Although the athletes were charged a nominal fee, the hospital turned this fee around and donated the funds back to the schools on Thursday. A total of $7,400 was donated back to 14 schools: Corvallis High School and Middle School, Daly School, Darby High School and Middle School, Hamilton Christian Academy, Hamilton School and Middle School, Pines Academy, Stevensville High School and Middle School, and Victor High School and Middle School.
Stephanie Beck from Hamilton Christian Academy said this money would go to pay for coaches for their brand new track and cross-country programs. The school is now K-10, and has runners competing this fall in cross-country. HCA will have a track team in the spring.
Many of the schools use the money to supplement their general athletic funds that pay for referees, transportation, uniforms and gear. Darrell Holland, athletic director at Hamilton High School, had high praise for the program.
“What they provide for the schools here is tremendous. With the doctors and staff donating their time (for the physicals) and then donating the money back to the schools, we are so fortunate,” Holland said. “Then, when you have a state of the art facility right here in our back door, it’s amazing.”
At the gathering on Thursday morning, the hospital not only handed out the donations, they also talked about their Acute Care Clinic and how the clinic would help athletes who have been injured. The Acute Care Clinic is offering a coupon to parents and schools to use in the event an athlete is injured. Instead of having to wait for an appointment a couple of weeks after an injury, the athlete can get into the office right away. This appointment consists of a visit and a basic X-ray. The ‘coupons’ are available at all schools and coaches are encouraged to let the parents know of this. A coach or a trainer must sign the coupon and a parent or guardian must accompany the athlete.
“This is basically a ‘move to the front of the line’ coupon,” said Dr. Michael Dolecki, an orthopedic surgeon. He recently came on board at the hospital and was very impressed with the program for the schools and the athletes. Although he moved here from the Ronan/Polson area, he received his training in Pennsylvania and has experience with university and professional sports teams.
“When an athlete with an injury comes to the Acute Care Clinic, we can make a diagnosis, plan of action and possibly get that player back out there sooner. We also want people to know they don’t have to go north to get great care, they can stay here and get it locally,” said Dolecki.