Learn about the UCSF Women's Sports Medicine Center, the first and only women’s sports medicine center in the Bay Area and on the West Coast, providing comprehensive inclusive orthopaedic care to women and girl athletes of all abilities and levels. (Video: UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery)
SAN FRANCISCO (Oct. 12, 2023) – The UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery is delighted to announce a $2,505,250 gift from Jack Dorsey’s philanthropic initiative #startsmall to enhance the mission of the UCSF Women’s Sports Medicine Center to deliver comprehensive and inclusive orthopedic care to female athletes of all abilities and levels along the West Coast. It’s the largest gift the Center has received.
"#startsmall's commitment to empowering our center marks a transformative impact to our program," said Dr. Sara Edwards, Director of the UCSF Women’s Sports Medicine Center. "This will enable the Center to not only provide specialized care to female athletes but also to address historical barriers to orthopaedic health for this underserved group."
Serving San Francisco, Marin, East Bay and Peninsula, the UCSF Women's Sports Medicine Center stands as a pioneering institution committed to musculoskeletal discovery, education, and innovative care. (Courtesy Photo)
While female participation in sports has increased significantly over the past 50 years, resulting in tremendous health benefits, significant barriers still exist which prevent women and girls from fully optimizing health and wellness. These barriers include limited orthopedic and sports medicine literature focusing on female athletes and a lack of access to high quality care and opportunities for female athletes in lower income communities, among many others.
#startsmall’s investment in the Center enables UCSF to address these disparities by building a specialty clinic for female athletes, supporting research that addresses gender differences in orthopaedics and sports medicine, and providing community education programs that help local female athletes stay active and healthy.
"As we look ahead, beyond the pandemic, to prioritize women’s health and education, we are deeply grateful for #startsmall's visionary support," Dr. Edwards added. "Together, we can build a healthier environment, where every girl has the opportunity to thrive."
Dr. Elly La Roque, above, examines a student athlete at the Orthopaedic Institute in San Francisco. The UCSF Women’s Sports Medicine Center serves women and girls throughout the Bay Area. (Photo: UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery)
The Center currently offers surgical and nonsurgical orthopedic care, injury prevention guidance, and safe return-to-play solutions. Patients receive personalized analysis of their sports performance, access to experts in sports nutrition, sports psychology, athletic training, and physical therapy, in addition to the specialized services provided by the UCSF Human Performance Center and the UCSF Sports Medicine Center for Young Athletes.
“#startsmall's generous gift emphasizes its commitment to promoting the health and well-being of women and girl athletes in the Bay Area and beyond,” said Dr. Brian Feeley, chief of the UCSF Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service. “It will enable our center to extend its reach and impact to even more athletes and individuals seeking world-class orthopaedic care.”
#startsmall is Jack Dorsey’s philanthropic initiative to fund global crisis relief, girls health and education, and open internet development. Dorsey transferred $1 billion (28% of his wealth) to #startsmall in 2020.
Locations
UCSF Women's Sports Medicine Center - Orthopedic Institute
1500 Owens St., Second Floor, San Francisco, CA 94158 (Map)
UCSF Women's Sports Medicine Center - Berkeley Outpatient Center
3100 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley, CA 94702 (Map)
UCSF Women's Sports Medicine Center- Redwood Shores Specialty Care Clinic
290 Redwood Shores Parkway, Redwood City, CA 94065 (Map)
All appointments: 415-353-2808
Our Team
Dr. Sara Edwards, MD - Director: Dr. Sara Edwards is an orthopaedic surgeon with a subspecialty in Sports Medicine and Shoulder. Her extensive experience includes serving as a team physician for various institutions, including City College of San Francisco, the University of San Francisco, and the Oakland Ballet.
Dr. Stephanie Wong, MD - Co-Director: Dr. Stephanie Wong is an orthopaedic surgeon with subspecialty training in sports medicine and hip arthroscopy. She specializes in the arthroscopic treatment of hip, shoulder, and knee injuries, and is a leader in the UCSF Hip Preservation Center.
Dr. Carlin Senter, MD: Dr. Carlin Senter is the Chief of Primary Care Sports Medicine at UCSF. She focuses on helping patients of all ages stay active, reduce injury risk, and achieve peak performance. Her expertise includes exercise counseling and prescription as well as treating sports concussion
Dr. Elly La Roque, MD: Dr. Elly La Roque is an orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in sports medicine and treats all types of athletic injuries. She is Chief of the Orthopaedic Service at UCSF Redwood Shores Specialty Clinic. She also currently serves as the team physician for Academy of Art University and Junipero Serra High School.