Faculty and students from Arcadia University’s College of Health Sciences (CHS) joined athletes, coaches, families, healthcare professionals, and other volunteers from institutions across the state at Special Olympics Pennsylvania’s 37th annual Fall Festival.

Taking place Nov. 7-9 at Villanova University, the Fall Festival is recognized as the largest student-run Special Olympics in the world, bringing together athletes and coaches from across the state for competition in bocce, flag football, long-distance running and walking, powerlifting, soccer, and volleyball. Over 50 members of CHS’s Physician Assistant (PA), Physical Therapy (PT), and Public Health departments supported the festival by providing free, on-site medical services and healthcare education throughout the weekend.

“Participating in this event is vital because it directly addresses a critical gap in healthcare training and delivery,” said Director of Outreach and Associate Professor for Arcadia’s Physician Assistant Program Mike Huber, MMS, PA-C, DFAAPA. “Nationally, 90% of primary care residency programs do not include training in the care of people with intellectual disabilities, and 81% of graduating medical students report receiving no such training at all. At the same time, the health needs of this population are significant: 59% of adult Special Olympics athletes are overweight or obese, 31% of athletes under age 20 face the same challenge, and 22% are found to have at least one previously undiagnosed medical condition.”  

“Community service has always been at the heart of why I chose a career in healthcare and education,” added Chair and Program Director of Arcadia’s PA Program Erin Wolf, BSN, MS, PA-C. “Partnering with an incredible organization like the Special Olympics deeply reflects the mission of the Arcadia PA Program—to educate compassionate, patient-centered, and service-driven medical professionals who value diversity, global awareness, and lifelong learning. Watching our students embody this mission through acts of service inspires me every day and reaffirms our shared commitment to developing future PAs who lead with empathy, professionalism, and purpose in every community they touch.” 

CHS volunteers could choose between four medical and wellness-focused volunteer programs including Medical Volunteering, which supplied first aid, injury assessment, and basic medical support for athletes and partners; Healthy Athletes, which provided free health screenings including FUNFitness (physical therapy), Healthy Hearing (audiology), Health Promotion (better health and wellness), Opening Eyes (vision), Special Smiles (dentistry), and Fit Feet (podiatry); Healthy Habits, which helped athletes build sustainable health and wellness routines; and the Performance Station, which led athletes through stretches before and after competing and educated them on goal setting and competition readiness.

This year, Allegheny Health Network’s Chill Room was available at the festival, where athletes and coaches had the opportunity to practice mindfulness and learn coping skills. The Chill Room was available to help participants prepare for their next event or relax in a quiet space.

Danielle Davis ’27DPT volunteered as a student physical therapist with the Healthy Athletes program, assisting with athletic screenings, assessing ranges of motion, strength, balance, and flexibility, in addition to educating about injury prevention and safe participation in sports. 

“I wanted to get involved with the Fall Festival because it represents the heart of what drew me to physical therapy, using movement and health education to empower individuals of all abilities,” she said. “Participating in the Fall Festival reinforces my desire to pursue a career where I can unite clinical practice with community engagement. Being a physical therapist extends beyond the classroom and clinic walls; it’s about being an advocate, educator, and ally for diverse populations. Experiences like volunteering with the Special Olympics strengthen my commitment to improving accessibility in adaptive sports and community-based wellness programs.”

Alexis Sterk ’27MMS, MPH, noted the impact of this opportunity on her career goals as a physician assistant. She volunteered with the Medical Volunteering program.

“Participating in an event like this is giving me an idea of what PAs can do for their community outside of working in a hospital or a clinic,” Sterk said. “It also means I can use my skills in the future to volunteer at events like this with the Special Olympics and give back to the community.”

At the Healthy Habit and Hydration Station, Yun Woo Chung, ’29MMS, MPH, encouraged building sustainable health and wellness routines by educating attendees on food groups and nutritional value. For Chung, involvement in this festival allows her to learn from diverse perspectives and grow as a future clinician.

“This event offers a valuable opportunity to interact with children and athletes with special needs, allowing me to practice advocating for public health at their level of understanding,” Chung explained. “I believe this is a skill that requires careful attention to health literacy and communication methods. I want to better understand their unique experiences–not just the challenges they bring to their communities. Being part of the Fall Festival, where preventive care is provided in a welcoming, community-based setting, will allow me to see how public health and clinical practice come together to make a real difference.” 

Jennifer Canfield ’27MMS, who was a Medical Volunteer, worked with Special Olympics in high school and jumped at the opportunity to do so again.

“I really love volunteering and getting involved with the community, and I was excited by the chance to do so,” said Canfield. “As a future PA, I will be working with all patient populations. Early exposure to treating those with disabilities will make me a better provider in the future, and ensure I can give the best care possible to all of my patients.”

Participation in this Fall Festival from all three CHS programs highlights the College’s emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration, experiential learning, and providing healthcare for all.

“I was excited this year to be able to get students and faculty from all three programs in CHS involved in supporting this event. This opportunity aligns with our mission of interprofessional learning, education, and patient healthcare delivery,” Huber explained. “By engaging our Physician Assistant, Physical Therapy, and Public Health students in the Fall Festival, we are not only exposing them to meaningful, hands-on experiences with individuals with intellectual disabilities, but also preparing them to close these gaps as future healthcare providers. For participants, this event provides access to critical screenings and health education they may not otherwise receive. For CHS as a whole, it demonstrates our commitment to advancing health equity, equipping our students with essential skills, and strengthening our partnership with Special Olympics in a way that has a lasting impact on both our students and the communities they will serve.”