Mercy Health offers free sports physicals for middle and high schoolers

I remember having to schedule a physical with my doctor every year in order to be allowed on my middle and high school football, basketball and track teams, and I was fortunate enough that my family could afford the low-impact medical assessment. But not every kid is, and if I had grown up in the current economy, maybe I wouldn’t have been either.

Mercy Health System is offering free physicals for Cumberland and York county student athletes between the sixth and twelfth grades on June 23. Appointments are necessary, and the work will be done at the Fore River Family Practice in Portland (553-6700 to schedule a physical) and George E. Jack Elementary School in Standish (642-4434 for scheduling).

The first 50 student athletes to sign up will each get a pair of tickets to see the professional basketball team the Maine Red Claws play during the upcoming season.

Here’s a statement on the free physicals by Mercy Hospital CEO Eileen Skinner:

It is our goal to help youth athletes be game-ready when their sports seasons begin. Last year we provided over 125 free sports physicals and we hope to exceed that this year. We are proud to provide this important benefit to the youth of our communities.

Seth Koenig

About Seth Koenig

Seth has nearly a decade of professional journalism experience and writes about the greater Portland region.