Saturday, August 6, was a busy day at Humboldt General Hospital's Walk-In Clinic.
    From 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, August 6, 99 youth athletes from throughout Humboldt County stopped by for a free sports physical.
    This is the second year that Humboldt General Hospital has offered the summer clinic to athletes who will play high school sports in the fall.
    This year, however, the hospital opened the playing field to junior high athletes as well as those who will play community sports.
    "Playing sports is fun, but it can also be expensive," said CEO/Administrator Jim Parrish of the decision to offer the sports physicals free of charge.
    "Humboldt General Hospital simply wants to offer what help it can to local youth, to help them have a successful sports season."
    Youth from Lowry High School, McDermitt High School, Winnemucca Junior High School and Humboldt County youth sports organizations, such as football and soccer, took advantage of the offering.
    Athletes represented a wide array of sports including football, boys and girls soccer, dance team, cheerleading, volleyball, girls golf, boys and girls cross country and others. 
    Two members of HGH's medical staff participated in the sports physical clinic, including Bill Celentano, D.O. and LaDonna Reyka, FNP-C, in addition to Walk-In staff members and Mark Reyka, LaDonna's husband and Humboldt General Hospital's new nurse anesthetist.
    "We understand that it's an expensive proposition for our youth to play a sport," said Parrish, "but sports also provide our youth with a healthy, active outlet."
    He continued, "So as this community's healthcare organization, we are happy to offer our services to ensure the good health of these young athletes, and hopefully help ease their parents' out-of-pocket expenses at the same time."