Shriners clinic set in W-B

Area children with spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, hip disorders or other bone and muscular problems can be evaluated by top-notch specialists Sunday in Wilkes-Barre.

The free clinic, conducted by a pair of orthopedic physicians from the Shriners Hospital for Children, Philadelphia, will be held between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, 575 N. River St.

Appointments are required. To schedule an appointment, for a child younger than 18, parents can call (800) 281-4050, ext. 4140.

“This clinic is for parents who think their child might need a service that Shriners Hospital offers, or maybe who just want a second opinion,” said Stephanie Spagnola, a spokeswoman for the pediatric hospital in Philadelphia.

Patients treated at any of the 22 Shriners Hospitals in North America do not pay for the services. Transportation also is provided to families for free.

The hospital network, begun in 1922 and supported by donors, spends $1.7 million a day to provide “world-class medical care,” according to its promotional materials. The network’s specialty areas include burn treatment, skeletal/muscular disorders and cleft lip and palate.

The Philadelphia hospital offers a range of orthopedic services: fittings for corrective devices such as braces and shoe inserts, physical and occupational therapy and, in some cases, surgery. Its physicians will return to the region for another free clinic on April 20.

For information, visit www.shrinershospitals.org. People familiar with a child who might benefit from Shriners Hospitals can call its patient referral line at (800) 237-5055.

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