More than 6,500 athletes visiting Southern California for the Special Olympics World Games knew where to turn in the event of medical emergencies last weekend thanks to a HASC member-supported effort that connected their hosts with neighbor hospitals.

Close to 100 towns from San Luis Obispo to San Diego hosted participants for a three-day period of sightseeing and cultural exchange before events launched this week. Upon arrival, organizers knew that people with intellectual and other disabilities might arrive with special medical needs.

To back the effort, hospitals provided access to services and supplies, along with some financial support, in each of the communities where athletes slept. Host communities included Alhambra and Anaheim, Big Bear Lake, Santa Maria and Solvang—among many others.   

Jennifer Bayer, HASC’s Vice President for External Affairs, played a role in connecting the towns and hospitals. Given the size and scope of the games, making the connections was a significant undertaking.

“We linked each host town with an area hospital based on the geography,” Bayer said. “This is the first time this has been done in the history of Special Olympics.”

The Special Olympics organization arranged for medical services during events themselves with support from LAC+USC Medical Center, Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Kaiser Permanente served as the event’s Official Health Partner.

The local hospitals stepped up for the initial three-day period in host towns. Services provided included support for athletes with special health requirements—as well as for more typical issues like dehydration.       

While most host-town services were provided outside the spotlight, being part of the year’s biggest sports and humanitarian event was special to all involved.

“I am very proud of the response from our doctors, nurses, labor leaders, and employee volunteers who continue to demonstrate extraordinary commitment to athletes from around the world,” said William Caswell, senior vice president of operations and chief operating officer for Kaiser Permanente of Southern California.

For more information, contact Jennifer Bayer at (213) 538-0730 or jbayer@hasc.org.