Cedars Sinai, LA Rams Provide Free Medical Exams to High School Athletes
Los Angeles, CA (May 13, 2023) - In an effort to support underserved student athletes, Cedars-Sinai and the Los Angeles Rams teamed up to provide free medical exams to 150 teenage boys and girls who play tackle and flag football at schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). The physicals, which are an annual requirement for LAUSD athletes to participate in school sports, were conducted by nine volunteer physicians from Cedars-Sinai. In addition to the physical exams, on-the-spot electrocardiograms (EKGs) were provided when necessary.
The need for these free physicals was highlighted in a survey conducted by the L.A. Rams with LAUSD last year. Many students, particularly those in underserved areas, lack access to primary care physicians, making it difficult for them to participate in school sports. To ensure that the students can easily access the physicals, LAUSD covered the cost of transportation for each school. In addition, each participant received a Rams Super Bowl LVI hat and snacks provided by Albertsons/Vons/Pavilions.
The physical exams took place at the Challengers Boys & Girls Club, which recently underwent a field refurbishment by Andrew Whitworth, Super Bowl LVI Champion and the 2021 Walter Payton NFL Man Of The Year. The effort, along with the L.A. Rams, Cedars-Sinai, and other partners, kicked off the support of year-round programming at Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles. Thirty students from five schools, including Mervyn M. Dymally High School, Manual Arts Senior High School, Augustus Hawkins High School, Santee Education Complex, and John C. Fremont High School, were given pre-participation physical exams.
This initiative is a great example of how collaboration between different organizations can help address the needs of underserved communities. By providing free medical exams to student athletes, Cedars-Sinai and the Los Angeles Rams are making it possible for these students to participate in school sports and pursue their athletic dreams.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles (BGCMLA):
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles (BGCMLA) was formed in 2015 with a deep history of impact across the metro Los Angeles area. In 2023, two of the county’s most enduring clubs— BGCMLA and Boys & Girls Clubs of Venice – joined together to deepen our collective impact. As community staples since the sixties, BGCMLA now consists of seven locations, uplifting and servicing communities such as Challengers in South Los Angeles, Bell Gardens, Watts-Willowbrook, and Venice, as well as school sites. Staffed by caring and committed professional adult mentors, the clubs offer proven programs to bolster academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. For more information, please visit our website at www.bgcmla.org.
About Cedars-Sinai:
Cedars-Sinai is a global leader in providing high-quality, patient-centered healthcare encompassing primary care as well as specialized medicine and conducting research that leads to lifesaving discoveries and innovations. Since its beginning in 1902, Cedars-Sinai has evolved to meet the healthcare needs of one of the most diverse regions in the nation, continually setting new standards in quality and innovation in patient care, research, teaching and community service. Today, Cedars-Sinai is widely known for its international leadership in transforming healthcare for the benefit of patients. Cedars-Sinai impacts the future of healthcare globally by developing new approaches to treatment and educating tomorrow’s physicians and other health professionals. At the same time, Cedars-Sinai demonstrates a longstanding commitment to strengthening the Los Angeles community through wide-ranging programs that improve the health of its most vulnerable residents.
About Los Angeles Rams:
The Los Angeles Rams community impact department and Rams Foundation aim to inspire change with a focus on providing access and opportunity, driving equity and fighting for equality for all Angelenos. Through a variety of charitable partnerships and initiatives, the Rams work to address issues of poverty including education inequities, food and housing insecurities, community-police relations and youth mentorship. The Rams also support youth health and wellness, military and veterans.
