Free sports physical offered Thursday

Physicians from the Family Care Clinic and St. Luke's Clinic Trinity Mountain (SLCTM) will be offering free school sports physicals this Thursday, Aug. 7, from 1-4 p.m. at the SLCTM offices at 465 McKenna Drive in Mountain Home.

Organized by St. Luke's Elmore Center for Community Health, this year's event will be open to students, grades 6-12, who are required to have a sports physical prior to participating in school sports programs. Sports physicals will be provided on a walk-in, first come basis.

A sports physical exam is known as a pre-participation physical examination (PPE). The exam helps determine whether it's safe for the student to participate in a particular sport. Students should be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Students will need the sports physical form signed and will need to bring their most recent immunization records and a current list of any medications they are taking.

Parents can pre-sign the consent portion of the PPE on the internet at http://goo.gl/45NHBi.

The Sports Physical Clinic is offered to assist those who don't have a family doctor or have not been able to get in to see their regular doctor or who may be uninsured. Students with a family doctor are highly encouraged to see their regular doctor, if possible, for a more complete exam to ensure their overall health.

Central District Health Department (CDHD) will be providing an immunization record assessment and administering age appropriate childhood vaccines at this event. The student's vaccination status will not impact their eligibility to play sports. This is an opportunity to vaccinate students and remind parents of recommended vaccines.

The Special Event Immunization Consent Form may be picked up in advance at Central District Health Department or on the internet at http://goo.gl/JzwshK. The consent form must be completed and submitted by the student the day of the sports physicals.

If a student needs immunizations there is a $20.13 per vaccine administrative fee, payable to CDHD. CCHD will bill a student's insurance/Medicaid for the administration fee(s). If the student is uninsured, they may be billed directly. CDHD offers a sliding fee scale and no one will be denied vaccination due to inability to pay. Questions regarding the available vaccinations should be directed to CDHD at 580-6001.

For more information call the Center for Community Health at 587-8401, ext. 261.