The Lathrop High School Athletic Department sent 35 of its athletes and cheerleaders for their preseason physicals to Doctors Hospital of Manteca prior to the beginning of the fall sports season. 

The students paid $20 for the medical screening and the school was given back the money Thursday in support of its sports programs amounting to $760.

Other Manteca Unified School District high schools that participated included Sierra and Manteca High having fewer sports physicals done at the hospital receiving a lesser amount to their athletic departments.   

It was the third year the sports-centered physical exams were offered by the Manteca hospital to football players, volleyball, wrestling, baseball, and track students along with cheerleaders.

Lathrop’s Athletic Director Bill Slikker accepted the larger-than-life check from hospital CEO Mark Lisa saying it would be used appropriately in his school’s sports programs.  Lathrop High had the largest number of students getting their exams from the hospital at a special one-night clinic.

Dr. Eugene Nguyen, M.D., and Dr. David Cox, D.C., both of whom offered their services at no cost for the physicals, were on hand for the presentation of the monetary award to the Lathrop High athletic director.

Five doctors provided their services pro bono including sports doctor Artemio Perez, D.O, Dr. Avon Manney, MD, and Dr. Tonja Harris-Stansil, M.D.

The hospital is planning to offer the low-priced exams for area students again next summer that most every student’s family can afford with the money going back to the schools.