Marian Regional Medical Center residents volunteer to provide free sports physicals to local high school athletes
Student-athletes from Nipomo and Arroyo Grande high schools are heading into the new school year with a significant advantage: comprehensive sports physicals, provided free of charge by the dedicated residents of Dignity Health’s Marian Regional Medical Center Family Medicine Residency Program.
On June 12th, resident physicians were joined by Dignity Health community physicians who volunteered their time and expertise at Nipomo High School, ensuring young athletes have the medical clearance needed to participate safely in the sports they love.
The initiative, which saw an estimated 700 physicals completed in a single evening, removes a significant barrier to participation for many families. The thorough evaluations covered essential health screenings and assessments, contributing to the overall well-being of the students and potentially identifying underlying health concerns before they become serious.
Dr. Thomas Rehder, a faculty member with the residency program and a driving force behind free sports screenings across the Central Coast, finds deep meaning in witnessing the residents' commitment to the community. His passion stems from his own experience as a local athlete at St. Joseph High School.
“One of the things that drove me to organize these sports physicals for the high schools is that I was a local athlete myself, at St. Joe’s, and I remember getting my physicals done by local physicians,” he explains.
Rehder says these health screenings can help “identify athletes with potential concerns to get them plugged into care before something happens – not after.”
“I completed my residency at Marian and then pursued a sports medicine fellowship specifically so I could return to my community," Rehder adds. "I wanted to use that specialized knowledge to address health disparities and improve the quality of care our local athletes receive.”
The impact of the program is felt directly by the schools. Matt Quijano, certified athletic trainer at Arroyo Grande High School, emphasizes the importance of the partnership. "Having so much support from such a large variety of doctors has been super helpful for us," Quijano said. "It gives all our kids the opportunity to get a physical if they can’t get into their doctor or there’s some other extenuating circumstance. It also helps build trust and familiarity with doctors and Dignity Health."
Andrew Boortz, the certified athletic trainer at Nipomo High School, echoed Quijano's sentiments, highlighting the long-term benefits for students. "A lot of these doctors are on the sidelines for games, and they become familiar with the students. They recognize them, maybe they’ll see them in town," Boortz said. "It’s extremely helpful, especially with the residency program helping out."
The Marian Family Medicine Residency Program, a three-year post-graduate program training 18 physicians, plays a vital role in addressing the critical need for family physicians on the Central Coast and beyond. The program emphasizes hands-on experience and community involvement, shaping well-rounded physicians who are dedicated to providing exceptional care.
Dr. Rehder organizes several of these free clinics throughout the year, with the next one expected this summer. The free sports physicals underscore Marian Regional Medical Center's commitment to community health and its dedication to training the next generation of compassionate and skilled family physicians, ensuring a healthier future for the Central Coast.
To learn more about Marian’s Family Medicine Residency Program, click here.
