School physicals for youth ages four through 19 will be offered on Thursdays in August at the University of Rochester Medical Center, with no out-of-pocket cost for families.

Provided through a new collaboration between UR’s School of Medicine and Dentistry and the Department of Pediatrics, the program will be offered at the Golisano Children’s Hospital Pediatric Practice to support continuity of care for those in need of follow-up services.

The School, Sports, and Work Permit Physicals program will be open from 6 to 8 p.m. August 6, 13, 20, and 27, at the Golisano Children’s Hospital Pediatric Practice, located on the 6th floor of Strong Memorial Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Facility. Comprehensive physicals will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis by URMC medical students, residents, and physicians.

No appointments are needed, but only 125 patients can be accommodated at each session. Based on the popularity of the former medical student-run program, patients should arrive early. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m.

“While we encourage parents to schedule annual physicals throughout the year with their primary care provider to avoid the back-to-school rush, we are happy to work with our medical students to help provide the necessary physicals and paperwork that allows our local students to participate in the school and athletic activities that they desire,” said Neil Herendeen, M.D., Medical Director of Golisano Children’s Hospital Pediatric Practice.

The New York State Education Department requires annual physical exams for new students, those entering kindergarten and grades 1, 2, 4, 7 and 10, sports participation and work permits. They are also needed every three years for the Committee on Special Education.

The program relies on several hundred staff and students who volunteer time to offer physicals. In addition to medical students and Pediatrics, volunteers represent Adolescent Medicine, Cardiology, Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, the combined Medicine-Pediatrics program, Ophthalmology, Psychiatry, School of Nursing, Social Work and The Lions Club.

Here are guidelines for participation

Children ages four through 19 are eligible for this program.

Youth ages 17 or younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Seventeen-year-olds without a parent or guardian present must bring a signed parent consent form from their school district. The Rochester City School District parental consent form is available online at: http://www.rcsdk12.org/Page/840

Participants should bring the name, phone number, and address of their doctor, if they have one.

Those who have insurance coverage must bring their insurance ID card. While no one will pay anything out-of-pocket, insurance will be billed for participants with coverage.

Easiest access to the pediatric clinic is from the main entrance at Strong Memorial Hospital. Parking is available for $6 in the ramp garage and RTS bus service is available from downtown Rochester.

For more information, please call (585) 275-7203.