University Hospitals Cleveland has launched a Specialized Care for Female Athletes program at its Drusinsky Sports Medicine Institute. The program, which officially began on April 20, 2026, marks a significant development in sports medicine. Focused on addressing the distinct healthcare needs of female athletes, this initiative brings together a multidisciplinary team of experts dedicated to improving performance and overall health for women in sports.
The program is set to advance the medical field by offering coordinated care that is informed by years of research into the physiological, hormonal, and psychological needs of female athletes. Historically, most sports medicine research and treatment protocols have been centered on male athletes, leaving gaps in knowledge and healthcare provision for women. Dr. James Voos, Chair of Orthopedic Surgery at University Hospitals, leads this comprehensive program, which is designed to help athletes of all ages and skill levels avoid injuries, optimize performance, and address key health issues such as the female athlete triad—a condition linked to low energy availability, menstrual dysfunction, and low bone mineral density.
Comprehensive Healthcare for Female Athletes
The new program integrates healthcare from multiple specialties, allowing female athletes to receive coordinated care from a team of orthopedic surgeons, sports cardiologists, endocrinologists, and OB-GYNs. By combining these disciplines, the program ensures that all aspects of an athlete’s health are addressed in a comprehensive and efficient manner. Rather than treating symptoms in isolation, the multidisciplinary team works together to develop personalized treatment plans that focus on preventing injuries, managing hormonal health, and supporting mental well-being.
One of the central elements of the program is its focus on injury prevention. Research has shown that female athletes are at a higher risk for certain injuries, particularly ACL tears and stress fractures. Studies have found that female athletes are up to eight times more likely to suffer from an ACL tear than their male counterparts due to factors such as hormonal fluctuations and anatomical differences. The program addresses these concerns by offering personalized strength training programs tailored to female biomechanics and injury prevention screenings to identify early signs of potential injury.
Hormonal Health and Injury Prevention at the Forefront
Hormonal health is another critical area of focus for the program. Female athletes face unique challenges in balancing training demands with hormonal fluctuations that occur throughout their menstrual cycles. These fluctuations can impact performance, recovery, and overall well-being. The new program offers hormonal management guidance, helping athletes align their training loads with their hormonal cycles to minimize disruptions and enhance performance. The program also provides support for athletes dealing with menstrual dysfunction, which is common in high-performance female athletes but often underreported.
The pelvic floor is another area that is frequently overlooked in female athlete healthcare. Issues such as urinary leakage and pelvic dysfunction are common but underreported in women engaged in high-impact sports. The program’s inclusion of specialized pelvic floor physical therapy ensures that these concerns are addressed, improving the quality of life for athletes at all stages of their careers.
The program offers cardiovascular screenings tailored to female athletes, ensuring that their heart health is monitored as they push their bodies to the limit. Gender-specific nutritional strategies are also a key component of the program, designed to optimize athletic performance while ensuring that long-term health is not compromised.
Lifelong Support for Female Athletes at Every Stage
The Specialized Care for Female Athletes program is not limited to elite athletes; it is designed to support women at every stage of their lives, from childhood to post-menopause. University Hospitals has created a cradle-to-lifelong approach to athlete health that supports young female athletes, collegiate players, and older athletes as their physical needs change over time.
In collaboration with local organizations such as T3 Performance, University Hospitals offers specialized performance classes for youth athletes. These classes focus on teaching proper technique, promoting metabolic health, and preventing injuries early on. As athletes age, their healthcare needs evolve. For older athletes, particularly those in the post-menopausal stage, the program provides specialized care to manage changes in bone density, joint health, and hormonal health.
For postpartum athletes, the program offers unique support to help them safely return to sport after childbirth. The focus is on restoring physical function and preventing injuries that can arise as the body recovers and adapts. This level of care ensures that women can maintain an active lifestyle regardless of their age or stage in life.
Cleveland Becomes a Leader in Female-Specific Sports Medicine
The Specialized Care for Female Athletes program at University Hospitals Cleveland is part of a broader regional trend toward female-specific sports medicine. The program’s launch comes just weeks after Cleveland Clinic opened its Women’s Integrated Sports, Exercise, and Research (WISER) center in March 2026. These two major healthcare institutions are positioning Cleveland as a leader in sports medicine for female athletes. With both institutions now offering specialized programs, female athletes in Northeast Ohio and beyond will benefit from access to cutting-edge care and resources.
This growing emphasis on female-specific sports medicine is a positive development for women in the athletic world, providing them with the comprehensive care they need to succeed in their sports and maintain long-term health. Female athletes will no longer have to rely on generalized care that doesn’t take their unique needs into account.
