Foundation Employee Katie Williams Represents Indiana at Special Olympics

 

Katie Williams has been an employee of The MedicalFoundation for almost a year now, helping blood donors in the post donation room with juice and refreshments. She outgoing, she’s helpful and she’s a gold medal winner.

Katie participates in the Special Olympics and earned gold in swimming in the Special Olympics during the World Games in Greece.  This week, she will be representing Indiana at the Special Olympics in Princeton, New Jersey when she swims in the Freestyle and Backstroke events.

“My goal is to come back with a medal.  If I come back with a gold it will definitely change my life,” said Katie.

She talked about her coach, Nathan Piwowar, who has helped her excel and his guidance has meant the world to her.  He’s stood by her and encouraged her to do her best, which is exactly what she’ll do when she hits the water this week.

Katie, 35, has spent this year balancing practices with her work at the Foundation.  She wants to do it all!  She practices at Knollwood Country Club or the University of Notre Dame for about an hour, five nights a week. Tuesday and Thursdays she spends about five hours during the day helping blood donors. 

“Katie’s so eager to learn new things.  She likes to stay busy and likes the interaction with our donors,” said Laura Broadstreet, Manager of Blood Donor Services at The Medical Foundation.

If you’ve ever seen her perform her job at the Foundation, you know she’s happy to be there.

“I love the people.  The staff gives me a great opportunity and I love being around professional people.  I call it my happy place,” said Katie.

And this week, her co-workers are being her, rooting for Katie to achieve another gold medal. But even if she doesn’t, Katie is, “excited to see my old friends from Greece and I’ll be representing the State of Indiana on a very high note.  It’s like living the dream,” she said.

If you would like to tune in to watch the Special Olympics, Fox Sports Network is the sponsor and will be conducting interviews and showing various competitions on their station throughout the week.