Olympic Gold Medalist Katie Ledecky Inspires Students at Catholic Health Planetarium

Catholic Health welcomed nine-time Olympic gold medalist and 23-time World Champion swimmer Katie Ledecky to the Catholic Health Sky Theater Planetarium at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City, where she spoke with approximately 250 Catholic middle and high school students about goal setting, resilience and the importance of health and wellness. 

The event, hosted in collaboration with the Cradle of Aviation, featured an interactive fireside chat between Ms. Ledecky and Patrick M. O’Shaughnessy, DO, MBA, president and CEO of Catholic Health, as part of the health system’s ongoing partnership with the Olympian, who serves as Health & Wellness Ambassador at Catholic Health.

“As a student-athlete, you’re not just training your body, you’re training your mindset,” said Ms. Ledecky. “Strong habits, consistency and support from people you trust make all the difference. I’ve learned that health is the foundation for success in sports, school and life. It’s been inspiring to share that message with students here on Long Island through my work with Catholic Health.”

Following the chat, students participated in STEM workshops connecting science, technology, engineering and math concepts to health care and wellness, reinforcing the event’s theme of performance through knowledge, faith and perseverance.

“Katie embodies the discipline, humility and purpose that we reflect in our care and hope to cultivate in young people across Long Island,” said Dr. O’Shaughnessy. “She shares Catholic Health’s longstanding belief that preventive care, self-awareness and persistence are key to lifelong health, and we’re honored to extend our partnerships with both Katie and the Cradle of Aviation to share that message with our youth.”

The event builds on Catholic Health’s Optimizing Your Health for Greater Performance campaign launched earlier this year, which encourages individuals to embrace proactive, preventive health strategies. Catholic Health’s model of personalized, relationship-driven care empowers patients to optimize their physical and mental well-being through programs focused on nutrition, sleep, stress management and chronic disease prevention.

To learn more about Ms. Ledecky’s partnership with Catholic Health and what it means to prioritize your well-being: www.catholichealthli.org/katieledecky