Shepherd’s Hope Extends Dates for Free Back to School Physicals For Uninsured and Under‐Insured Children

Aug 09, 2021 at 11:00 am by pj


Shepherd’s Hope has added more dates for it FREE back‐to‐school and sports physicals for local uninsured and under‐insured children at four Shepherd’s Hope Health Centers, now through August 30.  The free back‐to‐school physicals include general health assessments and sports physicals with a specialist, as well as dental, vision, and hearing screenings at select locations. New for this year will be ECG screenings for student athletes, which is now required in Orange, Osceola, and Volusia counties. Funding to support this initiative is being provided by a grant from the Harper Family Charitable Foundation which provides for the health, education, maintenance and well‐being of disabled children and adults of all ages in the Central Florida area. For the ninth year, Nemours Children’s Health System clinician volunteers are helping provide these medical services.

“Before the pandemic, nearly 30,000 children were without health insurance in Central Florida. We know with over 300,000 people on unemployment in May that there is an escalated need for free back‐ to‐school physicals this year.”  said Pam Gould, Shepherd’s Hope President and CEO. “Families are struggling with being displaced from their jobs and their healthcare coverage.”

“With school districts requiring heart screenings for high school athletes starting this fall, Nemours Children’s Health System is glad to help provide these screenings as well as school physicals for our community’s neediest children, in partnership with Shepherd’s Hope,” said Dr. Gul Dadlani, Chief of Cardiology at Nemours Children’s Hospital.  “Our goal is to create the healthiest generations of children, and this is a step in that direction.”

To qualify, children up to age 18 must be uninsured or under‐insured. Appointments are necessary. Following the completion of their physical exam, they will receive the required Florida Department of Health form (DOH 3040) which meets the state requirement for enrollment in public or private school. For eligibility assessment and appointments, call 407‐876‐6699 ext. 246. Se Habla Español. For further information, visit www.ShepherdsHope.org.

Physicals will be conducted at these Shepherd's Hope Health Centers:

  • Winter Garden: 8/10 & 8/18, West Orange Health Center, 455 Ninth St., Winter Garden
  • Longwood Health Center:   Morning appointments available on 8/16, 8/23, and 8/30. Afternoon appointments available on 8/11 and 8/26, at 600 N. US Highway 17‐92
  • Diebel, Jr. Memorial Health Center:  8/17 at 9837 E. Colonial Drive

or more information, please visit: https://www.shepherdshope.org/schoolphysicals/

Sections: Grand Rounds