KTNA Su-Valley Voice || August 2026
- Sunshine Staff
- 11 hours ago
- 2 min read
This week on KTNA Talkeetna Public Radio’s Su-Valley Voice, host Phillip Manning welcomed Polly Smith, Doctor of Nursing Practice and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with Sunshine Community Health Center, for our monthly community health conversation.
With a new school year beginning, the conversation focused on helping families make sure their kiddos are healthy, prepared, and ready for the year ahead.
Getting Kids Ready for the School Year
Polly discussed the importance of Well Child Visits and Sports Physicals and why these appointments are about much more than checking a box for school or athletics.
Routine preventive visits give healthcare providers an opportunity to check in on a child’s growth and development, physical health, mental and emotional well-being, immunizations, and any concerns a child or parent may have.
Sports physicals also help make sure young athletes can safely participate in the activities they love while giving families an opportunity to discuss injuries, health conditions, or other concerns before the season gets underway.
The conversation also touched on other back-to-school health considerations and the importance of making preventive care part of your family’s back-to-school routine.
A Little Help Checking That Appointment Off Your List
Throughout August, Sunshine Community Health Center is continuing our Back-to-School Monthly Health Incentive.
Schedule and complete a qualifying Well Child Visit and/or Sports Physical for your kiddo during the incentive period, and they can receive a Sunshine hat at checkout as our way of saying thank you for starting the school year proactively.
To schedule an appointment or learn more, contact Sunshine Community Health Center.
Thank You, KTNA!
A big thank you to Phillip Manning and the KTNA team for continuing to welcome Sunshine Community Health Center to Su-Valley Voice each month. These conversations give us an opportunity to share timely health information, introduce listeners to members of our healthcare team, and stay connected with the communities we serve.
And thank you to Polly Smith for taking the time to join the conversation and help our local families head into another school year informed and prepared.
Missed the live broadcast? Catch up on our KTNA Su-Valley Voice conversations and learn more. Here’s to a healthy, happy school year for our kiddos across the Northern Susitna Valley!
Sunshine Community Health Center
1-907-376-2273 (CARE)
*This article was written with the support of AI*
