Byline: Anita Weier The Capital Times
UW Health and the Dane County Sports Medicine Council are teaming up with second-year medical students from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health to offer free physicals Wednesday to uninsured high school athletes.
Doctors, athletic trainers, residents, medical students and Spanish translators will be present at the Access Community Health Center at 2202 S. Park St. Wednesday from 6 to 9 p.m. to provide athletic physical exams and immunizations.
The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association requires that high school athletes undergo a physical exam to be eligible to play, which causes problems for those whose families do not have health insurance.
It is estimated that 2 to 5 percent of high school athletes in Dane County fit that category.
'This is a nice opportunity to take care of a large group of student athletes who have no health insurance or very limited financial resources,' said Joe Greene, supervisor of athletic training services at the UW Health Sports Medicine Center.
Last year, more than 40 student athletes in the Madison area attended the clinic.
'This is a very basic physical to screen for serious conditions that might put a student at risk, and also to find problems that the student could work on to prevent injuries,' said Doug Feingold, a spokesman for UW Health.
The exam -- which takes about 45 minutes -- covers height, weight, blood pressure, eyes, ears, nose, throat, bones, muscles and joints.
Student athletes should try to arrive at the following assigned times: Students with last names beginning with A-H at 6 p.m., I-P at 6:45 p.m., Q-Z at 7:30 p.m.
Parents are encouraged to attend, and they must be present for their child to receive immunizations. They should also bring their child's immunization record.
All athletes are asked to wear shorts for the exam and female athletes are asked to wear tank tops.
Athletes who have insurance and need an athletic physical should not attend this clinic, but should schedule an appointment with their doctor, UW Health officials stressed.
THE DETAILS
Who: Uninsured high school athletes may receive sports physicals from doctors, athletic trainers, residents, and medical students. Spanish interpreters will be present.
What: The examination takes about 45 minutes and covers height, weight, blood pressure, eyes, ears, nose, throat, bones, muscles and joints.
When and where: Access Community Health Center, 2202 S. Park St., Wednesday from 6 to 9 p.m. Student athletes should try to arrive at the following assigned times: Students with last names beginning with A-H at 6 p.m., I-P at 6:45 p.m., Q-Z at 7:30 p.m.
Immunizations: Parents must be present for a child to receive immunizations. They should also bring the child's immunization record.
E-mail: aweier@madison.com
