Christus Health provided free athletic physicals to middle and high school students from numerous schools in the Tyler area Wednesday at W.T. Brookshire Conference Center in Tyler.

The event served students in Tyler ISD and surrounding schools including All Saints, Arp, Big Sandy, Chapel Hill, Cumberland, Bishop T.K. Gorman, Grace Community, Harmony, Hawkins, Lindale, Mineola, West Rusk, Whitehouse and Winona.

The University Interscholastic League (UIL) and Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) requires all student-athletes to have a medical history form signed before athletic participation. A medical history form accompanies each physical examination. Schools were provided the paperwork from UIL and TAPPS and sent information home with students to be filled out prior to the events.

While students can go see their pediatrician and get their physicals done there, it can be hard for parents and students to find the time. In addition, they might have to pay for the visit.

“These pre-participation physicals are designed to maintain the health and safety of athletes,” said Carson Powell, sports medicine coordinator, Christus Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Institute, Tyler. “Our goal is to make sure these student-athletes are healthy and that we detect any conditions that may predispose them to injury or identify those at risk for life-threatening conditions.”

Each athlete was evaluated by a certified health care professional which includes a detailed medical history, orthopedic screening, blood pressure and heart rate screening, and medical physical,

The event was broken down into stations — orthopedics screening, blood pressure and a physician evaluation. This made the event run more smoothly, said Powell. Athletic trainers, nurses, and physicians all had roles to play during the free physicals. 

Powell explained a student’s physical report stays with the school so they are all ready for the coming year. 

Dr. William Hobbs, Christus Mother Frances institute chair for orthopedic surgery and sports medicine, checked student-athletes’ hearts and lungs. He listens to make sure there are not any murmurs or wheezing. In addition, staff assess a student-athlete’s family history.

In order to see over 3,000 kids, 40 to 50 providers were on hand, Hobbs said.

Schools arrived at their scheduled time, loading off buses and into the conference center.

Arp ISD came for the second time this year to get free physicals. Arp Junior High Girls Coordinator Angelia Noel brought 62 female student-athletes and the district overall brought around 300 students.

Families in Arp have to drive to Tyler to get their physicals done because the small town lacks doctors. Being able to get their physicals for free and done all at once through this event makes it easier for them, said Noel. 

Ginnie Covey, Christus Trinity Mother Frances magnet program director, saw a steady amount of students coming Wednesday morning. She along with two other staff members took forms from students and directed them what stations to go to after getting their blood pressure checked.

Covey remembers her mother scheduled her physical for her when she was a student-athlete. However, she knows not everyone can easily see a doctor.

“Not every family has insurance,” Covey said. “So this is a way we can support our community.”

Many of the physicians who were volunteering Wednesday work in orthopedics. Family medicine physician Dr. Brent Wadle took time to come volunteer at the event.

“It’s really a good time for us to give back to the community,” Wadle said. “This is a way we can get kids that may not normally come in to make sure they’re ready for sports and then in the end have a relationship too if they do get hurt.”

Christus has trainers who work with students to prepare for the season and help prevent injuries, and of course treat them if they do get injured during the season. Many of the staff on hand Wednesday recognized the athletes from previously working with them on the sidelines during football season, for example. 

During football season, Christus Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute provides a free clinic on Saturdays for student athletes in Longview, Sulphur Springs and Tyler. For more information visit https://www.christushealth.org/get-care/services-specialties/orthopedics/sports-medicine/saturday-sports-medicine-clinic.

The next free physical event will be in Longview on May 8 at Spring Hill High School for athletes from Hallsville, Hughes Springs, Jefferson, Leverett’s Chapel, Longview Christian, Ore City, Pine Tree Spring Hill, St. Mary’s School, Tatum and Union Grove.

Casey Reed, sports medicine coordinator for Christus Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Institute in Longview, estimated more than 10,000 athletes will receive a free physical during multiple events in the spring.

“We understand it may be difficult for families to take off work and pay for physicals,” Reed said. “Our goal with these events is to remove barriers to healthcare to ensure athletes can participate in the activities they love.”

If a player from a participating school misses their date, they can find a provider near them at www.christushealth.org, or by calling (903) 315-3000 in Longview or (903) 593-8441 in Tyler to schedule an appointment. Those in-office physicals will be charged as an office visit and will not be free.