Katie Ledecky joins Catholic Health wellness campaign

Catholic Health has a new health and wellness ambassador: Olympic champion Katie Ledecky.

The nine-time Olympic gold medalist and 21-time world champion swimmer is teaming up with Catholic Health to launch “Optimizing Your Health for Greater Performance,” the health system’s new public education campaign. Ledecky is embarking on the campaign as she trains for the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore and eyes the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Catholic Health’s initiative encourages those on Long Island and beyond to “unlock their full physical and mental potential by embracing personalized/preventive wellness strategies fostered by strong relationships with health care providers,” according to a news release about the campaign.

“Your health is your foundation – whether you’re a student-athlete, a parent or simply someone focused on staying well,” Ledecky said in the news release.

“For me, strong habits, consistency and a trusted care team have been essential,” she added. “As Health & Wellness ambassador at Catholic Health, I’m proud to help lead this effort toward health consciousness by sharing the tools and strategies that have shaped my personal approach to health. It’s especially meaningful to be doing so on Long Island, a place I’ve come to know well through many years of family visits.”

The campaign will roll out across digital, broadcast and in-person platforms, featuring videos, educational content and community outreach that bring practical steps for improving health. Ledecky’s role is to provide guidance for athletes, students, families and anyone seeking healthy lifestyles.

The preventative-care model applies integrative medicine principles to shift care from reactive treatments toward long-term strategies that minimize emergency interventions and promote sustainable health outcomes.

“Katie’s discipline, resilience and commitment are a powerful example of how personalized, proactive care can fuel performance, longevity and overall well-being,” Dr.  Patrick M. O’Shaughnessy, president and CEO of Catholic Health, said in the news release.

“Her journey underscores the value of preventive care, not just in elite athletics, but in everyday life,” he added. “Through our partnership, we hope to inspire individuals across Long Island to take charge of their health. Bending the disease curve starts with staying ahead of illness and empowering people to live healthier, fuller lives. That’s how Katie wins gold – and how we can all strive to be our personal best.”

The health system’s preventive care services include regular health screenings, weight loss and nutrition services, pain management, sleep optimization services, chronic disease prevention and management, and more. These services, all of which are personalized to each patient’s unique needs, are accessible across the Catholic Health system and at the Catholic Health Center for Integrative Medicine and Optimal Health, a dedicated facility designed to help guide patients toward health optimization.