MERCY CARE NAMED PRESENTING SPONSOR OF SPECIAL OLYLMPICS ARIZONA’S HEALTHY ATHLETES PROGRAM FOR 2024 STATE SUMMER GAMES

Mercy Care has partnered with Special Olympics Arizona for more than 14 years

Mercy Care, a proud 14-year sponsor of Special Olympics Arizona (SOAZ), has extended its partnership and will be the Presenting Sponsor for SOAZ’s Healthy Athletes program at the 2024 State Summer Games at Kellis High School, April 25-27.  Healthy Athletes provides complimentary medical screenings and education to athletes in sports psychology, sports physicals, podiatry, physical therapy, optometry, dentistry, and audiology.

The Friday (April 26) programming schedule will include Strong Minds, MedFest, Sun Safety, Healthy Relationships, Athlete Leadership, Esports, and Sensory Station.  The Saturday (April 27) schedule includes Healthy Hearing, Special Smiles (Presented by Delta Dental), FUNFitness, Fit Feet, Athlete Leadership, Esports, Sensory Station, and Opening Eyes.

“Mercy Care has been a tremendous partner to work with over the last 14 years and they have been integral in the growth of the Healthy Athletes program that gives all of our athletes the opportunity to lead healthier lives,” Heckerman said.  “We are proud to work alongside Mercy Care and always happy to see the athletes enjoying all of the Healthy Athletes programming.”

While there have been improvements over the years, people with intellectual disabilities still face significant health issues, not because of their conditions but as a result of inadequate access to health services and education.  Mercy Care’s partnership supporting the Healthy Athletes Program has been the foundation of the Special Olympics Arizona Health Program strategic plan for the last 15 years.

Mercy Care’s partnership with SOAZ started with a $10,000 grant for the 2010-11 sports season and featured two disciplines and 200 free preventative health screenings.  Since then, Mercy Care’s support has continued to grow, providing more than $200,000 in financial assistance, delivering more than 22,000 free health screenings, training more than 1,000 health professionals and students to educate and treat people with intellectual disabilities, and offering more than 3,400 employee volunteer hours.

Thanks to the great support of Mercy Care, SOAZ achieved Healthy Community status in 2016 and is now considered the leader in Healthy Athletes implementation, hosting trainings annually for Clinical Directors throughout North America.

Mercy Care is a not-for-profit health plan sponsored by Dignity Health and Ascension offering integrated care to children, adults and seniors eligible for AHCCCS benefits since 1985.  Mercy Care has a broad, statewide network of providers who offer services and support for members with intellectual disabilities.