Mega Doctor News
Edinburg, Texas: The DHR Health Clinic announced today the completion of more than 2,500 physical examinations for Edinburg CISD middle and high school students involved in athletics, band, color guard, cheerleading, and dance. Additionally, DHR Health conducted another 2,500 physicals for students at PSJA ISD, bringing the total number of sports physicals to over 5,000 for the upcoming school year.
The examinations, also known as a “pre-participation physical” or “sports physical” are conducted by a medical professional to assess a child’s health to determine if he or she is eligible to participate in a sport or school-related activity. In the state of Texas, a sports physical is required by the University Interscholastic League (UIL) before allowing a student to participate in a school sport or school-related activity program.
Since its inception in 2015, the DHR Health Clinic has been leading the way in delivering these vital sports physicals to students.
“Offering these services directly to students makes it easier for families to manage their children’s health needs and ensures they’re physically prepared for sports and school activities,” said Marissa Castaneda, Senior Executive Vice President at DHR Health.
The physicals at Edinburg CISD were done under the guidance of DHR Health physicians Dr. Ivan Garcia from DHR Health Family Medicine Clinic, Dr. Sujan Gogu and Dr. Jimmy Gonzalez from DHR Health Sports Medicine Clinic, PA Michael Songyougan, along with medical residents from the DHR Health Family Medicine program, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Physician Assistant program, DHR Health staff members, and assistance from the DHR Health Equity Department, Business Development, and others. The examinations at the DHR Health Clinic were conducted by the UTRGV PA student program and DHR personnel.
The sports physicals conducted at PSJA ISD were performed by medical residents from the DHR Health Graduate Medical Education (GME) program under the supervision of Dr. Jimmy Gonzalez.
“This effort reinforces DHR Health’s continued commitment to expanding access to preventive care and ensuring student athletes throughout the Rio Grande Valley are ready for the upcoming school year,” added Castaneda.
DHR Health Clinical Liaison Melissa Salinas played a pivotal role in coordinating these sports physical events over the years, which included collaborating closely with school administrators, athletic trainers, UTRGV staff, faculty and PA students, and DHR Health personnel and volunteers to ensure that everything ran smoothly. Salinas had stations set up at each of the school’s gymnasiums where medical providers checked each student participant’s height and weight, vision, heart rate, lungs, stomach, ears, nose, throat, and reflexes.
Sports physicals play crucial roles in:
• Identifying underlying health issues that may impact a student’s sports performance or safety.
• Ensuring students possess the requisite physical fitness to meet the demands of their chosen sport or school-related program.
• Providing an opportunity for healthcare professionals to offer guidance on injury prevention and overall health maintenance.
For students still in need of a physical for the upcoming school year, please call the DHR Health Clinic, located at 1601 E Sprague Street in Edinburg, at (956) 362-8383 to set up an appointment.
