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.

Our Values

We advance our mission with a deep commitment to equity and inclusion, authenticity, positivity and hustle. We value diverse experiences and perspectives and strive to create an open, accepting and supportive culture where individuals can be their true selves. These values are foundational for how we operate internally and externally.

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, Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, and Neurological Surgery.

Christine Mac Donald, Ph.D.

Research Director

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

Cindy Lin, M.D.

Associate Director of Clinical Innovation

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

Sara Chrisman, M.D., MPH

Assistant Director of Community Outreach

Dr. Chrisman is a pediatrician, Adolescent Medicine specialist, physician scientist and Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine at UW.

Karla Landis, M.S.

Interim Associate Director

Karla Landis joined The Sports Institute in 2019 and leads program development, community outreach and advancement support.

Alex Sokoll

Communications and Marketing Specialist

Alex Sokoll is the Institute’s Communications and Marketing Specialist, responsible for initiating and implementing marketing and communications projects.

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.

David Bridges, M.S.

Business Operations Assistant

David Bridges joined the Institute in December 2019 through the Husky Fellowship program and now works on partnerships and business development as Business Operations Assistant.

Melany Smart

Husky Fellow

Melany Smart is a member of The Sports Institute’s Husky Fellowship, an internship program that offers UW student-athletes diverse experience and mentorship in the sports and fitness industry.

More About The Sports Institute

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