Mahaska Health Partnership Donates Sports Physicals Proceeds to Area Schools
Mahaska Health Partnership CEO Jay Christensen presents a check for $1,780 to North Mahaska Athletic Director Steve Ehret, representing proceeds of sports physicals provided to student athletes, as New Sharon Medical Center Family Nurse Practitioner Lisa Smith and Registered Nurse Melissa Bandstra look on.
MAHASKA COUNTY – Mahaska Health Partnership has an annual tradition of donating proceeds from performing school sports physicals back to the athlete’s school.
“I’d estimate we’ve given more than $20,000 over the years to area schools,” MHP CEO Jay Christensen shared. “We are the local hospital and we feel it’s important to be a good community partner. Local patients choose MHP and in turn, we can give back. It’s a win-win.”
For the 2016 season, MHP completed 272 physicals on their campus in Oskaloosa and at their New Sharon Medical Center. This resulted in $5,440 to donate to area schools. “Our providers devote entire days to serving these kids,” Christensen explained. “We were able to donate $2,300 to Oskaloosa Community Schools, $1,780 to North Mahaska and the rest was spread among fourteen other schools in the region.”
Oskaloosa High School Activities Director Ryan Parker shared, “A donation like this helps us do a lot for our sports programs including buying new equipment. We appreciate the set up MHP provides, letting the kids walk-in during various days throughout the summer, it’s a good reminder for them to get their physical done.”
“Participating in extracurricular activities is such an important part of growing up and learning that MHP wants to do our part to help ensure every child has the opportunity,” Christensen said. “This is one small way MHP can give back to the communities we are so honored to care for.”
North Mahaska Athletic Director Steve Ehret said they use the money to partner with athletic trainers from William Penn University. “MHP makes it possible for us to have our athletes taken care of by highly skilled, collegiate level athletic trainers and we’re very grateful.”
Mahaska Health Partnership, located in Oskaloosa, is a non-profit health system accredited by the Joint Commission. It is guided by its mission to provide exceptional customer service and health improvement, linking the science of medicine with the humanity of compassionate care. For more information about how Mahaska Health Partnership is making healthcare personal, call 641.672.3240 or visit mahaskahealth.org.
