Advocate Health Care partners with Special Olympics Illinois for annual MedFest providing free exams
Special Olympics Illinois, in partnership with Advocate Health Care, successfully hosted the annual MedFest at United Center on Tuesday, Dec. 3.
This event offered free sports physicals to athletes to ensure they meet the requirements for participation in Special Olympics Illinois programs.
MedFest welcomed athletes from various organizations including Chicago Public Schools, Chicago Park District locations, residential and workshop facilities, and private agencies to receive the required sports physicals necessary to participate in life-changing Special Olympics Illinois programming, at no cost.
During MedFest, Advocate Health Care’s team of dedicated medical professionals conducted comprehensive sports physical examinations on more than 350 athletes to ensure each athlete’s health and fitness level for participation in a variety of sports activities.
These exams serve as a prerequisite for athletes to engage in Special Olympics Illinois competitions and year-round programming.
Pete Beale-DelVecchio, president and CEO of Special Olympics Illinois, expressed the significance of MedFest by stating, “At Special Olympics Illinois, we believe every individual, regardless of ability, deserves the opportunity to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendships with their community. We are grateful for our partnership with Advocate Health Care and their commitment to building a healthier, active, and more inclusive society. Through the no-cost healthcare services provided at this MedFest event, hundreds of athletes will be able to access the life-changing programming of Special Olympics Illinois.”
Dr. Rick Bone, Senior Medical Director, Population Health, Advocate Medical Group, highlighted Advocate’s long-standing involvement in the event saying, “As part of our commitment to providing accessible health care for all, Advocate Health Care is proud to continue our more than 20-year partnership with Special Olympics Illinois to offer free sports physicals for hundreds of Chicago-area athletes. Through MedFest, our dedicated clinician and teammate volunteers work to build healthier communities by providing access to the health care services required for participation in Special Olympics programming.”