Ozarks Healthcare Reminds Families of Remaining Free Student Athlete Physical Opportunities

As summer activities and fall sports seasons approach, Ozarks Healthcare is reminding families that two free student athlete physical opportunities remain for area students.

Ozarks Healthcare will provide free sports physicals at the Willow Springs School District on July 7 and for the Alton R-IV School District at the Oregon County Health Department on July 31.

These physicals help students meet participation requirements for athletics and school activities while ensuring they are healthy and ready for the upcoming school year.

Throughout the spring and summer, Ozarks Healthcare providers and staff have partnered with school districts across the region to offer convenient, on-site physicals. To date, free physicals have been provided for students in the Koshkonong R-3, Fairview, Junction Hill C-12, Glenwood R-8, Richards R-5, Howell Valley R-1, Dora R-3, Thayer R-2, Gainesville, and Winona R-3 school districts.

"Providing free sports physicals is one of the many ways we support the health and well-being of students and families throughout our service area,” Aimee Jarrett, Ozarks Healthcare Vice President of Ambulatory Services, said. "These events help remove barriers for families while ensuring students are prepared to safely participate in athletics and other school activities."

Sports physicals play an important role in identifying potential health concerns before students begin athletic participation. They also encourage regular preventive care and support healthy, active lifestyles.

Students who are unable to attend their school's scheduled physical day may schedule a makeup appointment through the Ozarks Healthcare Zizzer Clinic. The clinic is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. for lunch) and can be reached at 417-505-7123. Please note that the clinic will be closed during the month of July.

Families should contact their school office or nurse for information regarding forms and specific details for their school's physical day.

Ozarks Healthcare remains committed to expanding access to healthcare services and supporting student health throughout south-central Missouri. For more information, visit www.ozarkshealthcare.com.

Ozarks Healthcare is a not-for-profit health system that serves more than 160,000 residents across south-central Missouri and northern Arkansas. With its main campus residing in West Plains, Missouri, the health system offers a full spectrum of healthcare for all ages through its 114-bed hospital, behavioral health, therapies, pharmacies, rehabilitation, and home care services, along with specialty and family medicine clinics. Ozarks Healthcare has rural locations across an eight-county service area and is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations.