UNC Sports Medicine Institute

05/22/2026

👏 Teamwork in action to support our local student‑athletes!
Thank you to providers from Orthopaedics, UNC Family Medicine, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and UNC Therapy Services and UNC School of Medicine students for providing sports physicals for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools students. This kind of collaboration helps ensure student‑athletes are ready for a safe and successful season, and reflects the strength of our multidisciplinary team.
UNC Health

05/16/2026

We’re fortunate to have Dr. Smith-Ryan on our team!

professor Abbie Smith-Ryan is partnering with the U.S. Soccer Foundation on a transformative project to improve the athletic ecosystem for girls and women.

A professor in the department of exercise and sport science, Smith-Ryan studies the junction between exercise physiology and sports nutrition, with a passion for applying these insights to women's health. Her work with Soccer Forward, in partnership with the Kang Women's Institute, aims to develop best practice frameworks for tracking and applying female health and performance data in girls' and women's soccer.

“Bridging the gap between research and real-world application is critical,” Smith-Ryan said. “This study is designed to evaluate practical tools that teams are already using combined with lab-based techniques, in order to directly translate and support female health tracking in real time."

https://go.unc.edu/a8X6B

05/15/2026

From the clinic to the backcountry 🩺🌄 Wilderness medicine requires adaptability, critical thinking, and preparation beyond traditional clinical settings.

Our Wilderness Medicine Program leaders Todd Williams, PA-C, and Stephen Scott, DNP, RN presented at UNC’s May Day Trauma Conference on program development and clinical application.

Visit our website to learn more about how we’re preparing providers for care in any environment: https://go.unc.edu/wildernessmed
UNC Health UNC School of Medicine

05/12/2026

Strong core = better quality of life.
In a recent Talk article, Dr. Garzone explains why building core strength is important! Your core includes your abdominals, back, diaphragm, and pelvic floor muscles. When these muscles work together, you move more efficiently and feel better doing everyday activities. Read more: https://healthtalk.unchealthcare.org/your-core-is-the-key-to-feeling-and-moving-better/

Looking for personalized guidance? Dr. Garzone recommends working with a physical therapist or certified personal trainer for individualized instruction and support. offers these throughout the triangle area.
Find one close to you:
Physical Therapy at UNC Therapy Services - https://www.unchealth.org/care-services/areas-of-care/rehabilitation-therapy
Personal Trainers at UNC Wellness Centers - https://uncwellness.com/ and https://www.rexhealth.com/rh/wellness-centers/

05/08/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Hana Marmura, MPT, PhD, recipient of this year’s SMI Research Excellence Award! Dr. Marmura was recognized for her impactful research examining psychological and physical readiness profiles for return to sport following ACL reconstruction (ACLR), work that advances evidence‑based care for athletes recovering from injury and surgery. She will be presenting this research later this month at the 2026 American College of Sports Medicine Annual Conference.

Dr. Marmura is a postdoctoral research fellow in the UNC Psychology of Sport Injury Laboratory, led by Dr. Shelby Baez. Learn more about the lab: https://www.shelbybaez.com/psychology-of-sport-injury-laboratory
UNC EXSS UNITE!

05/07/2026

Congratulations to School of Medicine Orthopaedic faculty on their outstanding contributions to the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine leadership and the recent Annual Meeting!

Your expertise and national leadership continue to elevate the field of sports medicine nationally and patient care at UNC Health. 👏

03/23/2026

Should you push through pain or listen to your body?🩺This UNC Health Talk article explores when “playing through pain” may help, and when it can put athletes at risk. A must‑read for athletes, parents, and sports medicine professionals alike.

If you want individualized assessment, advice, and treatment as you deal with pain or injury, make an appointment to see one of our sports medicine providers or physical therapists!

Elite athletes compete injured, but mere mortals need to take care.

03/21/2026

Stay at the forefront of sports medicine! 🏃‍♂️🩺
We have 3 upcoming professional education events designed for sports medicine providers and researchers. They focus on sharing the latest research and its real‑world application. Don’t miss these opportunities to learn, connect, and grow!
UNC EXSS UNITE! Motion Science Institute at UNC Chapel Hill UNC Therapy Services UNC School of Medicine UNC Health UNC Department of Health Sciences UNC Division of Physical Therapy

03/20/2026

Congratulations to Drs. Berkoff, Garzone, and Summerville, who recently traveled to Africa to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and collect valuable data on the physiological effects of physical exertion at high altitude. An incredible blend of research, resilience, and adventure!

02/23/2026

Great news, triangle cyclists! 🚴‍♀️ UNC Therapy Services now offers medical-based bike fitting with by orthopedic PT clinical specialist and certified bike fitter Evan Adler.

Whether you’re recovering from injury or training for your next adventure, a PT‑led bike fit ensures your setup matches your body to improve your ride experience and reduce risk of (re)injury. Learn more and schedule your session today!

As the temperature starts to warm up, it is time to break out those bikes and get ready to put in some miles on the road or on the trails.

UNC Therapy Services is proud to announce a new service :

Medical Based Bike Fitting!!!

By optimizing the fit of your bike, we can enhance your comfort on the bike and improve your efficiency for a pain-free ride. The fit will be done by a Physical Therapist who is a Certified Bike Fitter!

Call us at the UNC Wellness Center at NW Cary at 984-974-6083 (option #1 for front desk) to schedule!

02/04/2026

Today on National Girls & Women in Sports Day, we’re proud to share this article on ACL injury prevention in female athletes, which highlights two of our sports physical therapy specialists, Deidra Charity (UNC Division of Physical Therapy) and Catherine Duncan (UNC Therapy Services). Female athletes experience ACL injuries at higher rates, and Deidra and Catherine break down evidence‑based strategies to help protect athletes and keep them performing at their best.
UNC Wellness Centers

Strength training and drills can help reduce the risk.