MDMH sports physical program benefits local schools

The high school sports season is almost upon us but prior to the games and even the practices, these student athletes must have a sports physical. Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital opened their doors last Thursday night to over 100 athletes and their parents. The hospital will do this one more time on August 12th at 6pm.
The program performs the physicals that are mandated by the Montana High School Association before an athlete can participate, whether they are in middle school or high school. This program has been going on in some manner for about 10 years. The cost is $25 per student but once the numbers have been tabulated, these fees are donated back to the athlete’s respective schools.
Dr. Kathleen Harder-Brouwer has been involved in the program for many years. She said the physicals can be expensive and with all of the expenses that comes with play sports like fees and equipment, this is a good way to help the parents and support the schools. She said she has seen some students from as far away as Salmon, Idaho, and sees many of the same kids ,or members of their families, every year.
Karen Wolsky, a nurse at the Bitterroot Physicians Clinic, has been doing this for five years. She is also mom to a high school athlete and a junior high athlete. “It helps having it all in one spot, it’s very convenient.”
The participants and their parent or guardian begin the trek at the door where they sign in. From there, the boys are marshaled in one area while the girls head the opposite direction. As soon as an examining room opens up, another student goes right back in. From there, they proceed to the exercise room of the rehab facility where their eyes are checked and other vital statistics are taken. The entire process is run like a military operation and very few bobbles occur.
Janet Vercruyssen of Victor said she had been bringing her son, Galen, to this for four years. “It’s a very smooth and well-run operation. There’s no waiting and I like that the money goes back to the schools,” she said.