U.S. Paralympics Recognizes MedStar National Rehabilitation Network Adaptive Sports for Excellence
Washington, D.C., – Dec. 21, 2016 - U.S. Paralympics, a division of the United States Olympic Committee, today announced that MedStar National Rehabilitation Network has been recognized as a Bronze level club as a part of the Paralympic Sport Club Excellence Program, which also recognizes 65 other clubs across the country. Created in 2013, the excellence program is designed to support Paralympic Sport Clubs as they evolve their sport programming in areas such as athlete identification and coaching education, and recognize their contributions to growing the Paralympic movement in the United States.
“Paralympic Sport Clubs are critical not only for the development of athletes but also for the growth of the Paralympic movement in the United States,” said Rick Adams, chief of Paralympic sport and NGB organizational development. “We are grateful for the investment these Paralympic Sports Clubs have made in their communities and we are proud to honor their commitment to excellence in supporting future Paralympic athletes.”
The multi-tier excellence program has benchmarks at the bronze, silver and gold levels to give participating clubs a blueprint for transitioning from a basic provider (bronze level) to an elite provider (gold level) of Paralympic programming. After a Paralympic Sport Club completes a level, the club will be eligible to receive recognition and an award designated for the bronze, silver or gold level. Clubs designated as gold or silver receive a stipend for programming, while bronze-level clubs receive recognition banners.
“MedStar National Rehabilitation Network is honored to be recognized as a Bronze participant by U.S. Paralympics,” said Joan Joyce, Therapeutic Recreation Director with MedStar National Rehabilitation Network. “We have very competitive teams that compete in all forms of adaptive sports that work hard each and every day and who continue to excel with this recognition.”
When the program launched in 2013, 24 programs were recognized. This year, an additional 15 clubs across the country achieved excellence for the first time or moved up a level from 2015. These 15 clubs are:
Gold medal awardees:
- Bridge II Sports, Durham, NC
- Penn State University Ability Athletics, University Park, PA
Silver medal awardee:
- Challenge Alaska, Anchorage, AK
- Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute, Golden Valley, MN
- Dare2tri Paratriathlon Club, Chicago, IL
- Sportable Adaptive Sports and Recreation, Richmond, VA
Bronze medal awardees:
- Children’s Lightning Wheels, Mountainside, NJ
- Columbus Recreation and Parks, Columbus, OH
- MedStar National Rehabilitation Network, Washington D.C.
- Northwest Association for Blind Athletes, Vancouver, WA
- Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation, Lake Worth, FL
- Row New York, Long Island City, NY
- Steamboat STARS, Steamboat, CO
- Therapeutic Adventures, Charlottesville, VA
- Three Rivers Rowing Association, Pittsburgh, PA
Recognition levels are valid through the end of the quadrennial, but clubs have the option to move up the following year.
For a complete list of clubs participating in the excellence program and their level, click here.
Participation is open and voluntary to all Paralympic Sport Clubs. All participating clubs must start at the bronze level before moving to the silver and gold levels.
For more information, contact Joan Joyce, Paralympic Sport Washington DC at 202-877-1420 or joan.p.joyce@medstar.net, or Beth Bourgeois, U.S. Paralympics, at 719-866-2039.
Our website: www.medstarnrh.org/sports
About U.S. Paralympics
U.S. Paralympics, a division of the USOC, is dedicated to becoming the world leader in the Paralympic sports movement and to promoting excellence in the lives of persons with physical disabilities. Visit the U.S. Paralympics Web site at www.usparalympics.org.
About MedStar National Rehabilitation Network
The MedStar National Rehabilitation Network is a regional system of rehabilitation care that offers inpatient, day treatment and outpatient services in Washington, D.C., Maryland, Northern Virginia and Delaware.
The Network’s interdisciplinary team of rehabilitation experts provides comprehensive services to help people recover as fully as possible following illness and injury. Rehabilitation medicine specialists, psychologists, physical and occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists work hand-in-hand with other rehab professionals to design treatment plans tailored to each patient’s unique needs. Rehabilitation plans feature a team approach and include the use of state-of-the-art technology and advanced medical treatment based on the latest rehabilitation research.
The Network provides comprehensive programs specifically designed to aid in the rehabilitation of adults and children recovering from neurologic and orthopaedic conditions such as amputation, arthritis, back and neck pain, brain injury, cancer, cardiac conditions, concussion, fibromyalgia, foot and ankle disorders, hand and upper extremity problems, MS, Parkinson’s, post-polio syndrome, stroke, spinal cord injury and disease, and sports and work-related injuries.
Inpatient and day treatment programs are provided at MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital located in Northwest Washington, D.C., and at more than 50 outpatient sites conveniently located throughout D.C., Baltimore, and all of Maryland, Northern Virginia, & Delaware. MedStar National Rehabilitation Network is fully accredited by The Joint Commission, the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), with CARF accredited specialty programs for Amputations, Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury and Stroke.
For more on MedStar National Rehabilitation Network and to find a location near you, log on to MedStarNRH.org