Dr. Matthew B. McDonald III, president and chief executive officer of Children’s Specialized Hospital, part of the Children’s Health network at RWJBarnabas Health, has been named chair of the board of trustees for Special Olympics New Jersey.
McDonald has long supported Special Olympics New Jersey’s (SONJ) mission to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy. Since 2021, he has served as a member of SONJ’s board of trustees, most recently as secretary of the board.
“Throughout my career, I have seen firsthand the power of inclusion, confidence, and community for children and adults living with unique health care challenges,” said McDonald. “Special Olympics embodies those values every day and I am proud to work with an organization that transforms lives through sport, health and belonging.”
McDonald will serve to advance the organization’s strategic initiatives to improve sports and wellness experiences to strengthen participation in communities across New Jersey in addition to fostering an environment that commits to the promotion of diverse, inclusive and equitable reach.
“Dr. McDonald’s longstanding commitment to children with complex health needs aligns seamlessly with our mission to empower individuals with intellectual abilities,” said Heather Andersen, president and chief executive officer, Special Olympics New Jersey. “His perspective as a pediatrician and health-care executive strengthens our ability to advocate for inclusive health, wellness, and life-changing opportunities for every athlete we serve.”
Serving over 47,000 patients with unique health challenges annually and employing over 1,700 people across 14 New Jersey locations in addition to a partnership with Rady Children’s Hospital in California, McDonald has helped make Children’s Specialized Hospital as a national leader in pediatric rehabilitative and specialty medical care. Additionally, through a joint venture with Children’s Specialized ABA, he has worked to expand access to autism care throughout the state and beyond.
As CEO, McDonald’s recent accomplishments include the implementation of a $90 million three-year strategic plan focused on ambulatory expansion, improved outcomes and enhanced research, and creation of programs and key partnerships meant to ensure all children have access to key services so they can reach their full potential.
Special Olympics in New Jersey has its origins with The School for the Deaf in Trenton, which started sports programming for individuals with intellectual disabilities at the Johnstone Training Center in the late 1960s. Formal programming in New Jersey began in 1969, when six participants from the Bayonne Recreation Department and 12 participants from the E.R. Johnstone Training Center in Bordentown, represented New Jersey at the Eastern Regional Special Olympics at the University of Maryland.
Special Olympics New Jersey provides sports training and competition opportunities in 20 sports, along with health screenings, fitness programs, athlete leadership and Unified Program initiatives to 26,000 athletes in New Jersey.
