Teaming Up With Gotham FC

RWJBarnabas Health becomes the official health care provider for the NWSL champion soccer club.

Behind any elite professional sports team stands another team: a medical corps that keeps players healthy and performing at a high level. To strengthen that support, NJ/NY Gotham FC, the reigning National Women's Soccer League champions, recently announced that RWJBarnabas Health (RWJBH), New Jersey's most comprehensive academic health care system, will be the club's official health care provider.

The multifaceted partnership reflects Gotham FC's commitment to high-quality player care and aligns with RWJBH's and Gotham FC's joint mission to build healthier communities.

Jason Krystofiak, MD

RWJBH delivers best-in-class sports medicine and overall health care services to Gotham FC. The relationship offers the club the added advantage of harnessing resources and centers of excellence throughout the RWJBH system.

Jason Krystofiak, MD, CAQSM, Chief, Section of Sports Medicine, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center (CBMC), will serve as the chief medical officer for Gotham FC. Dr. Krystofiak is also Medical Director of Sports Medicine and Medical Director of the Matthew J. Morahan III Health Assessment Center for Athletes at RWJBH. He currently serves as a team physician for Rutgers University Athletics and is the team physician for Rutgers Football.

Peter DeLuca, MD, Chief of Orthopedic Sports Medicine, CBMC, will serve as the head team orthopedic physician for Gotham FC. Dr. DeLuca is the former head team physician for the Philadelphia Eagles and head of team orthopedics for the Philadelphia Flyers, and currently serves as a team physician for the New Jersey Devils.

Both Dr. Krystofiak and Dr. DeLuca are members of RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group.

Comprehensive Care

Peter DeLuca, MD

"Care of elite athletes is very broad, and it takes a team effort from top to bottom," Dr. Krystofiak says. "Everyone plays a role, and for athletes who are performing at the highest level in the world, every aspect of health needs to be optimized."

A player who is injured or ill not only needs to have her health needs addressed appropriately but also needs to heal safely-and as quickly as possible. "Optimizing all aspects of health puts players in the best possible position to excel," Dr. Krystofiak says.

Members of the health care team include not only the lead RWJBH physicians but also physical therapists, dietitians, athletic trainers, and sports science and performance experts, along with a wide variety of medical specialists and subspecialists.

"It's imperative to have good communication among everyone on the team," says Dr. DeLuca. "Players need their health back in order to perform, and part of our role is to ensure that everyone knows what the player can do based on a medical evaluation."

Partnering with RWJBH helps expedite care in part by having worldclass experts and resources-including diagnostic imaging technologies such as MRI and CT scans-readily accessible through a single integrated health care system.

RWJBH care for the club's players includes performing physicals and examinations, and working with trainers and players to communicate about diagnoses, conditions, rehabilitation plans and preventive strategies to best support player fitness while keeping athletes on the field and performing at the highest level.

Engaging the Community

Among other initiatives, RWJBH and Gotham FC will also develop meaningful community outreach and education programs to engage with local communities on the importance of proper nutrition, healthy habits and preventive measures.

"As women's professional sports continues to grow, this partnership will further support our women's health initiatives and our joint mission of building healthier communities," says Mark E. Manigan, President and Chief Executive Officer, RWJBH.

The partnership between RWJBarnabas Health and Gotham FC will not only keep the team's athletes healthy and performing at the highest levels but also promote community health through measures such as education, screenings, family-focused programming and integration with youth sports.

Additional highlights of the partnership include hospital visits, player appearances, and community-based programs and special events such as on-site fan engagement at Gotham FC's home stadium, Red Bull Arena, along with health and wellness education and health screenings. The partnership will further include family-focused programming and integration with youth camps.

"Gotham FC is proud to welcome RWJBarnabas Health as the club's official health care provider," says Yael Averbuch West, Gotham FC General Manager and Head of Soccer Operations. "The partnership will provide exceptional care to our world-class roster of players, with services administered by renowned sports medical professionals who will help keep players performing at their peak levels."

"With medical care at the forefront, we look forward to integrating our partnership far beyond the playing field," says Gotham FC Senior Vice President of Partnerships Nan Vogel. "Through the development of new programming, together we will celebrate building healthy lifestyles and deliver great patient experiences, and collectively our impact will reach far into the communities we serve."

"For RWJBH and our team of providers to be caring for the most elite women soccer athletes in the world is a wonderful opportunity," Dr. Krystofiak says. "These players, who are of Olympic and World Cup caliber, are amazing athletes on the field and outstanding individuals off the field. It's a privilege to be part of their health care team."

Learn more about RWJBarnabas Health and Gotham FC.