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Hey parents of student-athletes, what's your schedule look like during any given day, week, or month? Pretty packed right? We all know the realities of having students involved in sports in our homes, that schedule seems forever full and cramming in just one more thing: impossible. But one item that needs to be routinely completed is the school sports physical, so your student can keep participating, keep competing. Knowing the craziness that is the life for parents of student-athletes, we have an annual event at our Medical Office Building that will help take care of this all-important item.

We reached out to Teresa Hertz, who is no stranger to parenting student-athletes, and asked for her input on this event. We wanted to know from the parent's unique perspective how this event helps, what you can expect, and most importantly why it is so important for our teens and youth to get this completed every year!

"The sports physical night is wonderful," answered Teresa as to her thoughts and memories on the event each year. "You enter into the MOB and are immediately greeted by people from the school as well as from the doctor's offices to start the registration process. These two groups have come together to make this so easy from the parent's perspective; you sign the release paperwork, pay your $20, and then your child gets taken through the different stations of the exam." Noting how the event moves along at a nice even pace to get the athletes in and seen, "It is simple and painless."

The annual event is a highlight for our MOB staff and the schools, and no less fun for all who attend. "Going through the sports physical process is very upbeat. The kids move from station to station to be tested on different aspects of the exam," stated Hertz. "All of the providers are enthusiastic to be there and focused on evaluating your child."

No less important to our organization is making the student-athletes feel comfortable while also taking that all important step in preparing for the upcoming sports season. "Having the sports physical done on sports physical night ensures my child has all of the paperwork submitted in time for all of the summer camps that come up as well as the sports season they are participating in," noted Teresa. And what is it like for the athletes themselves? "Joining in on this night is another shared experience these students athletes get to have together."

In conclusion, we asked Teresa what is one piece of advice you want parents to know about this event? "While sports physical night is super convenient it isn't for all athletes," she advised. "If your athlete has a pre-existing condition, such as asthma, this is not the way to complete the sports physical exam. Any athlete with a pre-existing condition needs to do their sports physical with their regular physician."

The 2018 Sports Physical Night will be held Wednesday, May 16th from 4-6pm at our Medical Office Building off of Center Street in Douglas. Before attending stop by the Rec Center or Middle School to pick up your physical forms and be sure to bring them with you. The cost is only $20 and promises to be a fun evening for all!