North Central Kansas Medical Center provides 397 free sports physicals

Published Sept. 30, 2026

(September 30, 2026) – North Central Kansas Medical Center provided 397 free school sports physicals at an estimated value of $13,895 to area students this summer.

The free sports physicals were offered through the Family Care Center at its clinics in Concordia, Clyde and Jamestown from June 22 through Aug. 21. The annual program helps ensure students have access to the physical examination required for participation in school sports while helping reduce the financial burden on families.

“Sports physicals are an important part of helping our students safely participate in the activities they enjoy,” said Curtis Hawkinson, North Central Kansas Medical Center administrator. “We’re proud to provide this service to families in our region and to help remove cost as a barrier to making sure children receive the care they need before the school year begins.”

North Central Kansas Medical Center encourages parents to schedule a sports physical for their child each summer before participating in school athletics. However, a sports physical should not take the place of a child’s annual wellness visit.

Annual wellness visits provide an opportunity for health care providers to monitor a child’s overall growth and development, discuss nutrition, physical activity and other health concerns, update vaccinations and identify potential health issues that may not be addressed during a sports physical.

“While sports physicals are important, they are focused specifically on a student’s ability to safely participate in physical activity,” Hawkinson said. “Annual wellness visits give our providers a much broader opportunity to monitor a child’s overall health and development.”

Parents can contact the Family Care Center to schedule their child’s annual wellness visit or other health care needs. Annual wellness visits are an important part of meeting a child’s preventive health needs. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact the Family Care Center at 785 243-4272.