SOKY’s Annual Medical Fair Returns to Lexington in 2024

MedFest will return to Lexington from 8 am to 2 pm on Wednesday, October 23. This year’s MedFest will take place at the Southland Christian Church campus on Richmond Road. The event is held in cooperation with Fayette County Public Schools.

MedFest is a one-day health screening fair where individuals will receive a sports physical and also Special Smiles (dental), and Healthy Hearing screenings.  The sports physical meets the requirements of the Special Olympics medical waiver and qualifies to compete in Special Olympics activities, though Special Olympics participation is not required to attend MedFest.

Information about MedFest will be sent home with eligible students at participating schools. Parents or guardians must return all forms to the school by the deadline for students to be able to participate.

All physicals and screenings are provided free of charge and are performed by professional medical personnel who volunteer at the events. They will be assisted in some cases by students entering the medical fields.

Additionally, anyone interested in or planning on competing in Unified track or bowling through our partnership with the KHSAA, will be able to get their required KHSAA physical completed at the same time.

Individuals with disabilities who are not Fayette County students are also invited to attend. MedFest can be valuable both for current Special Olympics athletes who need to update their medical forms or for individuals who are interested in starting participation in Special Olympics. Anyone wishing to participate in MedFest must register in advance. Non-Fayette County students are encouraged to schedule arrivals from 8-8:30 am or 12-12:30 pm.

MedFest Registration Forms
MedFest Information Letter

Adult Participant Permission Form

SOKY Athlete Medical Form

For more information contact Brennan Smith at [email protected] or 502-695-8222.

MedFest fills an important gap in health care availability for individuals with intellectual disabilities. MedFest activities nationally have found that:

• 90% of primary care residency programs in the U.S. offer no training in caring for people with intellectual disabilities.
• 81% of graduating medical students in the U.S. report not having any training in the care of people with intellectual disabilities.
• 74% of adult Special Olympics athletes in the U.S. are overweight or obese.
• 25% are taking medications which can negatively impact the athletic experience.
• 22% had at least one previously undiagnosed medical condition.

MedFest got its start in Kentucky in 2005 when Special Olympics Kentucky offered its first event in Lexington. It has alternated between Louisville and Lexington, and another event has been held in conjunction with St. Elizabeth Healthcare and Boone County Schools in Northern Kentucky.

If you would like to volunteer or would like more information about the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes Program, please contact Brennan Smith at 502-695-8222 or by e-mail at [email protected].