The doctors at the Mid-Maryland Musculoskeletal Institute (MMI) feel strongly about giving back to the community where they practice. As team physicians for Thomas Johnson, Linganore, Tuscarora and Urbana High Schools, MMI’s physicians provide sideline coverage during home football games. In addition, they perform sports physicals for athletes participating in fall sports at these four area high schools at no charge to the student or the school. MMI’s sports medicine physicians work in conjuction with each high school’s team athletic trainer to ensure the timely evaluation and treatment for injuries sustained during practice or in a game.

Dr. Mark Chilton expressed the group’s community service orientation well by saying, “Patrolling the sidelines during football games gives us an opportunity to help keep the student athletes safe and healthy. Being close to the action allows us to make prompt medical decisions which are sometimes critical in giving the athlete and the coach the best medical advice.”

For many years the physicians at MMI performed free sports physicals for those athletes who could not afford to pay for the examination, required by FCPS, if a student wanted to play high school sports. In a break from tradition, this year, instead of going to each high school to perform these physicals, MMI will be holding one large clinic for all the fall athletes from Thomas Johnson, Linganore, Tuscarora and Urbana High Schools at their main Frederick facility.

On Saturday morning, August 4th from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon, free sports physicals will be given to the athletes from these four area high schools as well as free injury prevention screenings provided by MMI’s physical therapists. Maryland SportsCare and Rehabilitation, the school’s athletic trainers, will provide athletes and their parents with valuable information on the State of Maryland mandates for concussion screening and the latest law passed on heat acclimatization for athletes training in summer heat. Training drills will be run by the fitness experts from 368 Athletics and Keyote, the Frederick Keys mascot, will put in an appearance. Key 103 will be broadcasting remotely from the event as well.

Several of the activities will occur outside under tents. Refreshments will be provided. “We are very excited about this great opportunity to work with these student athletes and give back to the Frederick Community” commented Dr. James Steinberg, sports medicine specialist and team physician for Tuscarora High School. “Community support is critical to the rearing of healthy well rounded youth. Whether in athletics or academics, through our work with these schools we want to stress the importance of family and community support toward excellence.”