Free child orthopedic assessment Nov. 5 at IVCH in Peru

The Mendota Elks 1212 and Oglesby Elks 2360 Lodges, in cooperation with the Illinois Elks Children’s Care Corporation, will sponsor a free children’s orthopedic assessment clinic from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, by appointment only at Illinois Valley Community Hospital, 925 West St., Peru. To make an appointment, call the Illinois Elks Children’s Care office at 1-800-272-0074 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The clinic will be set up on the hospital’s first floor, across from the x-ray department. Enter hospital from either lower level on the south side or main level on west side. Dr. Richard Erickson of Carol Stream will be the clinician in charge.

No medical referral is necessary for the clinic, but school nurses or physicians are welcome to refer patients to the clinic for a specific reason or second opinion.

There are no charges for any services at this clinic. The Elks will provide financial assistance to the best of their ability for children needing further treatment or specialty equipment when the family lacks sufficient resource. In the past, the Elks have purchased therapy services, corrective shoes, braces, wheelchairs and augmentative communication devices to help children overcome a variety of physical challenges.

The Elks Organization has been working with physically challenged children since 1928, and this is one of the 17 clinic locations throughout Illinois.