Nazareth honored for health and wellness commitment to Special Olympics athletes
For Nazareth College's efforts to improve the health and wellness of people with intellectual disabilities, Special Olympics NY (SONY) has chosen Nazareth for a 2020 Golisano Health Leadership Award. The award recognizes SONY's leading health partners for their support in improving the health and wellness of Special Olympics athletes and the intellectual disabilities (ID) population in the Rochester area.
Nazareth College has a long-standing collaboration with Special Olympics. Initiatives promoting inclusion, fitness, and wellness for athletes of all abilities were celebrated at the October 21, 2019, grand opening of Nazareth's Golisano Training Center — a first-of-its kind collaboration and a national model of "wellness for all."
One way Nazareth students and faculty have continued the commitment to Special Olympics during the pandemic was pivoting quickly to move a six-week health/fitness/wellness program for SO athletes from in person to a virtual "e-Fit Club" with both recorded and live components.
"Social distancing and the closure of fitness venues and activities can decrease health, fitness, and well-being. These negative effects are likely to be even more pronounced among people with intellectual disabilities," says Michael Chen, Ph.D., assistant professor in Nazareth's public health program.
The e-Fit Club included digital content created by Nazareth public health students on nutrition, fitness, and mental health, plus virtual "office hours" when participants could drop in online to chat with students who designed each eFit Club session.
Chen said the e-Fit Club was a collaborative effort among the Nazareth Health and Human Services disciplines and their community partners at Special Olympics and LifePrep at Nazareth. "Perhaps the biggest assist came from all the helpers and coaches that helped the SO athletes access our online program and give helpful feedback to improve our next iteration," said Chen.
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Julie Long | Chief PR Officer, | (585) 781-8186 | jlong2@naz.edu
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Nazareth Special Olympics Club performed healthy athlete screenings at the 2019 Special Olympics Winter Games opening ceremonies in downtown Rochester.