It’s not your average sports physical—Jacksonville is stepping up its game when it comes to the health of its young athletes. Echoing the proactive approach, local schools, in partnership with the nonprofit Who We Play For, are conducting free EKG screenings to spot undiagnosed heart conditions that could lead to sudden cardiac arrest—the leading cause of death in high school athletes. The move is an aligned effort with Florida’s upcoming Second Chance Act, which mandates heart screenings for all high school students entering sports as of July 1, 2026.
At a recent clinic at Landmark Middle School, more than a dozen student-athletes queued for their turn at life-saving screenings. Melissa Hartman, Heart Screening Director for Who We Play For, underscored the significance to Team Duval News, saying, “Sudden cardiac arrest is the number one killer of high school athletes.” Current eighth graders eyeing high school sports are eligible for these free screenings, which can otherwise put a $50 to $100 dent in the wallet.
These screenings come at no cost to students thanks to grants and partnerships, including Jacksonville Sports Medicine Program and Duval County Public Schools Athletics. The logistical ease of having these events in schools is a point of relief for parents, coaches, and student-athletes alike. “Being able to come to the schools makes it so much easier on the parents, the coaches, the athletes—everyone,” Hartman relayed to Duval County Public Schools…