Now one of those districts is offering added services that could become a blueprint for additional schools — and reach even more people in the school community.

Athletic trainer Mark Padfield has provided services in the Tonganoxie school district through LMH Health and OrthoKansas and been a teacher at Tonganoxie High School since 2005.

Brian Klamm is a physical therapist at LMH Health Tonganoxie. He’s been with LMH Health for 8.5 years, the last five at the Tonganoxie clinic.

Klamm recalled watching a Tonganoxie High basketball game last season when officials paused a game on multiple occasions due to injuries. It reminded him of conversations the two have had about ways to collaborate for the community that predate their time with LMH Health.

“The benefit is I am able to go cover practice for the emergent situation,” Padfield said. “I haven’t been able to do physical therapy exercises and home exercise regimens.

“Brian can come in and really expand that and it’s going to be awesome for our kids.”

What also makes the collaboration an added benefit is Klamm’s ability to offer screening assessments. As he explained, the screenings are required for students to “return to sport,” For example, a surgeon has clear benchmarks that need to be met after surgery or treatment.

Klamm can provide those screening assessments and ensure that the student-athletes do “all the right things to be back to the field,” he said.

The services, as mentioned before, aren’t just for students in sports. Any student can benefit from the services, as well as district faculty and staff.

And, Klamm can provide a clinical setting that satisfies school and surgeon requirements, which also is an important benefit that can reach more people. His certification can help people in the school district who might be uncertain whether they should seek more formal care, or perhaps a student-athlete is almost better, but not quite ready to play.

“I would be in here following kids though some sort of rehab or prehab,” Klamm explained. “And then document it.”

Jaye Cole, senior director of physical therapy and rehabilitation with LMH Health Therapy and Wellness, said she was excited to expand the scope of healthcare offered at THS with Klamm.

“Brian brings many years of experience and expertise in assessment and management of musculoskeletal conditions,” Cole said. “He is an outstanding complement to work of Mark Padfield, ATC as first line of medical attention during high school practices and game events. “This additional collaboration will enhance the care being provided currently.”

Klamm is available at the school for 1.5 hours after school twice each week.

In total, LMH Health provides athletic trainers to seven schools: Lawrence Free State, Lawrence High, Baldwin City, Basehor-Linwood, Eudora, Tonganoxie and Bishop Seabury Academy. In addition, trainers cover some events for McLouth and Perry-Lecompton.

“LMH Health and Orthokansas continuously look at new opportunities where we can impact the care of the student-athlete in our schools,” Cole said. “The relationship building supports the alignment with our vision as a partner for lifelong health in our communities.”

Klamm knows that schools are a big part of the community. And, LMH Health is focused on ways to give back to its communities. Tonganoxie has benefited in the past from LMH Health grants that helped establish a community exercise program. The past few years, LMH Health has offered Student Physical Night in which students can get their required physicals in advance of the high school and junior high athletics season at a discounted rate. A portion of that revenue goes back to the athletic training department.

“It’s connected through athletes,” Padfield said about the after-school partnership. “But it’s a resource for the entire school district.”

In addition, LMH Health offers physical therapy to folks of all ages at its Tonganoxie location, 410 Woodfield Drive. Residents can reach the clinic at 913-845-1553. The clinic is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Friday.

ATHLETIC TRAINERS AT LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLS

• LMH Health and OrthoKansas provide athletic trainers at local high schools to care for student-athletes – in the training room, at practices and during games.

• They provide athletic trainers to Lawrence Free State, Lawrence High, Baldwin City, Basehor-Linwood, Eudora, Tonganoxie and Bishop Seabury Academy

• The athletic trainers also cover some events for Perry-Lecompton and McLouth.

• LMH Health and OrthoKansas athletic trainers work with coaches to ensure a safe environment for student-athletes. They quickly and professionally triage injuries and communicate with the athletes’ families.

• Athletic trainers provide prevention, emergency care, diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation for medical conditions and injuries.

• If your school doesn’t have an athletic trainer, be sure to contact your school board and ask them to eliminate that gap in student safety.