Thousands of middle and high school students in Flagler and Volusia counties will have the opportunity to receive free sports physicals and heart screenings this spring through a continuing partnership between AdventHealth, Volusia County Schools, and Flagler Schools.
What’s Being Offered
AdventHealth physicians and clinicians will conduct the physical exams required before students can participate in athletics, band, JROTC, and other extracurricular activities. In addition to the physical exam, participants can receive a free electrocardiogram — commonly called an ECG — a quick, painless test that measures the heart’s electrical activity and can detect potentially serious conditions.
Erik Nason, director of strategic partnership operations at AdventHealth, emphasized why the screenings matter. “These events are about giving families peace of mind,” Nason said. “A sports physical may seem routine, but it’s an important moment to check on a young person’s health and catch concerns that might otherwise go unnoticed.”
When and Where
For students in Volusia County public schools, AdventHealth will host the event at Daytona International Speedway on Wednesday, April 8, through Friday, April 10, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday, April 11, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Families can register for the Volusia County event here.
For students in Flagler County public schools, screenings will be held on Wednesday, May 20, and Thursday, May 21, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Flagler Palm Coast High School. Families can register for the Flagler County event here.
By hosting the exams in the spring, the program is designed to help families get ahead of the rush for appointments that typically builds up before the start of the school year in August.
Last Year’s Results — Including a Life-Changing Discovery
Last year, AdventHealth provided nearly 2,000 free sports physicals for students across both counties — more than 800 in Flagler County and over 1,100 in Volusia County. The program also delivered 1,800 free ECGs, with 840 conducted in Flagler County and 960 in Volusia County.
Of those screened, clinicians identified 17 teenagers who needed follow-up care, including several who required immediate medical attention.
One of those students was Matanzas High School basketball player Jamel Guerrero. The annual screening revealed a rare heart condition, allowing doctors to perform surgery before he returned to the court this winter. In his first game back, Guerrero scored 20 points.
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