Women’s Elite Rugby League Announces Formation of New Medical Advisory Board and Partnership with Lumin Sports
New partnerships serve to elevate athlete health and safety standards
UNITED STATES – Women’s Elite Rugby (WER) is proud to announce the establishment of its inaugural Medical Advisory Board, composed of renowned specialists providing comprehensive expertise to support the league’s athletes and uphold rigorous health standards. The formation of the Medical Advisory Board underscores Women’s Elite Rugby’s unwavering commitment to athlete care and safety. Each board member’s specialized knowledge and passion for athlete welfare will shape league policies, ensuring that Women’s Elite Rugby remains at the forefront of sports medicine standards.
“We are very excited to announce our WER Medical Review Board. This is an incredibly intelligent, gifted, passionate group of medical professionals who are committed to guiding the WER in providing elite, holistic medical care to all of our athletes,” said WER Director of Performance and Athlete Wellness, Stacy Carone. “We are grateful to have this group navigating our medical policies and care to ensure our athletes a safe, competitive environment.”
A distinguished primary care sports medicine physician, Dr. Ryan Reese, DO, brings years of experience treating elite athletes. His extensive expertise spans acute and overuse musculoskeletal injuries. Known for his holistic, patient-first approach, Dr. Reese is committed to providing individualized care plans that promote both recovery and performance, making him an invaluable resource for the league’s athletes.
Director of the BRAIN Lab, Dr. Katie Hunzinger, PhD, ACSM-CEP, CPT, is a pioneer in concussion and traumatic brain injury (TBI) research, particularly within rugby. Her work investigates the long-term impacts of repetitive head trauma, and she is helping to shape concussion education and care protocols in American rugby. Dr. Hunzinger’s insights will guide the league in implementing informed strategies to protect athletes from brain injuries and mitigate long-term health risks.
A clinical psychologist specializing in the mental health needs of athletes, Dr. Amy Gooding, PsyD, offers expert guidance on issues related to eating disorders and sports psychology. With extensive experience in cognitive-behavioral therapy for adolescents and adults, she also trains sports medicine professionals in identifying and treating athletes with mental health challenges. Dr. Gooding will help foster a supportive environment for mental wellness, ensuring players have access to crucial psychological resources as they pursue high-performance careers.
Mary Swanstrom, MS, LAT, ATC, a seasoned athletic trainer with a multifaceted background in collegiate and professional sports, military performance optimization, and rugby coaching, brings hands-on experience in managing athletes’ physical health. Her extensive knowledge, coupled with certifications in various therapeutic techniques, enables her to provide exceptional preventive care and injury management. As a dedicated rugby advocate, Mary will guide best practices in training, injury prevention, and emergency response on and off the field.
A board-certified cardiologist specializing in preventive and sports cardiology, Dr. Scott Jerome, MD, has made extensive contributions to cardiac imaging and healthcare technology. With experience on the national cardiology steering committee of Epic and several medical boards, he is well-versed in the latest advancements in cardiovascular health for athletes. Dr. Jerome’s expertise will inform the league’s cardiovascular screening and monitoring programs, ensuring players maintain optimal heart health.
Founder of Blue Chip Performance, Cat Wade, MS, CSCS, SCCC, is a trailblazer in athletic performance coaching with a scientific, holistic approach. Her “24-Hour Human Eco-System” model emphasizes balanced sleep, nutrition, stress management, and training to help athletes thrive. Cat’s data-driven insights will be instrumental in designing personalized wellness programs that optimize players’ performance and longevity in the sport.
Full biographies and headshots for each Medical Advisory Board member can be found HERE.
Alongside the Medical Advisory Board, WER is thrilled to partner with Lumin Sports, a leading provider of medical software solutions, to enhance athlete health monitoring and performance management. Through Lumin Sports’ innovative technology, the league will have access to real-time data and advanced analytics, empowering medical staff to make informed decisions that prioritize player safety and optimize performance. This collaboration reflects Women’s Elite Rugby’s commitment to utilizing cutting-edge tools to support athlete wellness at every level.
“The journey that WER is on is exciting, aspirational, and so incredibly important in creating equal opportunities and empowering women and girls to pursue rugby as a profession,” said Ben Tripodi, CEO of Lumin Sports. “Also WER’s commitment to athlete wellbeing and making sure they’re looking after their players appropriately is very commendable. We’re excited to be playing our role in establishing WER as a premier competition and look forward to doing everything we can to make it an ongoing success.’’
By combining expert medical guidance with cutting-edge health technology, the league is setting new standards for player care and support, creating an environment where athletes can thrive both on and off the field. These initiatives underscore WER’s commitment to leading innovation in sports medicine and elevating the level of play for American rugby.
For more information, please contact:
Women’s Elite Rugby
inquiries@womenseliterugby.us