Parkland helps parents get their athletes ready for school sports
Close to 3,000 student-athletes have received sports physicals
For the third consecutive year, staff from across Parkland Health came together to provide sports physicals for Dallas County student-athletes. Since the initiative began in 2023, nearly 3,000 students participating in football, basketball, soccer, baseball, softball, track—and even band—have received physicals through these events.
Held recently on two consecutive Saturdays, Parkland’s Sports Medicine department, in partnership with the External Affairs division, coordinated with Dallas County school districts to help families tackle their back-to-school to-do lists early.
Justin Taylor was one of many parents who signed up his 17-year-old son, Thomas, for a physical ahead of the school year. A student at David W. Carter High School, Thomas is the lead snare drummer in the school band.
“As a single parent with a busy son, events like this are a great opportunity to get things done before school starts—and it helps that it’s free,” said Taylor, a first-grade teacher in Dallas ISD. “Parkland doing this makes it affordable for all of us.”
Describing his son as his “best friend since he was an infant,” Taylor shared that Thomas hopes to attend Texas Southern University and study law.
“The law is something I wanted to pursue when I was younger, but then I became a teacher,” he said. “While that dream changed, I absolutely love what I do.”
Providing access to healthcare—including sports physicals—is an essential part of Parkland’s mission.
“Our goal is to remove barriers that may prevent families from accessing care,” said Kathy Doherty, MSN, RN, Parkland’s Vice President of Surgical Services. “Some students may not have a primary care provider who offers physicals, and for others, the cost may simply be out of reach. These events take the burden off parents and ensure students are ready for the upcoming season.”
In addition to meeting school requirements, the physicals offer valuable insights for athletic trainers, coaches, and parents, according to Ryan Peña, MS, LAT, ATC, Parkland’s Sports Medicine Program Manager.
“These screenings can identify conditions that should be monitored throughout the season. It’s important to know if a student-athlete suffers from allergies, asthma, or an underlying heart condition,” Peña said. “They’re not designed to prevent participation—they’re meant to keep students safe.”
Physicals include vision, height, and weight screenings; blood pressure and pulse checks; a review of medical history; and an exam of heart and lung sounds. Parents and athletic trainers receive a copy of the results to help ensure each student remains safe and healthy throughout the season.
Jasmyne Easter of DeSoto brought her 15-year-old daughter, Rylee Franklin, to ensure she was cleared to play soccer and continue participating in dance.
“This is a convenient way to make sure her physical was taken care of before school starts,” Easter said. “And with this event held on a Saturday, it makes it so easy for working parents. It’s one less thing we have to take off work to do.”
For more information about Parkland’s Sports Medicine services, please visit www.parklandhealth.org/sports-medicine.
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