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April 28, 2008

HRMC offers free sports physicals for student athletes

Haywood Sports Medicine will offer free pre-participation comprehensive sports physicals for middle and high school student athletes, starting at 6 p.m. May 29 at Haywood Regional Health & Fitness Center.

Haywood Sports Medicine is a collaborative sports medicine program involving physicians, athletic trainers, rehabilitation, health and fitness center staff, as well as other medical professionals associated with Haywood Regional Medical Center. These professionals donate their time to perform these individual pre-participation examinations and to complete forms required by the state for student athletes.

All Haywood County sixth through 11th grade students who plan to participate in a school sports activity for the upcoming school year are eligible to have a free pre-participation physical.

Last year, hundreds of student athletes from Canton, Bethel and Waynesville middle schools, Bethel Christian Academy and Tuscola High School received free physicals.

“We are fortunate to have physicians from all specialties — including family practice, internal medicine, pulmonology, cardiology, ear, nose and throat, general surgery, urology and orthopedic surgery — who volunteer their time to provide a comprehensive sports physical,” said Dr. Christofer Catterson, medical director for Haywood Sports Medicine.

The physical exam will include a review of each student’s medical history, height, weight, blood pressure, pulse, vision, general medical condition, musculoskeletal and cardiovascular exams, as required by the N.C. Board of Education. A physical exam is necessary each year for students to participate in athletics. If medical problems are detected, the student athletes and parents will be referred to their physician of choice for follow-up care.

Times for the physicals will be as follows: Canton Middle School, 6 p.m.; Bethel Christian Academy, Haywood Christian Academy and Bethel Middle School, 6:30 p.m.’ Waynesville Middle School, 7 p.m.; and Tuscola High, 7:30 p.m.

Students will need to pick up and complete a medical history packet and parent authorization form at their respective schools prior to receiving the  free physical.

For more information, call 452-8077.