Mercy donates to area schools

Mercy Physician Group recently donated $2,010 to USD 234 as part of a program in which proceeds from sports and activities physicals are donated to area schools and school districts. Pictured here presenting the check are (from left) P.K. Gugnani and Randy Nichols representing Mercy Physician Group, and USD 234 Superintendent Rick Werling and Fort Scott High School Athletic and Activities Director Larry Fink representing USD 234. (Submitted photo)

The Mercy Physician Group Family Medicine Specialists recently made donations to area school districts from proceeds generated by sports and activities physicals conducted in May and August 2009.

The annual community service included three clinics at which 306 students received physicals in a cooperative effort by the entire Mercy Physician Group staff. For the last three years, the clinic has offered special dates during the late spring and early fall when students between 10-18 years of age can obtain a physical for only $10 each. The MPG staff records the school that each student attends and the full $10 is then donated back to the student's school, a Mercy statement said.

This fall, USD 234 received a check for $2,010 from the Mercy Physician Group as part of this program.

"We appreciate Mercy Physician Group for providing this service," Fort Scott High School Athletic and Activities Director Larry Fink said. "Our students and athletes not only benefit from the quality and inexpensive physical, but also from the donation to the athletic department."

Other schools and districts that received donations from the fall 2009 sports and activities physicals program include Fort Scott Christian Heights, USD 235 in Uniontown, Girard Middle School, Northeast High School and the Bronaugh School District. The Fort Scott Little League organization also participated in the program.

"With seven providers and a handful of nursing staff we were able to maximize our efficiency and keep the students flowing through the clinics," Mercy Physician Group Director Annamarie Holmes said. "The students received a thorough physical exam to be sure there are no signs of heart disease or other health related issues that would cause problems playing sports and being active."

The seven providers who donated services for the program include P.K. Gugnani, Roxanna Jones, John Fox, Randy Nichols, David Parris, and Maxwell Self, all doctors, and Greg King, a nurse practitioner.

The Mercy Physician Group is located in Mercy Health Center at 403 Woodland Hills Blvd. For more information about the clinic, call (620) 223-8040, or (888) 637-2937.