About Us

We work to make sports and physical activity 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 legislative efforts and advanced best practices in sports safety. We distinguish ourselves by rapidly translating research into practical tools, programs, and policies that create real-world impact. Based in Seattle, The Sports Institute partners across sectors and convenes experts in medicine, technology, and community health to encourage movement and make physical activity 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 developing innovative solutions that make sports and exercise safer while promoting the benefits of movement, we’re creating a community of lifelong athletes—from professional competitors to people simply trying to move more each day.

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

Cindy Lin, M.D.

Director

Dr. Lin, MD, FACSM, FAAPM&R is a UW Clinical Professor and the first holder of the Endowed Professorship in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, as well as a sports medicine physician.

Scott Polovitch-Davis, MNPL

Associate Director

Scott serves as Associate Director at The Sports Institute, where he develops and shepherds the Institute's strategic plan, provides administrative and leadership support to staff and projects

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.

Sara Chrisman, M.D., MPH

Associate Director for Community Outreach

Dr. Chrisman is a pediatrician and professor in the Division of Adolescent Medicine in the Department of Pediatrics 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.

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

Senior Advisor, Former 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

Theresa Kehne

Research Coordinator

Theresa is the Institute’s lead Research Coordinator who helps manage and support TSI's research portfolio.

Otari Ioseliani, M.S.

Software Engineer

Otari Ioseliani joined the University of Washington in 2020 and is currently a Software Engineer at the Ubiquitous Computing Lab in the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering.

Wendy Kelley

Director for Philanthropy

As a Director for Philanthropy on the UW Medicine team, Wendy Kelley is responsible for raising support.

Tess Kadian

Administrative Assistant

Tess Kadian is an alum of The Sports Institute’s Husky Fellowship, an internship offering UW student-athletes diverse experience and mentorship