The Austin Medical Center will be offering physicals for area middle school students Sept. 4 from 4 to 6 p.m.

The AMC has been giving group physicals for student athletes for several years after they "decided to get into the habit of doing physicals as a benefit to Austin and the surrounding communities," says Mark Hecimovich, a certified athletic trainer and chiropractor with the AMC.

A similar physical session was held Aug. 1 for high school athletes and Riverland Community College athletes and Hecimovich estimates 100 students came. He expects the same number for the middle school athlete session.

"There are some great things that come out of this," he says. "There's a great working relationship between the AMC and the school system."

In addition, it serves as a reminder to parents and students to get physicals for the fall sports season. "If a student happens to miss a physical session it would be on their shoulders to get it done. It would be something they would have to work out with their normal physician," Hecimovich says.

At Wednesday's session, he explains, the physicals will be divided into two parts. During the first, physical therapists or athletic trainers will examine the muscles and the skeletal system for anything unusual which will be discussed with the patient and the physician before the second part, which involves a more traditional physical exam.

Feedback about the program, Hecimovich says, "has been nothing but positive."

He adds "it seems the flow is very smooth. There's not a whole lot of waiting time."

The exams will cost $5. For more information, contact the AMC at 433-7351.

Amanda L. Rohde can be reached at 434-2214 or by e-mail at :mailto:amanda.rohde@austindailyherald.com