Catholic Health has partnered with Olympic gold medalist Katie Ledecky on a new initiative that will see the 21-time world champion help the health care system spread the word about preventive wellness strategies.

The program, "Optimizing Your Health for Greater Performance," will be rolled out through videos and print material featuring Ledecky, with plans for in-person engagements this fall, said Dr. Patrick O'Shaughnessy, president and CEO of Catholic Health. Ledecky, who has been named Catholic Health's health & wellness ambassador, fits into the hospital's broader strategy to focus on preventive and proactive health care.

"Taking care of your health is one of the most powerful things you can do for yourself and for those who matter most," said Ledecky in a statement to Newsday. "Consistency, prevention and a commitment to healthy habits are the values that guide my approach to wellness, and are the same ones I see reflected in Catholic Health’s dedication to Long Islanders. ... I’m proud to help lead this effort to make proactive health a priority for everyone."

O'Shaughnessy said Catholic Health wanted to create customized care plans for patients that kept them healthier and caught disease earlier.

"We both have a long-standing passion around health, wellness and prevention," O'Shaughnessy said, noting that he connected with Ledecky, whose uncle John Ledecky co-owns the Islanders, through media outreach.

"I'm very, very passionate that our health system not only provides the very best in disease based care, but I'm really trying to pivot Catholic Health — and health care in general — to be more proactive and preventive and focus on things that each and every one of us can do," he said.

The program targets everyone, O'Shaughnessy said, from teens to senior citizens.

"So many people know their credit score or something about their finances, but they don't know their hemoglobin A1c, they don't know the right tests for cholesterol," he said. The program will also educate patients on getting screened for cancer, cardiovascular disease and autoimmune disorders.

"Optimizing Your Health for Greater Performance," featuring Ledecky, is free to view here.