Serenity Ulmer
Serenity builds resiliency at the Center for the Female Athlete
- patient name: Serenity Ulmer
- age: 17
- seen in: Center for the Female Athlete
- providers: Center for the Female Athlete team
Serenity has always brought determination to whatever she does, whether in the classroom, extracurriculars or on the mat. When a shoulder issue impacted her freshman wrestling season, she refused to let the setback define her. Instead, she and her family turned to Dayton Children’s and found the Center for the Female Athlete. There, a team of experts was ready to support Serenity so she could get back to the sports she loves, physically and emotionally stronger.
a difficult end to the season
At the end of her freshman year, Serenity was competing for regional championships when she injured her shoulder. Instead of focusing on being one spot shy of making the state championships, Serenity dedicated her energy to getting stronger and preparing to compete the following year.
deciding on the Center for the Female Athlete
Serenity had learned about the Center for the Female Athlete at Dayton Children’s Hospital through a friend and teammate, and she and her mother, Valerie, both decided to see if it would be a good fit to help Serenity recover and get back on the mat as quickly as possible.
The Center for the Female Athlete is a place to empower female athletes to become the best version of themselves by focusing on training, performance, nutrition and behavioral health. Athletes meet with physicians, dietitians, behavioral health specialists and athletic trainers to develop an overall wellbeing plan tailored to their physical and mental health needs.
Each Center for the Female Athlete appointment starts with screenings by a dietitian, athletic trainer, behavioral health therapist, and sports medicine physician, and athletes have lab work done.
“The whole experience was very personal; they focused on Serenity as a whole individual, rather than just her injury,” Valerie shared. “They asked what mental battles she goes through before wrestling matches, and talked with her about the pressures of being a student athlete.”
a full plan for overall strength and wellbeing
After conversations with her care team and reviewing her blood work results, the team developed a plan for Serenity focused on her physical and emotional wellness. She worked with her athletic trainer regularly on exercises to treat her shoulder and regain her strength. Serenity’s blood work showed low iron (also called anemia), a very common condition in female athletes, so she received iron supplements and advice to improve her levels. Serenity partnered with her dietitian to make sure she was staying hydrated and eating properly to fuel her body and build muscle. And her behavioral health therapist gave her tools to work through her injury and the challenges that come with competing after an injury.
After that initial appointment, Serenity had the tools she needed from the dietitian and behavioral health therapist, but she continued to see the athletic trainer to help with her shoulder.
support and encouragement from her care team
“Having a team of all women helped me feel more confident and empowered. I felt really safe and comfortable; no one was judgmental,” Serenity shared. “Sometimes people let their sports define who they are and lose themselves in the validation of being an athlete, at the expense of losing who they are as an individual. Being injured reminded me to stay focused on who I am as a person, and the Center for the Female Athlete team helped me do that.”
looking ahead
Now, Serenity goes back to the center as needed, to retest her blood work and make sure she doesn’t need further treatment. Serenity is a junior and is interested in pursuing a career in sports medicine. While a career in the medical field has always interested Serenity, her experience at the Center for the Female Athlete inspired her even more.
“Serenity amazes me every day. Her drive to overcome things is just amazing. She’s progressed with athletics and academics as time has gone on. She’s so resilient, and sees challenges as a way to push harder,” Valerie said. “By staying focused on who she is and putting God first, Serenity will get through anything.”
book a consult at the Center for the Female Athlete
Support your athlete’s strength, resilience and wellbeing. Schedule your consult with the experts at the Center for the Female Athlete today.
share your story
Every patient journey at Dayton Children’s is powerful — from NICU miracles to courageous cancer survivors and beyond. These patient stories not only celebrate our families but also offer hope and encouragement to others facing similar challenges. Share your experience today and help inspire, support, and celebrate the strength of our patients and families.
related stories
care that goes above and beyond
Because every child deserves care that goes above and beyond, Dayton Children’s provides compassionate, expert care for kids of all ages. Find a provider, schedule an appointment, or learn more about conditions we treat today.
