Kaiser Permanente Expands Particular Olympics Colorado Relationship – Cyber Tech

On a crisp fall morning, Kaiser Permanente doctor Morgan Swank, MD, ob-gyn, and her sons Patrick and Finnegan Rudersdorf — stepped onto a virtually frozen subject in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Patrick and Finnegan started to toss a soccer to heat up for his or her very massive day taking part in for the Particular Olympics Colorado State Flag Soccer Championship with their crew: the Lakewood Lightning.

Patrick is a Particular Olympics Colorado athlete. Finnegan is a unified associate — a volunteer with out mental disabilities who trains and competes as a teammate alongside Particular Olympics athletes. This was their third season taking part in soccer.

“They do flag soccer, basketball, and monitor and subject,” stated Dr. Swank. “The flag soccer state championship might be one of the vital enjoyable Particular Olympics occasions of the yr.”

It’s additionally a key alternative to enhance the well being of Particular Olympics athletes. Simply steps away from the taking part in fields, one other crew was working laborious on that purpose.

Supporting athletes’ well being

Inside a close-by gymnasium, Kaiser Permanente doctor leaders Hector De Leon, MD, pediatrics, and Garrett Mitchell, MD, emergency medication and pressing care, had been the final cease on the finish of a protracted circuit of tables as a part of the Particular Olympics Well being Promotion Well being Screening.

“I am ensuring that persons are getting the fitting meals, doing the fitting degree of bodily exercise, getting the correct amount of sleep, after which answering any questions they might have alongside the way in which,” stated Dr. De Leon.

Athletes moved across the fitness center, getting well being measurements like physique mass index, bone mineral density, and blood stress, in addition to studying about hydration and solar security. Drs. De Leon and Mitchell talked athletes and their households by means of their measurement outcomes.

“Not many individuals know, however Particular Olympics is definitely the biggest supplier of well being screenings to individuals with disabilities on the earth,” stated Megan Scremin, president and CEO of Particular Olympics Colorado.

Dr. De Leon stated he was proud to sponsor the screening and to volunteer, supporting athletes’ total well-being, each on and off the sphere.

“Giving high-quality care in a approach that feels comfy for individuals within the communities that we’re in, that is what we’re about,” he stated.

A relationship constructed to develop

Kaiser Permanente and Particular Olympics Colorado started their relationship in 2011. Their work collectively has grown considerably over time. Past flag soccer, Kaiser Permanente has:

• Dedicated to sponsoring Crew Colorado as they put together for the 2026 USA Video games
• Dedicated to being the official group well being associate
• Contributed greater than $440,000 in sponsorships and donations
• Sponsored the Younger Athlete of the 12 months Award on the Corridor of Fame Luncheon
• Supported the Younger Athlete Summer season Sports activities Camp because the presenting sponsor
• Sponsored the VIP lounge for the Particular Olympics Aircraft Pull
• Supported the Particular Olympics Colorado Annual Convention, bringing collectively coaches, caregivers, and group leaders
• Continued management involvement by means of service on Particular Olympics Colorado’s board of administrators

Kaiser Permanente contributed greater than $135,000 in 2025, supporting 7 Particular Olympics Colorado occasions.

A profitable end

Again on the sphere, greater than 1,000 athletes competed on 70 groups. All of them skilled over the course of an 8-week season in hopes of a championship.

And for Patrick and Finnegan, that dream got here true. Their crew earned gold medals.

For Dr. Swank, victory was just a bit sweeter, seeing her colleagues assist the crew.

“It made me really feel actually proud to be a doctor and mother with a company that’s doing lots for the group and giving again.”