AUGUST 11

Loudoun’s Health Care Community Comes Together to Provide Free School Physicals for Low-Income Kids: Kindergartners from low-income families will have an opportunity to receive their school physical exams free this summer, a requirement for school enrollment.

On August 22, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., physicals will be performed by doctors at the Loudoun Community Health Center. Vaccines and TB testing will be performed at the Loudoun County Health Department. Both aspects are needed for school physical forms to be completed so that children can be registered for school. Families should be prepared to visit the two locations.

The event is intended only for children from low-income families that would not otherwise be able to afford school physicals. Physicals will be provided on a first come, first served basis. Appointments are not necessary. Doors will open at 9 a.m. Parents MUST bring the child’s vaccine records with them. Sports physicals will not be performed as the event is only for kindergartners.

“Last year, we performed physicals on more than 160 children,” said Dr. Lauren Cianciaruso, Chief Medical Officer at the Loudoun Community Health Center. “This year we expect nearly double that amount. We’re proud to be providing such a great service for needy families in Loudoun.

All children must begin the process at the Loudoun Community Health Center, located at 224-A Cornwall St, NW, in Leesburg, where they will have their hearing and vision tested, height and weight measured and physical exams performed.

From there, children will be required to visit the Loudoun County Department of Health, located in the Shenandoah Building, 102 Heritage Way, N.E., 1st floor, in Leesburg for vaccines and TB testing.

The Junior League of Northern Virginia will provide free backpacks filled with new school supplies for each child. Spanish-speaking volunteers will be on site to assist families as will a Medicaid eligibility worker for children not yet signed up for the Virginia FAMIS program.

For more information, contact the Loudoun Community Health Center at 703-443-2000.