Keeping Special Olympics Hawaii athletes in the game

HONOLULU — More than 25 Special Olympics athletes received free medical exams from Kaiser Permanente at MedFest 2023. Now in its 13th year, MedFest is an annual event that provides comprehensive physical screenings to athletes of all ages competing in Special Olympics Hawaii.

Exams were provided by physicians, nurses, and medical staff at the Kaiser Permanente Mapunapuna Medical Office in a day centered around health and well-being.

Athletes from various schools and clubs throughout the island came to the event to receive their physical examination needed to participate in training and competition. Kaiser Permanente physicians, including pediatricians, registered nurses, and nurse practitioners checked athletes’ vision, height, weight, blood pressure, and cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health. Kaiser Permanente also provided healthy snacks and giveaways to attendees.

“Our team is proud to partner with Special Olympics Hawaii again this year to support these athletes in safe participation in competition, and encouragement of continued engagement in healthy, active lifestyles,” said Benjamin Chun, MD, clinical director, Special Olympics Hawaii MedFest and Sports Medicine for Kaiser Permanente in Hawaii. “We wish them all the best of luck as they compete in this year’s games!”

“We are thankful for the continued partnership of Kaiser Permanente and their support, which allows us to hold MedFest events throughout the year, ensuring that our athletes are healthy and ready to train and compete,” said Special Olympics Hawaii Health & Wellness Manager, Michelle Kimura. “Their trained and skilled teams do a great job of making this experience fun and easy for our athletes and their families and we cannot thank them enough.”

For more information on Special Olympics Hawaii, call 808-943-8808 or visit sohawaii.org. Special Olympics Hawaii is also on Twitter and Instagram at @SOHawaii and on Facebook at facebook.com/SpecialOlympicsHawaii.

About Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.6 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health.