ROBERT PIERCE
• Leader & Times
One school year just ended in the area, and a new school year is only a couple months away.
Many local and area students participate in organized sports, and in order to do so, a physical exam is required from a medical provider.
With the need for such exams, doctors’ offices could likely see high numbers of young athletes coming through their doors.
One of those offices is Southwest Medical Center’s 15th Street Family Care Center (FCC), and while that office provides physicals during its normal business hours, the center is offering two clinics from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 20 and July 18 at a discounted price of $25.
“We set up two days with special prices to do sports physicals that are required by the state to participate in athletics,” FCC’s Dr. Tanya Pittman said. “We’ll be filling out their forms for them and making sure they’re clear and safe to participate in athletics.”
Pittman added it is not just Liberal students who can take advantage of the clinic, as those in area communities like Hugoton, Sublette, Satanta, Kismet, Plains and Meade can also take part. Those in Oklahoma Panhandle communities such as Hooker, Guymon, Tyrone, Turpin, Beaver and Forgan can come too, and Pittman said even older students such as those at Seward County Community College can get an exam.
“They can come for the college physicals if they need one to do college sports,” she said. “Some places do their own, but some of them don’t. We’ll do a head-to-toe exam, make sure their hearts sound good.”
Forms are available online, and Pittman said forms will also be available at the clinics themselves.
“If they don’t have a form, we will have a form for them,” she said. “They will just have to have it all filled out before we can see them.”
Pittman said young athletes need to take advantage of this affordable and convenient way to make sure they are ready to hit the field.
“We can identify any problems and follow up on those here at the clinic if needed,” she said.
Physicals are good for the entire school year, meaning winter and spring athletes are likewise covered, but Pittman emphasized the need for fall athletes to get their exams.
“Fall sports kids can’t start unless they’ve had their physical,” she said.
Both Pittman and Diaz-Aguilar said lines at the clinic should help athletes get in and out fast.
“It depends on the demand, but generally, they move pretty quickly,” Pittman said.
“As long as they have forms filled and they have everything that requires a signature completed, we can definitely maximize that time and get in as many people who are wanting to come,” Diaz-Aguilar said.
This year’s clinics will likewise have more providers than in the past, as SWMC doctors will be joining those at the Family Care Center in giving physicals.
“It’s a service to the community to make it more convenient for them and cost effective,” Pittman said.
“It saves a lot of time, and with having more providers available to do them, everybody gets serviced,” Diaz-Aguilar said.
For more information about the sports physical clinics, visit the Family Care Center at 555 W. 15th Street in Liberal, or call 620-624-0705. Diaz-Aguilar said notice will be given if an August clinic is needed at a later time.
“Typically, that’s when sports practices and sports camps begin for all the school districts,” she said. “That’s when they’ll need to know.”
Both Pittman and Diaz-Aguilar are excited to help athletes get ready for the new school year and their fields of pursuit.
“Speaking as a parent, I know my child will definitely want to participate in all the sports the whole year,” Diaz-Aguilar said. “She’ll want to make sure she has all the requirements ready to go before the season starts. I’m sure all the parents would like the same for their children and likewise for our students.”
