Graduate and medical students teach Special Olympics athletes fitness and health at the second annual event.
For the second year in a row, students at ΊΪΑΟ΄«ΛΝΓΕ welcomed athletes with the Special Olympics PA β Philadelphia program for a day dedicated to physical fitness, arts and crafts and health and wellness education. This yearβs event more than doubled in size; more than 100 athletes were partnered with students in the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), Bio-Medical Sciences, Physician Assistant Studies and Psychology programs on activities such as basketball; parachute time; t-shirt design; x-ray pictures; and βPretend Doctor,β where athletes practiced their medical skills and knowledge.
The annual event is designed to teach special needs children about health, nutrition and physical fitness, while giving students studying in the medical, behavioral health and health science fields exposure to a population they may not otherwise interact with so early in their careers.
βWe will be working with the special needs population in the future, so itβs a great way for us to connect and interact with this population early on,β said Jasmine Park (DO β21), chair of the DO Council Special Olympics Committee.
βΊΪΑΟ΄«ΛΝΓΕβs commitment to providing physical activity and health information in an inclusive setting is outstanding,β said Chase Trimmer, director, Special Olympics PA β Philadelphia.
The event was hosted by the DO Council Special Olympics Committee in conjunction with Special Olympics PA β Philadelphia, and with support from with support from ΊΪΑΟ΄«ΛΝΓΕ AID (Advocates for Individuals with Disabilities); The Robert Berger Pediatrics Society; ΊΪΑΟ΄«ΛΝΓΕ Students for Life; and the ΊΪΑΟ΄«ΛΝΓΕ Ophthalmology Club.
Established in 1899, ΊΪΑΟ΄«ΛΝΓΕ has trained thousands of highly competent, caring physicians, health practitioners and behavioral scientists who practice a βwhole personβ approach to careβtreating people, not just symptoms. ΊΪΑΟ΄«ΛΝΓΕ, a private, not-for-profit accredited institution of higher education, operates three campuses (ΊΪΑΟ΄«ΛΝΓΕ, ΊΪΑΟ΄«ΛΝΓΕ Georgia and ΊΪΑΟ΄«ΛΝΓΕ South Georgia) and offers doctoral degrees in clinical psychology, educational psychology, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, and school psychology. The college also offers graduate degrees in applied behavior analysis, applied positive psychology, biomedical sciences, forensic medicine, medical laboratory science, mental health counseling, physician assistant studies, and school psychology. ΊΪΑΟ΄«ΛΝΓΕ students learn the importance of health promotion, research, education and service to the community. Through its community-based Healthcare Centers, ΊΪΑΟ΄«ΛΝΓΕ provides care to medically underserved populations. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 215-871-6100.
For general media inquiries, please contact the Office of Marketing and Communications at 215-871-6300 or communications@pcom.edu. Visit our media relations page to view contact information for public relations personnel.