Cleveland Clinic Launches Pioneering Center for Female Athletes’ Health and Performance
CLEVELAND — In a groundbreaking move for women’s sports, the Cleveland Clinic has unveiled the Women’s Integrated Sports, Exercise and Research (WISER) center, aimed at optimizing the health, performance, and overall well-being of female athletes. This pioneering initiative marks the first comprehensive center to adopt an integrated care model specifically designed to meet the multifaceted needs of women in sports.
As participation in sports continues to rise dramatically among women—44% of NCAA athletes are now female—experts recognize a pressing requirement for tailored approaches that address gender-specific concerns. “Most sports medicine research and guidance have traditionally focused on men, leaving gaps in understanding women’s training, performance, recovery, and long-term well-being,” said Dr. Tamanna Singh, co-director of WISER and director of the Sports Cardiology Center at Cleveland Clinic. “With the rapid growth in female athlete representation, it is critical to provide multidisciplinary and gender-specific care.”
WISER takes an athlete-centered approach to healthcare, ensuring that female athletes receive comprehensive support in multiple areas. By employing a multidisciplinary team that includes sports medicine specialists, orthopedists, social workers, sports cardiologists, gynecologists, and psychologists, the center aims to tackle the various aspects of health affecting women athletes. The Athlete Support Team will facilitate a confidential and holistic model that mediates four clinical care paths.
“Integrated care is the missing link to performance and health optimization for active women as their relationship with athletics evolves,” said Barb Anthony, MSSA, LISW-S, WISER’s Clinical Lead of Athlete Support. “Health is intersectional; it encompasses medical, social, emotional, and environmental considerations. Peak performance and optimal health can be achieved when athletes feel safe, healthy, and supported.”
The work conducted at WISER will encompass numerous areas critical to female athletes. Stakeholders will assess access to care and identify barriers, set personalized performance goals, and support recovery by rebuilding strength and endurance after injuries. Additionally, comprehensive risk assessments for heart conditions and reproductive health issues will be addressed, including menstrual cycle management and hormone-related concerns.
Dr. Marie Schaefer, co-director of WISER and a primary care sports medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic, stresses the urgency of understanding the unique health needs of female athletes as participation rates soar. “With the growth of women and girls in sports comes a responsibility to ensure that research, resources, and clinical care evolve simultaneously. We must support their safe competition at the highest potential.”
The center’s commitment to advancing female-focused research and improving access to healthcare will play a vital role in furthering the understanding of women’s health in the sporting arena. By focusing on injuries, nutrition, and mental health—crucial elements in athletic performance—the center is poised to become a leader in female sports medicine.
WISER also reinforces the importance of mental health, an often-overlooked aspect of athletic performance. The inclusion of mental health professionals as part of the care team highlights the clinic’s holistic approach, acknowledging that an athlete’s psychological well-being can significantly impact performance.
Individuals interested in WISER’s services can make appointments by calling 216-444-9133 or through email at wiser@ccf.org.
In a rapidly evolving sports landscape, the introduction of the WISER center represents not just an innovation in care but also a cultural shift towards inclusivity in athletics. As female representation in sports continues to rise, the ramifications of WISER’s comprehensive model could spark similar initiatives across the nation and potentially worldwide, emphasizing that health care should be responsive to the unique needs of all athletes. The future of women’s athletics is brighter with such robust support systems, paving the way for even greater achievements in sports.
