Dear Editor,

I would like to thank our local health care providers for their collaboration – and for the compassion and commitment they showed for the health of our community – on Saturday, May 22.

The residents of Wakulla County should know that 8 clinicians and dozens of EMTs, nurses, medical assistants, and other volunteers each donated 3-4 hours of their time on a Saturday to provide free sports physicals for 138 student athletes.  Their goal was to keep local students from being denied an opportunity to play sports because they lack a family doctor, health insurance, or the ability to pay.

Dr. Andrea Plagge, Dr. Farzhana Khan, Dr. Chitra Mony, Dr. Howard Kessler, Dr. Gene Charbonneau, Dr. David Keen, Cartier Lammert, ARNP, and Joyce Warwick, PA provided the medical examinations.  Assisting in the clinic were Lucinda Morgan, RN, Pat Bell, LPN, Vycki Boone, LPN, Christina Hatcher, MA, Christy Osteen, MA, Sue Morgan, and Cathy Price, LCSW.

Volunteers staffing the stations for height, weight, pulse, blood pressure, and vision included Karen Clevenger, Misty Hollington, Brandon Alyea, Don Burton, Jeff Cjbulski, Justin Duggan, Steve Jones, Gina Landrum, Justin Zeh, Angela Thavorn, MA, Mary Waller, MS, Samanatha Allen, Elizabeth Rosa, Jenny Villarraga, Amber Williams, and Gina McGehee, RN.

Volunteers helping with check-in and paperwork completion included Tanya English, Sally Watson, Brenda Posey, and Anne Van Meter.  Other volunteers included Brian English, Alan Brock, Kathy Asbell, and Lynn Artz.

Tanya English coordinated the event within the School District and worked with athletic directors and coaches to get the word out to local athletes.  Lori Lawhon and Cathy Price helped to set up the WHS Clinic in preparation.

The following local practices were represented on Saturday and also contributed equipment and supplies:  Tallahassee-Memorial Family Medicine, Wakulla Medical Center, Wakulla Urgent Care & Diagnostic Center, Tallahassee Orthopedic Medicine, Capital Regional Medical Center, Liberty Community Health Care, Wakulla County Fire & Rescue, and Wakulla County EMS.

The willingness of these hard-working professionals to help our youth in their spare time was inspiring.  I am deeply grateful to all involved.

Lynn Artz, Founder and Past-Chair
Wakulla Health Care Task Force

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