High school athletes across the Miss-Lou region are either in the middle of spring sports and spring training or getting prepared for the upcoming 2017–2018 season. Merit Health Natchez and other local medical professionals want to make sure these athletes are in top physical condition, and I am pleased to announce that we will be hosting free sports physicals for all area high school athletes who will be entering the eighth through 12th grade for upcoming season. This event will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at The Doctor’s Pavilion, located next door to Merit Health Natchez.

We have been working with the coaches and administration at the local schools to arrange times for their prospective athletes to receive their physicals. The physicals are being offered for any athlete going into the eighth through 12th grade where participation is dependent upon a clearance from a physician. Students receiving a physical will pass through numerous stations including height and weight; vision; blood pressure and heart rate; and then the examination and the completion of the required forms by a physician or nurse practitioner. Dr. Dan McCallum, Orthopedist, will be on hand the entire day to examine students who have an existing orthopedic issue or one has been identified during the screening.

Coaches’ at all local schools have been given the required forms to be signed by a parent or guardian for students under the age of 18. The athlete is required to bring these forms, along with the required signatures to the event on Saturday in order to be seen. If the forms are not signed, the athlete will not be able to pass through the stations and will be responsible for getting the physical at some other point.

The required forms include either a Mississippi or Louisiana Athletic Pre-Participation Form, an Emergency Medical Authorization and an Endorsement/Photo Consent Release Form that will stay on file throughout the school year.

Athletes who complete the physical on Saturday will be given a copy of the Pre-Participation Form that he or she can use for any summer camps they may be attending.  If medical issues are identified by the medical professionals on Saturday that need further attention or testing, the athlete will not be cleared until a follow up appointment with the provider of their choice has been made and that provider completes the paperwork.

The schedule for the schools is listed below. If a child cannot come with his school at the designated time due to another commitment, they are welcome to come at another time during the day. No student will be turned away that has the proper paperwork completed. In order for us to manage time and traffic control, we do ask that parents and guardians who attend to wait in a designated area set aside until the examination is completed. Students participating will receive a free T-shirt and it is our hope that parents, guardians and coaches will see this event as an incredible opportunity for their student-athletes to have a quality physical exam. Please note that this sports physical is not intended to replace a student’s regular physical exam with their primary care physician, but it will meet requirements to medically clear these athletes so they can participate in summer camps as well as sports for the upcoming school year.

Please join me in thanking Dr. Daniel McCallum, Dr. Rick Ricalde, Dr. Jennifer Russ, Dr. Barbara Smith and Nurse Practitioners Angie Waller and Charla Knapp for volunteering their time to make this event a success, as well as the dozens of hospital employees who will be on hand to assist.

Also, to all the schools’ coaches and administrative staff who have worked with us and allowed us to work with your athletes during this school year. It has been a pleasure, and we look forward to a great 2017-2018 season for our athletes.

Schedule of schools and times for Saturday’s event:

–8 a.m. — Natchez High Baseball and Softball

–8:30 a.m. — Cathedral – 8:30 a.m.

–9:30 a.m. — ACCS – 9:30 a.m.

–10:15 a.m. — Delta Charter and Trinity Episcopal

–10:30 a.m. — Natchez Adams School District 

–11:30 a.m. — Vidalia High School

–1 p.m. — Vidalia Junior High, Ferriday Junior High and Ferriday High School

Fred Worthy is a certified athletic trainer and head trainer for Merit Health Natchez.