2025 Global Golisano Health Leadership Award Recipient from Wisconsin: Dr. Kellye Knueppel
Clinical Director, Opening Eyes – Special Olympics Wisconsin
Global Faculty Advisor
Regional Clinical Advisor – Special Olympics North America/Special Olympics Lions Clubs International Foundation Opening Eyes® Program
Dr. Kellye Knueppel has been an integral part of growing the Special Olympics Lions Clubs International Foundation Opening Eyes® discipline of Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® for over 24 years in her home state of Wisconsin, across North America, and around the world.
Since the start of the Opening Eyes screening program at Special Olympics Wisconsin in 2001, Dr. Knueppel has overseen 9,381 Opening Eyes screenings, delivered over 8,000 pairs of glasses, and trained hundreds of healthcare professionals and students in Wisconsin in addition to training Clinical Directors in other states and countries. Because of Dr. Knueppel’s expertise, dedication, and investment in Opening Eyes, Special Olympics athletes have, and continue to, receive world-class care and education. This work has improved the quality of life for athletes in big ways and small – from athletes seeing better due to new glasses, increasing their bowling averages, and improving their overall health and joy. Beyond Wisconsin, Dr. Knueppel has participated in the Opening Eyes Program at nine Special Olympics World Games over the past several years.
Dr. Knueppel’s passion for vision care coupled with her belief in the transformative power of sport have fueled the immeasurable impact and joy she’s brought athletes and healthcare professionals for several decades
Global Faculty Advisor
Regional Clinical Advisor – Special Olympics North America/Special Olympics Lions Clubs International Foundation Opening Eyes® Program
Dr. Kellye Knueppel has been an integral part of growing the Special Olympics Lions Clubs International Foundation Opening Eyes® discipline of Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® for over 24 years in her home state of Wisconsin, across North America, and around the world.
Since the start of the Opening Eyes screening program at Special Olympics Wisconsin in 2001, Dr. Knueppel has overseen 9,381 Opening Eyes screenings, delivered over 8,000 pairs of glasses, and trained hundreds of healthcare professionals and students in Wisconsin in addition to training Clinical Directors in other states and countries. Because of Dr. Knueppel’s expertise, dedication, and investment in Opening Eyes, Special Olympics athletes have, and continue to, receive world-class care and education. This work has improved the quality of life for athletes in big ways and small – from athletes seeing better due to new glasses, increasing their bowling averages, and improving their overall health and joy. Beyond Wisconsin, Dr. Knueppel has participated in the Opening Eyes Program at nine Special Olympics World Games over the past several years.
Dr. Knueppel’s passion for vision care coupled with her belief in the transformative power of sport have fueled the immeasurable impact and joy she’s brought athletes and healthcare professionals for several decades