The Okaloosa County School District is launching a new Employee Health Clinic next month as part of its push to control healthcare costs and expand benefits for staff.

• The clinic, located at the Okaloosa Technical College Fort Walton Beach Campus on Lewis Turner Boulevard, will officially open following a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, April 2 at 1:45 p.m. The facility will be operated in partnership with Marathon Health, a national provider of employer-based primary care services.

District employees and their dependents enrolled in the OCSD health plan will have access to free medical services and no-cost pharmaceuticals through the clinic. The facility is designed to improve access to both preventative care and chronic condition management. 

“The Employee Health Clinic reflects OCSD’s commitment to caring for its employees by offering free medical services, no-cost pharmaceuticals for eligible employees and dependents enrolled in the district’s health plan, and improved access to preventive and chronic care,” Superintendent Marcus Chambers said. “The clinic also supports the district’s transition to a self-funded healthcare model, which has resulted in approximately $3 million in annual savings, while maintaining high-quality coverage and reducing family premiums.”

The clinic is a central piece of the district’s shift to self-funded healthcare, a model that has already saved OCSD roughly $3 million annually while preserving comprehensive coverage options for employees and their families.

Assistant Superintendent Lindsay Maxey emphasized the connection between employee wellness and the district’s broader educational mission.

• “This clinic represents a long-term investment in our people,” Maxey said. “When we take care of our employees, we strengthen our ability to take care of students and ensure the continued success of our district.”

Marathon Health CEO Jeff Wells noted that bringing healthcare services directly to employees removes common barriers to seeking care.

“When care is convenient, affordable and relationship-based, employees are more likely to seek preventative care and manage chronic conditions earlier,” Wells said.

The Okaloosa County School District is one of the largest employers in the region, and the new clinic is expected to serve thousands of district employees and their family members. By offering on-site primary care, the district aims to reduce absenteeism, improve long-term health outcomes, and continue managing healthcare expenditures responsibly.