Point32Health, the Official Health Insurance Partner of Special Olympics Massachusetts, continues to champion athlete wellness through its Healthy Hero recognition. This award celebrates athletes who exemplify the connection between health, sport, and inclusion.
Dee Cotter, a standout Special Olympics Massachusetts athlete and advocate from Cape Cod’s LIFE program, has competed in track and field, soccer, and basketball at the highest levels in the state. She also represented Massachusetts at the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games in Orlando, where she earned gold in the 400 meter and silver in both the javelin and the 4x100 meter relay.
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Her success on the field is matched by her leadership off it. As an Inclusion Ambassador for Special Olympics Massachusetts, Dee shares her story and promotes the importance of physical and mental wellness. One of the most notable ways Dee has been able to combine her advocacy with fitness has been through the Final Leg—which she first joined in 2024 and found the experience so meaningful that she returned in 2025!
The Final Leg is a statewide journey where law enforcement officers and Special Olympics athletes carry the Flame of Hope to the Opening Ceremonies of the Summer Games at Harvard University. Throughout the week, the team stops at various locations throughout the state to promote inclusion and spread the mission of Special Olympics, allowing law enforcement officers and athletes to connect with various partners and supporters along the way.
As always, Dee brought energy, positivity, and purpose to every stop on the Final Leg this year. Her voice and leadership left a lasting impression on her teammates, officers, and the communities they visited.
One of the most memorable moments of the 2025 Final Leg week came during the team’s visit to Point32Health headquarters. Dee was invited to speak to staff from Point32Health and Tufts Health Plan, sharing her story and the impact Special Olympics has had on her life.
What Dee did not know was that just moments later, she would be presented with the Healthy Heros award by Katie Catlender, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Point32Health.
Athletes like Dee lead the way not just through sports, but through the example they set as advocates and teammates. Her recognition reflects Point32Health’s commitment to celebrating athletes' voices and advancing inclusive wellness.
Inclusive health content is sponsored by Tufts Health Plan, the Official Health Insurance Partner of Special Olympics Massachusetts. Tufts Health Plan and Special Olympics Massachusetts are dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles through resources that support individuals with and without intellectual disabilities. To learn more about Tufts Health One Care, a health plan for those with disabilities who have Medicare and Medicaid, visit TuftsHealthPlan.com/SOMA
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