Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center's "$$$ for Physicals" Program Lends a Helping Hand to Underfunded Athletic Programs

In 2016, physicians, physical therapists and Associates from the Sports Medicine Center (SMC) at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center (PVHMC) performed more than 460 sports physicals, raising a combined total of $11,765 for the five local high schools participating in its “$$$ for Physicals” program, which acts as a fundraising outlet for the underfunded athletic budgets of the schools.

Each year, physicians from the SMC donate their time by providing student-athletes from Bonita, Claremont, Damien, San Dimas and Charter Oak high schools with comprehensive, pre-participation examinations (PPE) required by the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF).

During the event, athletes make their way through height, weight, blood pressure, vision, ear-nose-throat, cardio and orthopedic check stations. Those who pass the exams receive a clearance from their SMC team doctor for immediate participation in summer practices, training camps and high school sports for the upcoming school year.

Before each PPE event occurs, athletic trainers and coaches establish a set fee for the exams. After the physicals are performed, 100 percent of the fees are donated back to the school’s athletic training departments.

In 2016, 86 athletes were screened from Bonita High School, raising $2,580, and 117 athletes from Damien High School, raising $2,900. Since the program’s inception, the SMC has screened 2,173 athletes and raised a grand total of $50,800 to benefit the schools’ athletic training rooms and sports programs.

“Generous giving from donors like PVHMC provide the support needed to maintain Damien’s high quality athletic program,” says Lisa Welch, Damien High School’s Director of Advancement.

PVHMC has been providing PPE physicals to local high schools since 1983, when it’s Sports Medicine Center first opened. Over the years, the athletic budgets of the schools have diminished and critically impacted funding for their athletic training programs. Members of the SMC recognized the need for additional funding and developed the “$$$ for Physicals” program to raise money for athletic supplies and equipment.

Over the past decade, the SMC physicians also work closely with the schools’ coaching staff and athletic trainers to provide complimentary home game coverage and support, including traveling with the teams to away games, playoff games and CIF events.

“We are thankful to have programs in the community like this that have contributed to our training program in so many ways,” says Michelle Okayama, ATC, Bonita High School’s Head Athletic Trainer.

The SMC also offers free sports injury screenings at its SMC Physician Clinic held each Monday and Thursday at 5 p.m. in PVHMC’s Rehabilitation Services Clinic. For more information, or to book an appointment, visit www.pvhmc.org/sportsmedicine.

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About Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center

Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center is a 437-bed, acute care, nationally accredited not-for-profit medical center serving eastern Los Angeles and western San Bernardino counties. PVHMC is one of only four hospitals in California to be named a recipient of the Healthgrades Outstanding Patient Experience Award for five consecutive years. This year PVHMC was recognized by Healthgrades as one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Coronary Interventions and Cardiac Care and was announced as the only hospital in Southern California to achieve Excellence Awards in Cardiac Surgery, Coronary Intervention and Overall Heart Care. PVHMC also recently received the prestigious Baby-Friendly designation. In 2013, the Hospital was named one of the nation’s Top Performers on Key Quality Measures for excellence in heart attack, heart failure and pneumonia care by The Joint Commission. The Hospital was also recognized by Thomson Reuters in 2011 as a 50 Top Cardio Vascular Hospital and a four-time recipient of the 100 Top Hospitals in the nation in the past 16 years. For more information, visit pvhmc.org.