This year’s honorees are:

Delta Dental – Delta Dental of Kentucky is the largest, not-for-profit dental benefits carrier in the state – proudly insuring more than seven hundred thousand smiles across the Commonwealth. The Delta Dental of Kentucky Foundation provides annual funding to Kentucky’s non-profits. Delta Dental has been a sponsor of Special Olympics Kentucky since 2011 by providing funding as well as much needed oral health care products and educational materials. They also have supplied opportunities for employee engagement and volunteerism at Special Olympics Kentucky events.

Kentucky Inclusive Health Collaborative – The Kentucky Inclusive Health Collaborative is the health and wellness program at the University of Kentucky’s Human Development Institute. Their mission is to ignite positive change to address the significant health disparities for individuals with disabilities across the lifespan. They work to establish resources and community partnerships as well as provide technical support to promote accessible health programs and services. They offer education for individuals on adaptive health strategies and train professionals on inclusion, accessibility, universal design, and facilitation of health programming for the broadest audience. Most importantly they work to empower self-advocates, support networks, professionals, and public health to work together to successfully incorporate strategies for equal health for all.

Kentucky Inclusive Health Collaborative has been a supporter of Special Olympics Kentucky since 2016 and for the last year has partnered with SOKY to provide Wellness Wednesdays virtually during COVID times.

Dr. Matt Adamkin, University of Louisville Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation – Since 2015, Dr. Adamkin has incorporated MedFest into the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PMR) residency program at the University of Louisville School of Medicine.  He has supervised residents for 6 years at Kentucky’s MedFest, and has been responsible for over 900 free sports physical exams provided to Special Olympics Kentucky (SOKY) athletes.  He has also led a clinic based MedFest, where SOKY athletes are able to go to Frazier Rehabilitation Institute to receive sports physical exams free of charge.  As Chief Resident at Carolinas Rehabilitation in Charlotte, North Carolina, he incorporated MedFest into the duties of the PMR Chief Residents to ensure sustainability.Because the physicians are trained prior to the event, they understand those with special needs, providing an event where the athletes are able to be comfortable.  Dr. Adamkin is also able to serve as a care coordinator, helping athletes who need care access the local health care system.  Dr. Adamkin and the U of L PMR group support Special Olympics Kentucky year-round by providing screenings and accept referrals for those who need follow up care.