The Sports Institute

About Us

We work to make sports safer and get more people on the ﬁeld, in the game and to the ﬁnish line.

Who We Are

The Sports Institute at UW Medicine works to expand participation and safety in sports. Since its founding, The Sports Institute has led first-of-its-kind efforts to legislate safe return to play across all 50 states and to advance best practices in sports safety. Based in Seattle, The Sports Institute partners across sectors and convenes experts, evidence-based approaches and research to encourage play and to make sports safer. The Sports Institute is a proud member of the UW Medicine community, one of the world’s leading centers for patient care, medical education and research.

How We Make an Impact

Our work builds a positive cycle of physical activity. By promoting the beneﬁts of movement and working to make the sports and activities we love safer, we develop a community of lifelong athletes.

Four Tactics Guide Our Work

Research

We advance knowledge and uncover best practices for physical activity and safer athletic participation.

Innovation

We drive the development of new methodologies and technologies across ﬁtness disciplines.

Education

We collaborate on scientific guidelines and increase access to proven, actionable research.

Advocacy

We seek and promote opportunities to expand sports safety and participation.

Check out our work

Our Team

Institute Leadership

Samuel R. Browd, M.D., Ph.D.

Director

Dr. Browd, M.D., Ph.D., FACS, FAANS, FAAP is professor of neurological surgery at the University of Washington and attending neurosurgeon at Seattle Children’s Hospital

Stanley A. Herring, M.D.

Senior Medical Advisor, Co-Founder

Dr. Herring is a UW clinical professor in the Departments of Rehabilitation Medicine, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, and Neurological Surgery.

Christine Mac Donald, Ph.D.

Research Director

Dr. Mac Donald is an associate professor of neurological surgery at the UW and holds the James and Gaye Pigott Sports Health and Safety Endowed Chair.

Sara Mosiman, MBA

Associate Director

Sara Mosiman joined the Institute in 2018, where she leads strategy and operations. As a former athlete, she is dedicated to the value of sports participation.

Cindy Lin, M.D.

Assistant Director of Clinical Innovation

Dr. Lin is a UW Clinical Associate Professor in Sports and Spine Medicine in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, and is a sports medicine physician.

Karla Landis, M.S.

Program Manager

Karla Landis joined The Sports Institute in 2019 as Head of Operations. Karla believes in building a healthier, more active community through new program development and innovations.

Kelsey Wilson

Program Coordinator

Kelsey Wilson joined the Institute in April 2018 and brings with her experience in the sports industry. She holds a degree in community psychology from the University of Washington.

Melanie Rice, M.A.

Research Coordinator

Ms. Rice joined the Institute in March 2019, where she coordinates research activities under the direction of Dr. Christine Mac Donald. She holds an MA in Psychology from Antioch University Seattle.

Sara Chrisman, M.D., MPH

Assistant Director of Community Outreach

Dr. Chrisman is a pediatrician, Adolescent Medicine specialist, and physician scientist. Her work is focused on sports-related concussion, with the goal of making sports safer for youth.

Christa Farmer

Director for Philanthropy

Christa is the director for philanthropy for The Sports Institute. She brings over 11 years of development experience to UW Medicine.

Colin Nelson

Editorial Director

Colin Nelson joined the Institute and the faculty of the Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of Washington in January 2016.

More About The Sports Institute

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