Ahead of a major sporting event, athletes might undergo a physical or wellness check to ensure they are in the best possible health to remain competitive. Assistant Professor David Frumberg, MD, wants the same for his athletes too, who may face far more complex conditions.
Dr. Frumberg is continuing a long Yale Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation tradition of volunteering with Special Olympics Connecticut. He is the clinical director of the first-ever MedFest in Connecticut, an event which provides a day of medical screening for all Special Olympics athletes.
“Special Olympics is a fantastic organization that is known for sports offerings, but its global health initiatives are especially noteworthy, particularly those that address the healthcare needs of people with intellectual disabilities,” Dr. Frumberg says. “There is a large disparity in meeting those needs, and we want to change that on a global level.”
Medfest is a community of both medical volunteers that help to provide sports physicals for athletes ahead of their events. Athletes are required to obtain medical clearance to begin participating in Special Olympics, Dr. Frumberg says.
Special Olympics is a fantastic organization that is known for sports offerings, but its global health initiatives are especially noteworthy, particularly those that address the healthcare needs of people with intellectual disabilities. There is a large disparity in meeting those needs, and we want to change that on a global level.
David Frumberg
“They also need clearance to continue participating. Unfortunately, obtaining medical care is a major barrier experienced by many athletes. MedFest is an attempt to remove that potential barrier,” he says.
The group aims to offer standardized physical screenings that athletes need both before the event and also every three years after. The goal is to provide screenings for more than 150 athletes ahead of their competition during the daylong event.
“Special Olympics is all about inclusion. MedFest is just another way we can ensure more people are included in the wide range of activities offered by the organization,” Dr. Frumberg says.