Spartanburg Day School

Jonathan Green, the licensed Family Nurse Practitioner who leads Spartanburg Day School’s campus medical clinic, will graduate on Saturday, Dec. 13, as part of the inaugural class of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at USC Upstate.

Green has spent the past two years completing the online doctoral program while continuing to expand healthcare services at Spartanburg Day School. His graduation marks a milestone not only for USC Upstate but also for the Spartanburg Day School community he has served since January 2023.

“My career goal was not necessarily to be a nursing executive. My goal was to be with the patient,” Green said. “I wanted to be able to take care of the patient and grow in the role of a clinician. USC Upstate’s program allowed me to do just that.”

A graduate of Spartanburg High School, Green earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from USC Upstate before completing a Master of Science in Nursing with a Family Nurse Practitioner concentration from Columbus State University. He is board certified in family medicine. His doctoral studies required more than 500 additional clinical hours, bringing his total postgraduate clinical experience to more than 1,000 hours.

Green said his grandparents played a formative role in encouraging him to pursue advanced education.

“They always pushed me to set my sights high and encouraged me to earn a doctorate one day,” he said.

Originally, Green planned to become a certified athletic trainer and eventually an orthopedic surgeon. During his years at Spartanburg High School, he was heavily involved in athletic training and fully expected that path to shape his future. Over time, however, his goals began to shift.

“Life happens, and sometimes the path you picture for yourself changes,” he explained. “I realized I did not want to be limited to just athletic training. I also realized I could make a significant impact as a Nurse Practitioner. Nursing has allowed me to focus on the human response and on how patients respond to treatments and care.”

At Spartanburg Day School, Green took over the nurse’s office and established the Griffin Clinic, the first school-based medical clinic of its kind in the Upstate. The clinic provides routine testing, vaccines, lab work, injury care, and telehealth services for students, faculty, and staff. Spartanburg Medical Center physician Dr. Baker Boles serves as the collaborating medical director.

“We wanted our clinic to be more than handing out bandages and ice packs,” Green noted. “Our goal was to be a greater benefit to our students and our faculty and staff. We are not a replacement for their regular doctors, but we are proud to be an extension of their healthcare. We see our students every day, so we often know when something is wrong. We also get to see the benefits of the care we provide.”

Green also serves as Spartanburg Day School’s assistant athletic director of sports medicine. For the third consecutive semester, he is leading a sports medicine internship for Upper School students.

Spartanburg Day School also benefits from a partnership with Carolina Orthopedics and Neurological Associates. Dr. Dan Gerscovich serves as the school’s team physician and provides care and medical oversight for SDS student athletes. Green said Gerscovich’s contributions play an important role in supporting athlete health and safety while also enhancing hands-on learning opportunities for students in the school’s sports medicine programs.

Those real-world experiences extend into the classroom as well. During his time at SDS, Green launched a Health Science special studies course for students interested in medical careers. For a small group of those students, that interest grew into a deep personal investment in healthcare and patient safety. Motivated by their belief in the importance of lifesaving skills, they drafted and proposed legislation at a Youth in Government conference in Columbia that would require all South Carolina teachers to be CPR certified. The Youth Governor signed the bill into law at the conference.

“I appreciate that we have an administration that encourages students to explore what they are passionate about,” Green said. “I also appreciated the confidence shown in me to lead that group of students who have a heart for healthcare.”

Green’s work extends well beyond the school campus. He volunteers at St. Luke’s Free Medical Clinic in downtown Spartanburg, where he cares for uninsured and underserved patients. His doctoral dissertation focused on public health and barriers to care in free clinic settings.

“There are many factors that can prevent patients from following through with care,” Green explained. “Some patients may not understand instructions. Others face financial barriers. It is often wrong to label someone as noncompliant when they are facing those challenges.”

Green said his volunteer work at St. Luke’s continues to shape his professional mission.

“Everyone should have direct access to proper healthcare, not just those with financial means,” he said. “People do not choose to be sick, and they should not have to choose between their health and putting food on the table. That is why I am passionate about volunteering at St. Luke’s and studying how our care improves patients’ lives.”

Green credited Registered Nurse Lynne Parks with playing a key role in the success of the Griffin Clinic. “I cannot stress enough how much Nurse Lynne contributes to us reaching our goals and meeting our expectations,” he said.

Spartanburg Day School Head of School Dave Skeen said Green’s leadership has transformed the school’s approach to student and employee health.

“Jonathan’s work has reshaped the way our school supports the health of our students and employees,” Skeen said. “His dedication, expertise, and compassion reflect the very best of our mission and our community.”

As he prepares to receive his doctorate later this week, Green said his commitment to patient-centered care remains unchanged. He continues to lead a clinic that has become a cornerstone of the Spartanburg Day School experience and an example of how education and healthcare can work hand in hand.

USC Upstate contributed to this article. Photo provided by USC Upstate.