Franciscan St. Anthony Health-Crown Point’s Sports Medicine Institute recently gave back to the community by donating to Crown Point High School the proceeds from an enhanced student physicals program.
Approximately 300 middle school and high school student-athletes received physicals at the high school from a volunteer Franciscan St. Anthony Health team of doctors, physical therapists and athletic development specialists. The students paid for the service and the proceeds, which totaled more than $7,000, were in turn donated to the high school’s Athletic Department. The program also was offered last year.
"We have a close relationship with Crown Point High School and wanted to provide this service, which offered a cut above a regular physical," said Dr. Timothy Mullally, SMI medical program director, who also is the high school’s team physician. "This year, we also offered screening electrocardiograms in conjunction with the St. Anthony Heart Institute. Students could purchase an EKG for $20 and again the money was donated back to the school."
Frank Eksten, SMI director of athletic development, said the program "further expanded our services to the high school in terms of sports medicine." He added the effort was well-received.
"We want to help keep the students healthy and expand our standard of care," Eksten said.
Susan Slivka, director of the Franciscan St. Anthony Health Heart Institute, said her department was honored to participate.
"We provided 12 lead EKGs. Dr. Sunthorn Muangmingsuk, one of Franciscan St. Anthony Health’s pediatric cardiologists, provided onsite interpretation of EKGs for athletes and parents. We wanted to help diagnose student-athletes, who, unknowingly, have heart conditions that can lead to sudden cardiac death."
