Methodist Mansfield Medical Center Offers High School Athletes UIL Athletic Physicals and Free Heart Screenings
Mansfield Independent School District (MISD), Midlothian Independent School District, and Grand Prairie ISD Athletic Departments are partnering with Methodist Mansfield Medical Center to offer UIL sports physicals to middle and high school student-athletes. Physicals and echocardiograms will take place at the following locations.
- Mansfield ISD - Methodist Mansfield Medical Center - April 20, 2019 - 9 a.m. – Noon
- Midlothian ISD - Heritage High School, Midlothian - May 18, 2019 - 9 a.m. - Noon
- S. Grand Prairie HS – Methodist Convenient Care Clinic - June 1, 2019 - 9 a.m. - Noon
The hospital will also offer free, optional echocardiogram screenings at each location with an appointment. During an echocardiogram, an ultrasound is used to examine the heart, so physicians can detect potential abnormalities or other cardiovascular conditions that may affect student-athletes. This echocardiogram test has saved 13 lives in the ten years the hospital has offered them.
The sports physicals and echocardiogram screenings will be performed by volunteer nurses, allied health professionals, and independently practicing physicians from Methodist Mansfield. Sports echos will be led by Alan Taylor, MD, and Levi Rice, DO, cardiologists on the medical staff at Methodist Mansfield. Shaun Garff, DO sports medicine physician, Jeff McDaniel, MD, and Juan Gavalda, MD, will lead the team of physicians in performing the sports physicals.
To register for sports physical or echocardiograms go to https://www.methodisthealthsystem.org/sports-physicals-sign-up/. Appointments are on a first come/first serve basis.
“This is an incredible opportunity for our student-athletes to have a quality physical exam,” said Mansfield ISD Athletic Director Philip O’Neal. “The generous donations of time and equipment mean many of our students will have access to comprehensive tests.”
“Our goal is to provide a quality University Interscholastic League (UIL) physical exam to ensure all of our athletes can compete safely,” said MISD District Athletic Trainer Andy Starnes.
Parents of middle school and high school student-athletes who wish to participate in the echocardiogram screening must complete a medical history questionnaire and sign medical releases prior to the screening. The forms are available from the school’s athletic directors or on the website.
Echocardiogram screenings will be offered on a first come, first served basis and will be conducted by appointment only by https://www.methodisthealthsystem.org/sports-physicals-sign-up/
Parents must accompany their teens during this painless, non-invasive test.
The sports physical is not intended to replace a student’s regular physical exam with their primary care physician, but it will meet UIL requirements to medically clear students before they can participate in any organized sports activity. The echocardiogram procedure is a screening exam and does not rule out all heart-related causes of illness.
The Methodist Mansfield sports physicals and echocardiogram community outreach program was honored with both a 2018 Fort Worth Business Press Healthcare Hero Award and a 2017 D CEO Excellence in Healthcare Award.
About Methodist Health System
Guided by the founding principles of life, learning, and compassion, Dallas-based Methodist Health System (Methodist) provides quality, integrated health care to improve and save the lives of individuals and families throughout North Texas. Ten hospitals proudly carry the Methodist Health System brand, as owners or through affiliation. More than two dozen Methodist Family Health Centers and Medical Groups are among the facilities served by the nonprofit Methodist Health System, which is affiliated by covenant with the North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church. Recognized by Modern Healthcare as one of the fastest-growing health systems in America, Methodist continues to add facilities and services to enhance patient care along the entire continuum. Additional information is available at MethodistHealthSystem.org. Connect through Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter at MethodistHealthSystem.org/SocialMedia.