Orlando, Fla. (July 29, 2022) – Shepherd’s Hope and Nemours Children’s Health are providing free back-to-school physicals for uninsured and under-insured children at four Shepherd’s Hope Health Centers through August 9.
This is the 10th year this community service has been provided by the partnership, giving thousands of children vital healthcare. Annual physicals provide checks on overall health as well as the early detection of many conditions which require follow-up care.
The free back-to-school physicals include general health assessments and sports physicals with a Nemours specialist, as well as vision, hearing and ECG screenings at select locations. Dental screenings are available at the West Orange Health Center, upon availability.
“We provide these free physicals to help families facing financial challenges stay healthy,” said Al Torres, MD, medical director of the Pediatric Programs at the Partnerships for Nemours, and board member of Shepherd’s Hope. “Providing medical services to children at the Shepherd’s Hope Health Centers in Orange and Seminole counties gives our Nemours team the opportunity to serve the community where people live, extending our services beyond Nemours Children’s Hospital,” he said.
To qualify, children up to age 18 must be uninsured or under-insured. Appointments are necessary. To schedule, parents/guardians may call the health center they would like to visit.
Following the completion of their physical exam, they will receive the required Florida Department of Health form (DOH 3040) which meets the state requirement for enrollment in public or private school.
“Shepherd’s Hope works to ensure that uninsured and underinsured families do not have to choose between putting food on the table and healthcare services,” said Pam Gould, Shepherd’s Hope president and CEO. “Nemours Children’s Health has partnered with us to provide critical healthcare for our community’s children since they opened Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida 10 years ago. This is a milestone year for this back-to-school program, Nemours and Shepherd’s Hope, as we celebrate 25 years of providing free medical treatment for the uninsured and underinsured families in our community.” she said.
Nemours Children’s Health is a Founding Partner of the Shepherd’s Hope Free School & Sports Physicals program.
Funding to support this initiative is being provided by a grant from the Harper Family Charitable Foundation which provides for the health, education, maintenance and well-being of disabled children and adults of all ages in the Central Florida area.
Physicals are available at these Shepherd's Hope Health Centers:
WEST ORANGE HEALTH CENTER
455 9th St | Winter Garden, FL 34787
407.876.6699 Ext. 250
Aug 4, Thursday, 4-7 pm
Dental screenings (upon availability)
LONGWOOD HEALTH CENTER
The Sharing Center Plaza | 600 North US 17-92
Ste 124 | Longwood, FL 32750
407.876.6699 Ext. 239
Aug 1, Monday, 4-7 pm
Aug 8, Monday, 9 am-12 pm
DR. DIEBEL, JR. MEMORIAL HEALTH CENTER
Samaritan Resource Center
9833 E Colonial Dr | Orlando, FL 32817
407.876.6699 Ext. 247
Aug 2, Tuesday, 4-7 pm
Aug 9, Tuesday, 4-7 pm
DOWNTOWN HEALTH CENTER
Orange County Medical Clinic
101 S Westmoreland Dr | Orlando, FL 32805
407.876.6699 Ext. 248
Aug 3, Wednesday, 5-8 pm
Press Contacts
Margot Winick | Nemours Children’s Health System | 407.785.5766 | margot.winick@nemours.org
Sheila Morris | Shepherd’s Hope | 321.217.1749 | sheila.morris@shepherdshope.org
About Nemours Children’s Health
Nemours Children’s Health is one of the nation’s largest multistate pediatric health systems, which includes two free-standing children's hospitals and a network of more than 70 primary and specialty care practices. Nemours Children's seeks to transform the health of children by adopting a holistic health model that utilizes innovative, safe, and high-quality care, while also caring for the health of the whole child beyond medicine. Nemours Children's also powers the world’s most-visited website for information on the health of children and teens, Nemours KidsHealth.org.
The Nemours Foundation, established through the legacy and philanthropy of Alfred I. duPont, provides pediatric clinical care, research, education, advocacy, and prevention programs to the children, families and communities it serves. For more information, visit Nemours.org.
Shepherd’s Hope provides free urgent and specialty medical care as well as interventive health education programs to uninsured and underinsured men, women and children in Central Florida. It has provided 310,000+ free patient visits and services since 1997. www.ShepherdsHope.org
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