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Join Us! |
Join Kaiser Permanente Hawaii volunteers at an upcoming Special Olympics Hawaii event. |
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Our Partnership |
Kaiser Permanente has enjoyed a close partnership with Special Olympics for well over a decade, sharing the belief that participation in sports provides those with intellectual disabilities better health and quality of life.
We support key Special Olympics Hawaii (SOHI) activities and events, and we work with our SOHI partners to educate our physicians, providers, and staff to provide the highest-quality care to patients with intellectual disabilities. |
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Volunteer Opportunities |
We host several clinical volunteer opportunities throughout the year to educate and support SOHI athletes in the islands. These opportunities include Healthy Athletes (free health screenings and educational programs that take place during the SOHI Summer Games) and MedFest screenings (the physical exam that all athletes require prior to participation). |
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2024 Summer Games – Healthy Athletes
Saturday, June 8 | 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Kaiser High School |
Healthy Athletes has discovered undetected health problems, alleviated pain, and provided health services that otherwise may not have been available to Special Olympics athletes. In addition, through hands-on experience at these screenings and educational sessions, health care professionals (and volunteer students) can increase their knowledge of best practices in caring for and communicating with people with intellectual disabilities.
We are leading three Healthy Athletes programs for the upcoming SOHI Summer Games in June.
Trainings are provided for all clinical activities and are largely oriented toward helping clinical volunteers develop comfort and confidence in caring for individuals with intellectual disabilities. |
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Healthy Athletes FUNfitness |
Location: Kaiser High School AM Shift: 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | PM Shift: Noon - 5 p.m.
Clinical Director: Gale Prentiss, MD (Sports Medicine) Designed to assess and improve an athlete's flexibility, functional strength, aerobic capacity and balance, these examinations also educate participants, families and coaches and provide hands-on opportunities for participants to learn about physical therapy and fitness.
Athletes and their families receive educational literature, including a personal “fitness report card” illustrating techniques to improve flexibility, functional strength and balance and aerobic condition for sports performance and daily activities. The FUNfitness curriculum was originally developed for Special Olympics Healthy Athletes by the American Physical Therapy Association.
Clinical Volunteer Roles (Training will be provided)
Physical therapists and clinicians who will administer simple strength, flexibility, and balance screenings; provide health education; and discuss any findings.
This is also a wonderful opportunity for students (high school and older) who have community service requirements and are interested in pursuing careers in health care – including physical therapy, exercise physiology, occupational therapy, or related fields.
Non-Clinical/Administrative Volunteer Roles (Training will be provided)
Staffing the check-in/check-out tables and helping athletes move through the various stations. |
| Sign Up to Volunteer! |
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Healthy Athletes Health Promotion |
Location: Kaiser High School AM Shift: 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | PM Shift: Noon - 5 p.m.
Clinical Director: Jennifer Katada, MD (IM Residency Program Director)
Focused on prevention and nutrition, Health Promotion volunteers interview athletes to assess their health habits and conduct health screenings in three key areas: BMI, BP, and BMD.
In addition, Health Promotion uses interactive educational tools and displays, motivational literature, and demonstrations to encourage and enhance healthy behaviors, such as eating fruits and vegetables, handwashing, sun safety, smoking cessation, and self-advocacy.
Clinical Volunteer Roles (Training will be provided)
With such a diverse range of subject matter, all types of clinical volunteers are welcome, including doctors, PAs, nurses, dietitians, health education specialists, paramedics, community health workers, and lifestyle medicine coaches.
This is also a wonderful opportunity for students (high school and older) who have community service requirements and are interested in pursuing careers in health care – including primary care, dermatology, occupational medicine, or any of the other jobs listed above.
Non-Clinical/Administrative Volunteer Roles (Training will be provided)
Staffing the check-in/check-out tables and helping athletes move through the various stations. |
| Sign Up to Volunteer! |
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Healthy Athletes Strong Minds (Emotional Health) |
Location: Kaiser High School AM Shift: 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | PM Shift: Noon - 5 p.m.
Clinical Director: Gina Kellner, MD (Integrated Behavioral Health)
Strong Minds is an interactive learning activity focused on developing adaptive coping skills. Competition provides a natural opportunity to develop active strategies for maintaining emotional wellness under stress, such as: thinking positive thoughts, releasing stress and connecting with others.
Clinical Volunteer Roles (Training will be provided)
With such a diverse range of subject matter, all types of clinical volunteers are welcome, including doctors, PAs, nurses and nurse practitioners, psychologists, social workers, counselors, and behavior analysts.
This is also a wonderful opportunity for students (high school and older) who have community service requirements and are interested in pursuing careers in health care – including psychiatry, psychology, counseling, or any of the other jobs listed above.
Non-Clinical/Administrative Volunteer Roles (Training will be provided)
Staffing the check-in/check-out tables and helping athletes move through the various stations. |
| Sign Up to Volunteer! |
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MedFest Screenings |
We host or participate in MedFest® screenings on 4 islands. Host sites have included Lihue Clinic, Mapunapuna Medical Office, Kona Medical Office, and Hilo Clinic. Our physicians, providers, and staff have also supported MedFest screenings at other locations such as the Special Olympics Hawaii Sports and Wellness Center in Ewa Beach.
Trainings are provided for all clinical activities and are largely oriented toward helping clinical volunteers develop comfort and confidence in caring for individuals with intellectual disabilities. |
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MedFest® Screenings (History & Physical Exam) |
Clinical Director: Benjamin Chun, MD (Sports Medicine) MedFest was created to offer the physical exam that all athletes need prior to participating in Special Olympics sports programming.
MedFest screenings consist of: medical history, height and weight, blood pressure, cardiology test, musculoskeletal test, orthopedic tests, abdominal evaluation, and a check-out station.
Clinical Volunteer Roles (Training will be provided)
Led by volunteer physicians, nurses, PAs, and residents – with shadowing opportunities for medical students.
Non-Clinical/Administrative Volunteer Roles (Training will be provided)
MedFest screenings typically require very few non-clinical support staff. |
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Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt. |
- Special Olympics Athletes' Oath |
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hpmg-communications@kp.org