Free Physicals Help Ottumwa Hospital Engage Students on Health

Ottumwa Regional Health Center
Ottumwa, IA

Ottumwa Regional Health Center and the Ottumwa Health Group provide sports physicals free of charge for area students. Three nurse practitioners and staff including nurses, receptionists and physical therapists worked after hours and on weekends to provide nearly 250 pre-participation physicals for area students from Ottumwa, Eddyville and Cardinal school districts as well as Indian Hills Community College.

“It is so important for kids to stay physically active and develop healthy habits at an early age,” said Shelley Bechtel, nurse practitioner at the Eddyville Clinic. “By providing the free sports physicals, we help make sure the students are in good health and it is an opportunity to talk with the athletes about topics like concussion and injury prevention.”

This is the third year the Ottumwa Health Group providers and staff have held the free school physicals clinic and area schools are thankful to have the service provided.

“We truly appreciate your team coming to Cardinal to offer our students sports physicals,” said Sherry VanBlaricom, athletics and business secretary for Cardinal Schools. “Your staff is excellent to work with and we look forward to working with you again next year.”

Share this story.