island Department of Health. (Full list here.)
- Evidence of private health insurance. 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.
- All prescription medications must have a written order signed by the prescribing physician. All prescription medications are dispensed by medical staff.
Current parent? Please refer to the Parent Portal for more detailed information.
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Mrs. Lisa DeSousa, ADN, RN, CPN 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 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. 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 the 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. 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. |