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Florida ranks 47th in the nation for the percentage of uninsured children, with an estimated 27,000 uninsured children living in Central Florida. For their families, back to school physicals are a luxury most simply cannot afford.
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Shepherd's Hope, the largest free and charitable clinic in Florida, is stepping up to meet this incredible need by partnering for the fifth consecutive year with Nemours Children's Health System to offer free back-to-school physicals and other medical services for local uninsured and underinsured families at three locations between July 24 and August 1. 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.
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The free back-to-school physicals will include general health assessments and sports physicals (minus immunizations) with a Nemours specialist, as well as vision and hearing screenings at select locations. In addition, mammogram screenings will be available for women accompanying their children at the Longwood Shepherd's Hope Health Center location on July 30 in conjunction with the Florida Hospital for Women Mobile Wellness Coach.
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To qualify, children must be under age 18 and uninsured. 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.
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Physicals will be conducted at the following Shepherd's Hope health clinic locations. Appointments must be scheduled in advance and can be made by calling (407) 876-6699, ext. 243:
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Dr. Diebel, Jr. Memorial Shepherd's Hope Health Center
Samaritan Resource Center, 9833 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32817
· Tuesday, July 24 | 6-9 PM
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Ocoee Shepherd's Hope Health Center
Located at Vista Clinical Diagnostics, 10101 West Colonial Drive, Ocoee, FL 34761
· Wednesday, July 25 | 1-4 PM
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Longwood Shepherd's Hope Health Center
The Sharing Center Plaza, 600 N. US Hwy 17-92, Suite #124, Longwood, FL 32750
· Thursday, July 26 | 9 AM - noon
· Monday, July 30 | 6-9 PM
· Wednesday, August 1 | 9 AM - noon
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Downtown Shepherd's Hope Health Center
Orange County Medical Clinic, 101 S. Westmoreland Drive, Orlando, FL 32805
· Tuesday, July 31 | 6-9 PM
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"It continues to be an undeniable fact that the failure of the State of Florida to expand Medicaid in 2015 has resulted in a healthcare crisis for the most vulnerable among us - our children," said Marni Stahlman, president and CEO of Shepherd's Hope. "Now in our fifth year, we once again step in to fill an incredible coverage gap. Our continued partnership with Nemours Children's Hospital and new this year, funding from the Harper Family Charitable Foundation to help offset medical equipment and supply needs, will unquestionably make a difference in the lives of thousands of children simply trying to enroll in school."
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"This is our fifth year working side-by-side with Shepherd's Hope on their free back-to-school physicals. We believe it's important for children to be prepared as they start the school year so they can be successful the rest of the year," said Al Torres, MD, chief of critical care and transport at Nemours Children's Hospital. "Everyone from Nemours who volunteers at Shepherd's Hope wants to return, including me."
