Breaking Barriers to Health and Opportunity: MedFest Empowers Special Olympics Wisconsin Athletes

On a warm Wednesday morning at the Froedtert Forest Home Health Center, a group of dedicated healthcare professionals and passionate volunteers came together for more than just physical exams. They helped open doors to inclusion, confidence, and year-round opportunity for Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI) athletes.

MedFest, a Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® screening program, provides free sports physicals to current and prospective athletes with intellectual disabilities—removing one of the most critical barriers to participation in sport: access to quality healthcare.

With the help of 11 medical students from the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), three residents from the hosting clinic, and Clinical Director Dr. Jeremy Waldhart, this year’s MedFest offered 14 comprehensive sports physicals to athletes of all ages. These exams, required by Special Olympics General Rules, ensure that every athlete is fit and ready to safely participate in SOWI’s robust sports programming.

More Than a Physical: A Pathway to Inclusion

MedFest goes far beyond a traditional health screening. Each physical exam includes a full review of medical history, blood pressure, height and weight checks, musculoskeletal and abdominal evaluations, and referrals when needed. But perhaps more importantly, MedFest creates a welcoming, inclusive environment where athletes feel safe, heard, and supported.

Martese, an athlete with the Milwaukee Public School team, summed up his experience simply:

“Well now I feel good.”

That statement speaks volumes. For athletes like Martese, MedFest may be one of the few opportunities to access healthcare in a space tailored to meet their needs. As Lyndsay Linsmeier, one of Martese’s coaches stated, “Opportunities like MedFest allow our athletes who don’t have access to basic physicals get them, but also allow for athletes who feel nervous or scared to visit a doctor feel safe because Dr. Jeremy makes them feel that way. MedFest allows athletes to feel like they have a safe space to be seen by a doctor who will meet their needs.”

Families, First-Timers, and Future Champions

This year’s MedFest was filled with powerful stories and milestones:

• Bruce Smith Jr., his wife Erin, and their son Bruce Smith III—all active Special Olympics athletes—received their updated physicals together, ensuring another year of family fun and competition.
• Three athletes preparing for the 2026 USA Games completed their physicals:
  • Noelle Marks (swimming)
  • Timothy Vola (volleyball)
  • Andrew Falek (volleyball)
• Andrew Heintz, a brand-new participant, completed all the paperwork to officially join SOWI, marking the beginning of what promises to be an exciting athletic journey.

Each of these moments represents not just medical clearance, but a renewed commitment to physical fitness, teamwork, and self-empowerment.

Building Inclusive Healthcare Through Training

Before the event, all volunteers completed Inclusive Health Training, presented by Special Olympics Wisconsin staff and individuals with lived experience. The training focused on the healthcare disparities faced by people with intellectual disabilities and equipped providers with actionable strategies to create more equitable care environments.

It’s through this education—and the compassion of professionals like Dr. Waldhart and his team—that MedFest remains a trusted and transformative experience.

A Lasting Impact

By removing barriers to healthcare, creating safe spaces for athletes, and offering inclusive training for future providers, MedFest does more than prepare athletes for sport—it builds a healthier, more inclusive Wisconsin.

Whether you’re a healthcare provider, volunteer, or supporter, there’s a place for you in the Special Olympics movement. To learn more or get involved, visit Special Olympics Wisconsin.

Together, we’re not just changing lives—we’re celebrating them.