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North Oaks Sports Medicine Helps Local Athletes by Offering Free Physicals.

North Oaks Sports Medicine Helps Local Athletes by Offering Free Physicals.

During the spring season, North Oaks Sports Medicine offers complimentary physicals for student-athletes in Tangipahoa and Livingston parishes. This year, over 1,500 student-athletes from 12 junior high and high schools in the area benefitted.

For more than 30 years, North Oaks has been sponsoring physical days for student-athletes to help families and schools meet the participation requirements set by the Louisiana High School Athletic Association for athletic programs.

"The dedication of our Athletic Trainers and Sports Performance teams, along with numerous physicians and nurse practitioners who generously volunteered their time, made this community service a resounding success," shared Orthopedic and Neurosciences Service Line Director Michael Williams.

The effort put in by North Oaks staff for the physical days has impressed many, including Ponchatoula High School Football Coach Colby McDonald. "The team's organization, professionalism and ability to work well with coaches have greatly reduced the logistical burden of finding multiple bus drivers and eliminated the need for students to be dropped off or picked up. This has resulted in a larger number of student-athletes being able to get their physicals done, which, in turn, provides a larger timing window for physical administration," shared McDonald. "We are so grateful for the benefits this event has brought to our students, parents and coaches."

First-time attendee and Springfield High School Football Coach Justin Owens commented, "I am incredibly grateful for the trainers and providers who care for our student-athletes on physical day. I was impressed by the well-organized check-in process and how smoothly everything ran. Each physical trainer was hands-on, guiding the children to where they needed to be and what they could expect. It was an excellent experience witnessing the great teamwork between the North Oaks staff and the children."

North Oaks staff that volunteered for the screening events included: Drs. Patrick Sheehan, Michelle Sliva, Lucas Ainsworth, Gary Mall and Brandon Cambre; and Nurse Practitioners Rae Hebert, Jade Pizzo, Christine Dominguez, Amber DeLaSalle, Jennifer Dubuc, Polly Burrall, Courtney Muller, Janet Morse, Lindsey Hollywood, Shawn Dearie, Leslie Wood, Sarah Rick, Michelle Civello, Leigh Pierre and Jacob Neal.

The free physical screenings offered annually in both Tangipahoa and Livingston parishes are just one benefit of enrollment in the North Oaks Sports Medicine Program.

The program provides injury prevention education, enhances athletic abilities for athletes and coaches, and offers on-site education, emergency acute care and rehabilitation for severely injured players.

For more information on North Oaks Sports Medicine and program enrollment criteria, call (985) 230-5248 or visit www.northoaks.org/sportsmedicine.