SOKY’s Annual Medical Fair Returns to Louisville with a New Look in 2025
MedFest will return to Louisville on Saturday, November 1, with a completely new format.
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.
In the past, MedFest has always been held on a weekday and affiliated with a local school district. This will be the first time that MedFest has been a fully open event. Information will be sent out to current athletes and local coordinators in the area as well local day programs. Preregistration will required 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.
For more information contact Brennan Smith at bsmith@soky.org 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 bsmith@soky.org.