A group of students in the College of Medicine coordinated a Healthy Athletes Medfest in fall 2023, offering sports physicals for Special Olympics participants in Portage County.
The event was hosted by the student group the NEOMED Alliance for Disability Inclusion and Advocacy (NADIA).
“It is sometimes the first exposure these athletes have to medical care, so it is vital to create a safe space that encourages athletes to seek preventative care,” explained NADIA president Lauren Falcon, a second-year medicine student. “Despite a mistaken belief that people with intellectual disabilities receive the same or better health care, the health disparities experienced may cause them to shy away from seeing a doctor altogether.”
Falcon and second-year medicine student Riley Moberly worked closely with staff from the Portage County Board of Developmental Disabilities and the Special Olympics to plan the event. Each of the four medical teams formed consisted of a physician and four students. They had the opportunity to provide two sports physicals and educate athletes about healthy alternatives to their diet. They served 14 participants who reside in Portage County.
The Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and puts together athletic competitions for people with intellectual disabilities. Through the power of sports, the participants foster the discovery of strengths, abilities and skills in a manner that builds confidence both on and off the playing field. Their mission is to shift focus on what athletes can do, not what they are unable to do. Sports physicals are required to ensure that athletes can safely compete in Special Olympics programs.
Athlete Nickie appreciated the opportunity to get a sports physical, noting, “The doctor and medical students helped me to feel comfortable during the event. I am more at ease about going to the doctor. The volunteers made me laugh and enjoy myself.”
NADIA is planning to serve more Special Olympics athletes in the future.
“We saw the need for a Healthy Athletes Medfest in Northeast Ohio, therefore decided we would like to include surrounding counties in the future,” Falcon said.
Among the NEOMED students volunteering at the event were Brigid Devine (M1), Syllissa Duncan (M2), Christine Lo Verde (M1), Brianna Love (M1), Riley Moberly (M2), Anita Ney (M1), Caleb Oleson (M2), Ekim Otucu (M2), Ishani Pandit (M2), Alison Pryor (M1), Julianna Sandine (M1), Nicholas Sciaretti (M1), Raghav Shah (M1), Ryan Shaner (M2), and Morgan Smith (M1).
