By Chenni Hammon
As summer winds down and families prepare for the upcoming school year, Archuleta County Public Health is making it easier for parents to check off important health requirements with two special back-to-school clinics this August.
These clinics will offer everything from routine childhood vaccines to affordable sports physicals and free heart screenings for young athletes.
The clinics will be held this Thursday, August 7, from 1 to 5pm, and again on Saturday, August 16, from 9am to 1pm, at the Archuleta County Public Health office, 502 S. 8th St. Appointments are highly encouraged and can be made by calling (970) 264-2409, though walk-ins will be accepted as space allows.
Dr. Julie Buchner will be providing sports physicals for just $40, offered on a self-pay basis. Insurance will not be accepted for these visits, but the low cost aims to make them accessible to as many families as possible.
In addition, Archuleta County Public Health is partnering with Who We Play For, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing sudden cardiac arrest in youth athletes.
As part of the sports physical, every child aged 10 and older will receive a free heart screening — a service that could potentially detect hidden heart conditions before they become life-threatening. The cost of these screenings is being fully covered by Archuleta County Public Health.
Routine childhood vaccinations will also be available at the clinics, as well as during regular hours every Wednesday and Thursday throughout the year. These vaccines are free for children who are uninsured or enrolled in Medicaid. Families with private insurance are encouraged to visit their regular medical providers for routine immunizations. However, public health staff are happy to help families check their child’s vaccine records and answer any questions.
To support continued access to lifesaving heart screenings, donations will be accepted at the clinic events to help fund additional screenings for youth in the community.
Archuleta County Public Health encourages all families to take advantage of this opportunity to ensure their children are ready — physically and safely — for the school year ahead.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact Archuleta County Public Health at (970) 264-2409.
Chenni Hammon writes on behalf of Archuleta County.