At the heart of every great partnership is a shared mission — and Sentara and Special Olympics Virginia are united in their commitment to health, inclusion and community.
What began as an event sponsorship in 2022 has grown into a transformative, statewide partnership. This partnership has always been about more than just funding, it is about building inclusive communities and creating lasting access to quality healthcare for people with intellectual disabilities across Virginia.
A key part of the partnership centers on Healthy Athletes, a Special Olympics initiative that offers free health screenings and education in areas such as vision, hearing, dental care, physical therapy, podiatry, emotional wellness and general health. Many screenings uncover previously undetected issues, giving athletes the tools and referrals they need to live stronger, healthier lives.
Thanks to Sentara’s support, we continue to offer Healthy Athletes at our largest event, Summer Games, to include Healthy Hearing, Fun Fitness, Special Smiles, Opening Eyes and skin checks. In 2023 and 2024, we added MedFest events — comprehensive physical exams designed to clear athletes for participation in sports – in the Hampton Roads market. Additionally, Sentara’s support helped us enhance the Healthy Athletes experience at Fall Championships in 2023 by offering Healthy Hearing. And we continue to have conversations with their team and others in the area to find ways to offer more Healthy Athletes opportunities into Hampton Roads in the future.
Of course, Sentara’s support isn’t limited to clinics and check-ups. Their employees are all-in when it comes to volunteering. You’ll find them at Summer Games helping with swimming, track & field, softball and logistics; at Basketball Championships supporting teams and fans; and at Fall Championships, giving their time to events like pickleball, volleyball and golf.
“We had a blast this weekend volunteering, and so did my youngest,” said Sentara team member Marisol Hidalgo.
This level of engagement reflects Sentara’s core values — People, Quality, Patient Safety, Service, and Integrity — and their mission to improve health every day. It also speaks to their vision of being the healthcare choice of the communities they serve.
“We’re incredibly proud to be in a holistic partnership with Special Olympics Virginia — not just as sponsors, but as volunteers and champions of inclusion and health,” said Sherry Norquist, Executive Director, Community Engagement & Impact at Sentara Healthcare. “The spirit, determination and joy we experience at these events reflects everything we believe healthcare should be: human, connected and community-driven.”
“Sentara is more than a corporate partner — they’re part of our movement,” said David Thomason, President and CEO of Special Olympics Virginia. “From sponsorships to hands-on volunteerism, their support helps us grow stronger, healthier communities where every individual is seen, valued and included.”
Together, Sentara and Special Olympics Virginia are proving that when healthcare and inclusion go hand-in-hand, everyone wins.