Health Commons at Pond is expanding its free student health services following national recognition for its work and new grant funding to support the clinic. 

A partnership between Bloomington Public Schools (BPS) and the Minnesota State University Mankato College of Allied Health and Nursing provides free health care for children and young adults from birth to age 21. Services include sports physicals, immunizations, well child visits, and illness visits. 

The clinic recently received the Exemplary Academic-Practice Partnership award from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, an honor only three programs receive each year nationwide. The award will be presented at an event in Washington, D.C. in October. This follows the clinic’s national Gold Standard rating for clinical excellence awarded by The National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics this summer.

New grants will provide funds for Health Commons at Pond to expand operations and support student engagement:

• $75,000 grant from Otto Bremer Trust/Greater Twin Cities United Way: Expands current care capacity. Staff are exploring the ability to add transportation vouchers and low-cost or free prescriptions.
• $10,000 grant from City of Bloomington: Supports the Teen Advisory Board, a group of Jefferson and Kennedy High School students interested in healthcare and health policy careers who bring their student perspectives to the services the clinic provides. They’re also carrying out an anti-vaping campaign in their schools with support from Health Commons at Pond.
• $245,000 MN Department of Health School-based Health Center grant. Awarded in 2025-26, this three-year grant allows the addition of audiology services including hearing screenings, expanded mental health therapy program, and increased capacity for basic services.