
News
Mobile Medical School and Sports Physicals Clinic Simplifies To-do List for Upcoming Academic Year Easier
Published: July 15, 2024
HAMILTON, Mont. (July 15, 2024)—As children in the greater Bitterroot Valley region head back to school this fall, planning for the new school year begins now. Parents of students interested in participating in sports and related extracurricular activities should book a health physical sooner rather than later.
As back-to-school time approaches, so does the demand for school and sports physicals. Many school programs require that students undergo a health physical to ensure they are healthy enough to participate in their programs.
“Annual physicals are generally recommended for everyone, regardless of age. However, they are particularly important for children,” says Johanna Dreiling, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Sapphire Community Health in Hamilton. “Focusing on preventative care is crucial. It allows parents and primary care providers to monitor a child’s development from a medical standpoint.”
Sapphire Community Health understands how challenging arranging school physical appointments can sometimes be. That is why the local medical center is bringing their traveling Sports and School Physicals Clinic to various regional locations, making this requirement convenient and within reach.
Physical health exams are vital for children entering school for the first time and for many middle and high school students who intend to play sports.
Depending on your child’s age, a physical exam can include many components, including developmental health, a physical examination, vision screening, hearing screening, and age-appropriate lab testing.
When visiting with a medical provider, discussing your child’s vaccination history and schedule is essential to ensure they are current on necessary immunizations.
According to Dr. Dreiling, K-12 students are not the only ones who should schedule physicals. Teenagers preparing to enter college should also see a medical provider.
“Many colleges and universities have vaccination requirements to prevent the spread of common viruses and diseases,” Dr. Dreiling adds. “Most campuses aim to prevent outbreaks of various diseases, including meningitis, tetanus, and human papillomavirus. Additionally, getting annual flu and COVID-19 vaccines could help prevent severe illness.”
Sapphire Community Health is bringing their Mobile Medical Sports and School Physicals Clinic to the below dates and locations:
- July 29, 2024 – 3:00 – 5:30 p.m. – Florence, Mont. – Florence Physical Therapy and Wellness
Parking Lot - Aug. 1, 7, and 8, 2024 – 3:00 – 5:30 p.m. – Hamilton, Mont. – Sapphire Community Health
- Aug. 6, 2024 – 3:00 – 5:30 p.m. – Stevensville, Mont. – Kohl Building Parking lot
Parents or guardians are asked to bring any necessary school forms and a list of current medications.
Medicaid and most private insurance plans generally cover health physicals. Although copays are sometimes required, some plans cover physicals at no cost to patients.
School and sports physicals are available regardless of whether you are a current patient or new to Sapphire Community Health. Current patients are billed via their insurance, as applicable. Physicals for new or uninsured patients are $25. Payments during the traveling clinics are accepted via cash, check, and PayPal.
To make an appointment or for more information about the traveling Sports and School Physicals Clinic, please call Sapphire Community Health at 406-541-0032.
About Sapphire Community Health
Established in 2015, Sapphire Community Health (SCH) is a comprehensive, community-based outpatient primary health and mental healthcare center serving Montana’s greater Bitterroot Valley region. Located in Hamilton, Montana, SCH offers a wide range of patient-centered health and wellness services, including primary healthcare, acute care services, women’s health, pediatric care, clinical laboratory services, mental health counseling, substance abuse counseling, social services, and pharmacy services. For more information, please visit www.sapphirechc.org.