JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas –
Brooke Army Medical Center is prepared to provide the annual school physicals required to prepare students for the new school year.
Special appointment times have been set up during the summer months to accommodate parents with children who need a school physical, sports physical or daycare/pre-school physical.
BAMC Pediatric/Adolescent Clinics, as well as all Patient Centered Medical Homes, including the Schertz, Taylor Burk and Westover clinics, have special appointment times set up during the summer months to accommodate parents with children who need a school physical, sports physical or daycare/pre-school physical.
“We encourage parents to plan early for their school physicals,” said Maj. (Dr.) Patricia Kapunan, BAMC Adolescent Medicine Clinic officer in charge. “Waiting until the last minute may make it difficult to address issues affecting school participation in a timely fashion, and it can be harder to obtain an appointment that is convenient for your schedule.”
Parents should bring required forms with them to their medical appointment. If the child has had a recent physical that meets school, camp or daycare requirements, the provider may be able to transcribe the prior physical onto the required forms.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, annual physical exams ensure children are up-to-date with the vaccinations that protect them against preventable diseases. These exams not only safeguard a child’s health, but also the health of their classmates and other family members.
Kapunan noted physicals are important for many reasons.
“Annual physicals are recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and required for participation in school sports and some camps,” Kapunan said. “Through annual physicals, your child's provider is better able to monitor your child's growth, health and development to safeguard against potential health problems that could arise. For sports participation, it is critical to identify pre-existing injuries or health conditions that may become a problem during play. ”
Call the Central Appointments Management Office at 210-916-9900 to schedule your child’s back to school physical.