Compass Memorial donates $4,075 from physicals

(This article has been edited to correct the number of physicals conducted and who conducted them.)

Student athletes from six local schools participated in this year’s Compass Memorial Healthcare’s Sports Physical Program which donates the cost of sports physicals back to participating schools, the hospital said in a press release.

Physicals are required each year before students can participate in athletic activities. In addition to physicals, medical staff review student immunizations and discuss the importance of healthy lifestyle choices and mental health with students.

Compass Memorial Healthcare charges a nominal fee for these physicals and then donates the full portion back to the schools which the students attend. The athletic departments at each school can use those funds as needed to update equipment or uniforms, teh press release said.

This year, Dr. Brandon Phelps from the Williamsburg Family Medical Clinic and other CMH providers conducted 167 physicals at multiple schools.

During physicals, students have a chance to speak to athletic trainers, nurses and providers to review any past injuries or illness and help to decrease their risk of injury or performance in the coming school year, said Compass Memorial.

Participating in this year’s Sports Physical Program were BGM, Belle Plaine, English Valleys, HLV, Iowa Valley and Williamsburg Schools.

Compass Memorial Healthcare is a 25-bed Critical Access Hospital in Marengo.