Olympia Orthopaedic Associates (Oly Ortho) announced good news for local high school and middle school students planning to participate in interscholastic sports during the 2025-2026 school year. OlyOrtho is partnering with Olympia School District, North Thurston Public Schools, and Shelton School District to provide free physical exams for student athletes so they can be cleared to play.
Students in grades 7-12 who plan to participate in the district’s athletic programs are required to have a current sports physical examination on file. Thanks to the collaboration, exams for the upcoming school year are available in the Capital High School gymnasium on Saturday, June 7, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at no cost to students or their families.
“We’ve partnered with local schools for many years,” says Dr. Dominic Femiano, sports medicine physician champion, when describing OlyOrtho’s participation. “It’s a longstanding tradition that reflects our commitment to the health of young athletes in the Olympia area.”
“Oly Ortho’s motto is ‘Your Life In Motion,’” adds Rachel Sherburne, assistant director of operations. “And we believe that starts early. We recognize that our primary care partners have limited resources to perform pre-participation sports physicals. We feel that the financial cost of a sports physical should not prohibit students from participating in school sports and our goal is to remove that barrier for families in the area.”
OlyOrtho Offers No-Cost Sports Physicals One-Day Clinic So District Students Are Medically Ready to Participate
A yearly physical examination is required for all middle school and high school student athletes in the district. The physicals clinic will be held in Capital High School’s gym at 2707 Conger Avenue NW in Olympia. Students should bring completed and signed copies of the Athletic Physical Examination and History Form available on the district’s website. Students can also pick up a printed form at the front or athletic offices of their school. Advance registration for the clinic is not required, and parents do not need to attend the event although they are welcome to wait in the lobby.
“Sports physicals help ensure students are medically ready to participate,” explains Femiano. “Beyond meeting district requirements, they offer an important opportunity to screen for potential issues that might otherwise go unnoticed. They’re a key part of keeping students safe and healthy as they begin their season.”
OlyOrtho has proudly provided sports physicals to local student-athletes for several years, completing over 450 exams in 2024 alone. This year, free sports physicals will be available only at this special event on June 7, 2025, and will not be offered at OlyOrtho clinics.
Please note that the ROC Ortho Urgent Care will also not be providing sports physicals this year. OlyOrtho encourages all parents to ensure their athletes attend the June 7 event to stay game-ready for the upcoming season.
Olympia School District Student Athletes Move Through Clinic’s Stations to Assess Physical Status
Students will move through stations set up in the gym. The stations will check students’ height/weight, vision, vitals, and a musculoskeletal screening. Students should wear their glasses and contact lenses.
Any abnormal findings will require the student athlete to follow up with their pediatrician for final clearance. “We occasionally identify conditions like heart murmurs, vision issues, or joint concerns that need follow-up before participation,” explains Femiano. “Catching these early helps ensure students can start the season safely.”
After the event, families will need to upload a photo or scanned copy of the completed physical examination form to their district’s “FinalForms” webpage used as part of the sports clearance process. More information about the physical and other sports forms is also on the district webpages.
OlyOrtho Supports Local Community With Sports Medicine and Full-Service Practice Serving Patients of All Ages
“We’re proud to support the health and development of student athletes in our community,” says Femiano. “Sports offer kids more than physical activity — they provide confidence, structure, and connection. Helping them start the season safely is something we value deeply.”
Olympia Orthopaedic Associates has been a part of Thurston County since 1972, providing support for local athletes with sports medicine as just one part of its full-service orthopedic practice serving South Puget Sound patients of all ages. Today, OlyOrtho has locations in West Olympia and East Olympia including a Rapid Orthopaedic Urgent Care Clinic, Surgery Center and Spine Center.
Olympia Orthopaedic Associates
Free Sports Physical Clinic
June 7, 2025, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Capital High School (Gym)
2707 Conger Avenue NW, Olympia
Read more OlyOrtho news here.
Sponsored
