Shriners host free scoliosis clinic

The Shriners will be in Carson City from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 17 to host a free clinic at Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center, 1600 Medical Parkway.

Hospital Screening Clinic Chairman Bob Pohlman of the Shriners said the clinic is for children who have been referred by school nurses for scoliosis or whose parents suspect a problem.

Pohlman said the Shriners would screen as many children as attend Saturday's event.

Children who attend the screening range from birth to 18 years old.

School and health nurses usually provide referrals to the clinic for children they think might be in need.

An orthopedic surgeon and three nurses, who will look for signs of orthopedic problems such as scoliosis, which refer to a curvature of the spine, will conduct the screening at Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center.

In addition to the clinic, the Carson Lodge is inviting parents to participate in a child identification program.

Children will be digitally fingerprinted and photographed for a child identification form, which is printed out and given to parents.

The identification scan provides information that can be used by law enforcement if a child is abducted or reported missing.

Shriners Hospitals have also treated children with burns for over 40 years.

Questions or for more information call Pohlman, Hospital Screening Clinic Chairman, 782-8982.