Over the course of two weeks, the UAB Sports and Exercise Medicine team, along with UAB Medicine providers and volunteers, performed pre-participation physicals for 1,300+ student-athletes, from 19 schools within the Birmingham metro area.

UAB Sports & Exercise Medicine is the official medical provider for Birmingham City Schools, providing athletic healthcare for all sports and student-athletes participating in middle school and high school athletics. With this partnership, UAB Sports and Exercise provides athletic training resources, performs annual physicals and assists beyond the field of play in diagnosing and monitoring some health issues.

This year pre-participation physicals took place during the school day, making it easier for student-athletes to attend. Physicals were offered at seven high schools, including Bessemer City High School, Carver High School, Huffman High School, Minor High School, Ramsay High School, Woodlawn High School and Wenonah High School, as well as 12 middle schools.

UAB providers, assisted by staff volunteers, performed various exams for the student-athletes, including an eye exam (offered by UAB Optometry), musculoskeletal exam, evaluation of cardiac and pulmonary function, and reading of standard vitals.

These exams help student-athletes identify any health concerns that might need to be addressed and clear the way for participating in school sports. In the State of Alabama, per the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA), any student participating in interscholastic athletics must have a current physician’s statement certifying that the student has passed a physical exam, and that in the opinion of the examining physician (M.D. or D.O.) the student is fully able to participate.

"Being able to provide physicals for the children who attend our prestigious city schools in the Birmingham community this year was truly an honor,” says Calvin Spellmon, M.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine and medical director for Birmingham City Schools.

“It was a pleasure getting to know the coaches, the students, as well as the faculty. It was a joy to see everyone coming together to provide this service, and just to be able to serve in different ways. I look forward to being able to do more and serve the students, and their families, more in the future. As it was ingrained in me from my prestigious alma mater Dillard University, To Whom Much is Given, Much is Required."