Special Olympics New York Announces Creation of First-Ever Statewide Health Advisory Council
Council to Spearhead Health Improvements for People with Disabilities in NY State
Dr. Vincent Siasoco to Chair Council
Albany, NY – Special Olympics New York has announced its next major milestone in the field of health for people with disabilities: the formation of an official statewide Health Advisory Council.
The Health Advisory Council will further and enhance the health vision and objectives of Special Olympics NY. Along with understanding, embracing, and promoting the benefits of fitness, this multi-disciplinary council will strive to ensure inclusive, accessible, integrated, quality health care. The Council will be comprised of 10 members chosen from various disciplines. Members are required to have at least three years of experience working with people with disabilities and/or Special Olympics NY health programs. Each member serves a two-year term.
“As we celebrate our organization’s 50th anniversary and look ahead to the future, we have committed to expanding our health programs for athletes and continuing to address the disparities in care that people with intellectual disabilities face,” said Special Olympics New York President and CEO Stacey Hengsterman. “The creation of the Health Advisory Council is an exciting first step toward our vision, and we are proud to have the immensely talented Vincent Siasoco leading the way as chair.”
Dr. Vincent Siasoco is a Board-certified Family Physician, Chief Medical Officer at the Metro Community Health Centers, and Clinical Director for Special Olympics MedFest and Health Promotion. He is also the Co-Chair of the Cerebral Palsy Associations of NYS Medical Director’s Council and a member of advisory committees for the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities.
“We know that many Special Olympics NY athletes still do not have access to adequate healthcare and resources throughout the state,” said Dr. Siasoco. “This new Health Advisory Council, made up of clinical and non-clinical stakeholders, will go beyond the typical screenings to work on improving access and coordination of care for these athletes, along with monitoring data and outcomes. It will be a game changer.”
The official announcement of the Council will be made at Special Olympics NY’s Annual Health Summit in New York City on December 13. For those interested in attending the Summit, please email Leanne Fusco at lfusco@nyso.org.
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About Special Olympics New York
Special Olympics New York is the largest state chapter in the country, serving more than 67,000 athletes across New York with year-round sports training, athletic competition, and health screenings. The organization also partners with more than 170 schools statewide to offer Unified Sports. All Special Olympics New York programs are offered at no cost to athletes, their families or caregivers. For additional information about Special Olympics New York, to learn more about getting involved, or to make a donation, visit www.specialolympicsNY.org.
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