Jeff Collins Earns the 2025 Golisano Health Leadership Award Presented by Special Olympics New York
Award Marks Highest Honor for Health Partners
Albany, NY – Special Olympics New York is proud to present the 2025 Golisano Health Leadership Award to Jeff Collins, Executive Director of the Upstate New York Chapter of the American Diabetes Association.
Jeff has been involved with Special Olympics NY for more than 10 years, beginning in 2015 when he was instrumental in bringing State Summer Games to Brockport. He served as a member of the volunteer subcommittee for those games, then returned once again this year for State Winter Games in Rochester. Jeff also helped recruit volunteers in Brockport, as well as coordinating housing and food for all athletes and coaches.
Beyond State Games, Jeff also spearheaded several initiatives to combat diabetes for people with intellectual disabilities, who are three to five times more likely to develop the disease. He helped design a Virtual Health & Wellness Forum about diabetes, helped form a committee on diabetes prevention, and coordinated an ADA informational table at last year’s State Summer Games. In addition, Jeff contributed to the Special Olympics NY Diabetes Education Lessons pilot program, which shares ADA resources and data to prevent and manage diabetes.
“From his work on Summer Games 10 years ago to his continued dedication to diabetes prevention today, Jeff has been with our athletes every step of the way,” said Stacey Hengsterman, President and CEO of Special Olympics NY. “His support is invaluable to our movement.”
The Golisano Health Leadership Award recognizes health champions who make significant contributions to equal access to health, fitness, or wellness for people with intellectual disabilities. The award also promotes awareness for the progress and extraordinary efforts toward fulfilling the goals, values, and mission of Special Olympics Health work. This is the highest Special Olympics honor for health partners.
“Receiving the Golisano Health Leadership Award from Special Olympics NY is an incredible honor,” said Jeff. “Working with Special Olympics has been a wonderful and rewarding experience, and I am grateful for the opportunity to support all of the amazing athletes over the years.”
“Jeff has played an integral role in addressing health disparities for people with disabilities,” said Erica Dayton, Executive Director of the Golisano Foundation. “We congratulate him on this well-deserved recognition and look forward to more great work from him in the future.”
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About the Golisano Foundation
The Golisano Foundation is one of the largest private foundations in the U.S. dedicated to making the world a better place for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Foundation is devoted to opening doors to opportunity, changing negative perceptions and stereotypes, and forging unprecedented partnerships to ensure individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities have pathways to personal dignity, independence, and the best possible expression of their abilities and talents throughout their lifetimes. Founded in 1985 by Tom Golisano—entrepreneur, philanthropist, civic leader, and founder of Paychex, Inc.—the Foundation “imagines the possibilities,” advocating for families, fighting for their dignity, and giving people with IDD the opportunity to thrive in their communities. With more than $120 million in gross assets, it awards about $5 million annually to non-profit organizations in Western New York and Southwest Florida.
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