RWJBarnabas Health will be the official healthcare provider of the NWSL champion soccer club.
Behind every top professional sports team is another team – a medical team keeping the players healthy and performing at a high level. To further that support, NJ/NY Gotham FC, the reigning champions of the National Women’s Soccer League, recently announced that RWJBarnabas Health (RWJBH), the most comprehensive academic health system in New Jersey, will be the club’s official medical provider.
This multifaceted partnership reflects Gotham FC’s commitment to quality player care and aligns with RWJBH and Gotham FC’s joint mission to build healthier communities.
RWJBH will provide Gotham FC with best-in-class sports medicine and comprehensive healthcare services, and the relationship gives the club the added benefit of leveraging resources and centers of excellence across the RWJBH system.
Jason Krystofiak, MD, CAQSM, Chief of Sports Medicine at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center (CBMC), will serve as Gotham FC’s Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Krystofiak is also Medical Director of Sports Medicine at RWJBH and Medical Director of the Matthew J. Morahan III Athlete Health Evaluation Center. He currently serves as the team physician for Rutgers University Athletics and is also the team physician for Rutgers Football.
Peter DeLuca, MD, Chief of CBMC Orthopaedic Sports Medicine, will serve as the team orthopaedic surgeon in chief for Gotham FC. Dr. DeLuca is the former team physician in chief for the Philadelphia Eagles and team orthopaedic surgeon in chief for the Philadelphia Flyers, and currently serves as the team physician for the New Jersey Devils.
Both Dr. Krystofiak and Dr. DeLuca are members of the RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group.
Comprehensive care
“Care for elite athletes is very broad and requires team collaboration from top to bottom,” says Dr. Krystofiak. “Everyone has a role to play, and for athletes to perform at the highest level in the world, every aspect of their health needs to be optimized.”
Not only do injured or ill athletes need their health needs addressed appropriately, they also need to recover safely and as quickly as possible. “Optimizing all aspects of their health will enable athletes to perform at their best,” says Dr. Krystofiak.
Members of the medical team include RWJBH’s head physician as well as physiotherapists, nutritionists, athletic trainers, sports science and performance specialists, as well as a range of other medical professionals and specialists.
“Good communication between everyone on the team is essential,” DeLuca said. “Players need to get healthy to perform, and part of our role is to make sure we all know what the player is capable of doing based on the medical evaluation.”
Our affiliation with RWJBH will provide easier access to world-class experts and resources, including diagnostic imaging technologies such as MRIs and CT scans, through a single integrated health care system, leading to faster treatment.
RWJBH’s care for club players includes conducting physical exams and consultations, working with trainers and players to diagnose, communicate conditions, rehabilitation plans and prevention strategies to best support players’ fitness while enabling them to perform at their highest level on the field.
Community Involvement
Among other initiatives, RWJBH and Gotham FC will also develop meaningful community outreach and education programs to engage the local community on the importance of proper nutrition, healthy habits and preventative measures.
“As women’s professional sports continues to grow, this partnership will further support our women’s health efforts and our shared mission to build healthier communities,” said Mark E. Manigan, president and CEO of RWJBH.
The partnership between RWJBarnabas Health and Gotham FC will not only help keep the team’s players healthy and performing at their highest level, it will also promote the health of the community through measures such as education, testing, family-friendly programming and integration with youth sports.
Other highlights of the partnership include community-based programming and special events, including hospital visits, player appearances and on-site fan engagement at Red Bull Arena, Gotham FC’s home stadium, as well as health education and screenings. The partnership also includes integration with family programming and youth camps.
“Gotham FC is honored to have RWJBarnabas Health as the club’s official healthcare provider,” said Gotham FC General Manager and Head of Football Operations Yael Averbukh West. “This partnership will provide exceptional care for our world-class athletes, offering the services of renowned sports medicine experts to help them continue to perform at their best.”
“With health care at the forefront, we look forward to integrating a partnership that reaches far beyond the playing field,” said Nan Vogel, senior vice president of partnerships at Gotham FC. “Through the development of new programs, we will come together to celebrate building healthy lifestyles, provide a great patient experience, and ensure our impact is felt throughout the communities we serve.”
“It’s an incredible opportunity for RWJBH and our medical team to care for some of the world’s best female soccer players,” said Dr. Krystofiak. “These Olympic and World Cup players are incredible athletes on the field and outstanding individuals off it, and it’s an honor to be a part of their medical team.”
Learn more about RWJBarnabas Health and Gotham FC.
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