Special Olympics is launching a worldwide award program called the Golisano Global Health Leadership Awards. The idea is to recognize the work of individuals and organizations who are improving the health of people with intellectual disabilities.
Ann Costello is executive director of the Golisano Foundation. She says it's important to recognize health professionals and other people who are helping serve what is an underserved population.
“These are the people in the trenches, they do the work, day in and day out, not too often do we thank them or recognize them, and we also want to encourage others who are in a position to follow their lead to join us and participate in our goal toward inclusive health.”
Golisano says it's important to recognize efforts to bring health justice to an underserved population.
“People with intellectual disabilities still are one of the largest groups of underserved individuals in not only our health care arena, but of course this is specifically about health disparities and we’re trying to not only raise awareness but to educate and do something about that.”
Philanthropist and Paychex Founder Tom Golisano gave $37 million to help launch Special Olympics' global health initiative.
There have been awards previously given out locally, but now this will be done on a global basis.
Approximately 32 people and organizations will be honored, and seven honorees will receive global awards which will be announced at the Special Olympics World Games in Austria next March.
