WEST PLAINS, MO – Ozarks Healthcare is proud to announce that it provided more than 1,000 free student athletic physicals across multiple school districts this year, helping local students stay healthy and prepared for school activities. In partnership with area schools, Ozarks Healthcare providers conducted a total of 1,022 physicals, offering convenient access to preventative care and helping families ensure students are cleared for sports.
Physicals were conducted for students in the following districts and communities: West Plains, Fairview, Junction Hill, Glenwood, Howell Valley, Koshkonong, Richards, Mountain View-Birch Tree, Dora, Winona, Thayer, Willow Springs, Gainesville, Bakersfield, Mountain Grove, Alton, and Couch.
“Providing these physicals is one of the many ways Ozarks Healthcare continues to invest in the wellbeing of our region,” Meagan Jones, family nurse practitioner (FNP) at the Ozarks Healthcare Zizzer Clinic, said. “By partnering with schools, we’re able to remove barriers for families and make sure students are healthy and ready to succeed both on and off the field.”
These efforts not only make preventative care more accessible but also highlight Ozarks Healthcare’s commitment to building healthier communities. By working alongside educators and school staff, Ozarks Healthcare helps ensure more students receive preventative care early, which research shows can reduce future health risks and improve long-term outcomes.
One example of these collaborations is the Ozarks Healthcare Zizzer Clinic, a partnership with the West Plains School District that provides students, staff, and faculty with convenient access to healthcare right on campus. This model ensures care is available where it’s needed most – close to students’ daily lives.
Providing free athletic physicals to student athletes helps remove barriers to participation in sports, encouraging more adolescents to engage in regular physical activity. Increased activity supports overall wellness and directly addresses health priorities identified in Ozarks Healthcare’s Community Health Needs Assessment, including obesity and diabetes prevention. By ensuring access to these physicals, Ozarks Healthcare promotes healthier lifestyles for local youth and fosters lifelong habits of wellness.
For more information about Ozarks Healthcare’s school partnerships and community health services, visit www.ozarkshealthcare.com.
