At 6 feet 5 inches tall and wearing size 15 shoes, Crookston’s Nolan Johnson, 15, doesn’t exactly fit the image of a “child”. Yet no matter how tall they stand or how big their feet get, every child and teenager still needs an annual well-child visit.
Johnson, whose shoe size matches his age, recently visited RiverView Family Medicine provider Dr. Ian Glidden for his annual exam.
Now is the perfect time to schedule your child’s annual well-child visit at RiverView Health. If your child also needs a sports physical, save time by scheduling both during the same appointment.
“Preventive care is one of the most important investments parents can make in their child’s health,’’ stated Dr. Glidden. “Annual well-child visits allow us to track growth, discuss nutrition, mental health, and development, and catch potential concerns early. Scheduling these visits during the summer helps families avoid the back-to-school rush and ensures children are healthy and ready for the year ahead.”
With measles cases increasing in parts of the country, well-child visits are an important opportunity to ensure children are up to date on recommended immunizations, including the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Measles was officially eliminated from the United States in 2000, but declining vaccination rates have contributed to a recent increase in cases, leaving more people vulnerable to infection. Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease that can cause serious complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis (brain swelling), and, in rare cases, death. The MMR vaccine is safe, highly effective, and the best way to prevent measles.
Well-child visits also provide an opportunity to:
Monitor growth and development
Screen for illnesses and identify concerns early
Discuss nutrition, sleep, safety, and healthy habits
Support emotional and mental health
Answer questions from parents and teens
Ensure immunizations are up to date
More than Just a Checkup
A well-child visit is an excellent opportunity to discuss any concerns you have about your child with their provider. If your child is struggling academically, socially, emotionally, or at home, a well-child visit is a good time to discuss those concerns. Your provider can connect families with additional medical, behavioral health, counseling, and community resources when needed.
To get the most out of your child’s visit
Prepare a list of topics to discuss with the provider and bring it to the visit.
Do not be afraid to discuss a subject that concerns you.
Talk to others who spend time with your child, such as teachers, grandparents, and peers’ parents. They can help you identify any issues you might not have noticed.
Most insurance policies cover the cost of well-child exams.
Sports Physicals Offered at Same Appointment
If your child is entering seventh grade or above and plans to participate in sports, they can get a well-child exam and sports physical at the same appointment. If this is your intention, let the patient access representative know when you call to schedule the appointment.
The Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) requires students to have a physical exam every three years, typically before entering seventh and tenth grades. The sports physical is an opportunity to address exercise-specific issues, including injuries, nutrition, training and exercise programs, and attitudes toward sports participation.
While a RiverView sports physical meets all the requirements for participation in sports as set by the MSHSL, it is not intended to replace a well-child exam. A well-child exam is a more comprehensive examination that includes reviewing immunization records, medical history, and family history.
To speed up your child’s in-person appointment, fill out the MSHSL’s sports physical form and bring it to the appointment. The form is available at https://www.mshsl.org/sites/default/files/2026-04/2026-2027-sports-qualifying-physical-examination-english.pdf.
Don’t wait until the back-to-school rush. Schedule your child’s annual well-child visit and sports physical today.
To schedule an appointment, call your preferred RiverView Clinic location:
Crookston: 218.281.9595
Fertile: 218.945.6695
Red Lake Falls: 218.253.4606
