the center for the female athlete
Discover comprehensive care for young female athletes at the Center for the Female Athlete—supporting training, nutrition, injury prevention and mental health.
empowering female athletes
The Center for the Female Athlete is a place to empower female athletes to become the best version of themselves. We know that when it comes to young, female athletes, there’s a lot to consider. Training, performance, nutrition, mental health. And with the center, we will provide a place for our young female athletes to be heard. To learn how to understand their bodies’ unique needs and focus on the power they have to position themselves for total wellness.
With an exceptional female-led team of physicians, dietitians, behavioral health specialists and athletic trainers, female athletes can find the program they’ve been looking for that helps them not only be the best version of their athletic self, but more importantly, the best version of their whole self.
who we care for
We see patients ages 12-22 for a variety of conditions such as:
- Nutritional screening
- Mental health screening
- Risk assessment for Relative Energy Deficiency in Sports (REDS)
- Bone health and density testing
- Sport-specific injury prevention
- Coping with injuries
- Performance anxiety/mental blocks
- Performance visualization
- Nutritional counseling (growth and adequate fueling)
To find out if the Center for the Female Athlete is right for you, take our quiz.
related resources
take our quiz
Dayton Children’s knows that when it comes to young, female athletes, there’s a lot to consider. Training, performance, nutrition, mental health. And with the Center for the Female Athlete, we will provide a place for our young female athletes to be heard. To learn how to understand their bodies’ unique needs and focus on the power they have to position themselves for total wellness.
Take our 1-minute quiz and schedule a 30-minute free, virtual consultation with one of our athletic trainers to find out if the Center for the Female Athlete is right for you!
meet the team
The Center for the Female Athlete is run by an exceptional female-led team of physicians, dietitians, behavioral health specialists and athletic trainers.
Lora Scott, MD
chief, division of sports medicine
- Trained pediatrician with a fellowship in primary care sports medicine
- Has worked with University of South Florida Bulls, University of Cincinnati Bearcats, Flying Pig Marathon, Dayton Juniors volleyball, Haunted Classic soccer tournament, Wright State athletics and Dayton Stealth hockey.
- Former swimmer and triathlete
- Enjoys outdoor activities – camping, hiking, canoeing, swimming, beach, surfing, and SCUBA.
Sarah Steward, MD
pediatric orthopedic surgeon
- Only 6% of orthopedic surgeons nationwide are female and Dr. Steward is one of them
- Specializes in pediatric orthopedic sports medicine
- Played college basketball at Marquette University and as a professional basketball player in Finland
- Girls on the Run – Dayton board member
Jamie Broz, ATC
manager, athletic trainer
- Worked for more than two decades with all types of athletes traveling and working with the junior development levels through senior level athletes.
- Holds specialized certifications and training in manual therapy and functional movement such as pilates, dry needling, and sports metrics.
- Primary experience in performing arts and gymnastics
- Has covered extreme, Olympic and Paralympic sports
- Has provided medical care for many world and Olympic champions
Maria Brumfield, MS, RDN, LD
dietitian
- Ran Division 1 cross country and track at Miami University breaking two school records (10k and cross country)
- Ran the Columbus marathon and qualified for the Olympic Marathon trials
- Ran in the Olympic marathon trials in February 2020
Linh-Han Ikehara, MSW, LISW-S
Behavioral health therapist
- Specializes in the wellness of competitive young athletes
- Passionate about helping teen athletes discover their own resiliency and determination that fuels engagement of physical and emotional wellness
- Enjoys trail running, biking, hiking and cooking wholesome meals and treats
Megan Christoffel PT, DPT
physical therapist
- Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in orthopedics
- Competed as a gymnast for 13 years, finishing her career as a Level 10
- Cheered at Bowling Green State University for football and basketball, including their competitive team
- Loves working with kids and helping them get back to the sports and activities that they love
- Enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, as well as family in the area.
Karly Steenbock, MS, AT, ATC
athletic trainer
- Competed as a collegiate golfer at Wheeling Jesuit University
- Performed on Wheeling Jesuit University Dance Team
- Passionate about educating athletes on preventative care and currently working on a doctorate in education
- Enjoys golfing, running, and cooking.
news and blogs
Stay up-to-date with the latest insights from Dayton Children’s. We’re always working to share helpful, real-world content for families navigating care.
patient stories
Real families, real results. Whether it’s a soccer player getting back on the field after an ACL tear or a toddler taking their first steps after clubfoot treatment, our patients and families inspire us every day. These stories offer hope, guidance and reassurance that we are here for your child every step of the way.
Explore how Dayton Children’s care has gone above and beyond for kids just like yours.
what to expect – first appointment
Your first appointment with the Center for the Female Athlete will take approximately 2 ½ hours. We know, it’s a lot of time, but it’s worth it! You’ll get a chance to meet with an athletic trainer, behavioral health specialist, registered dietitian and sports medicine provider.
Meeting with all of them at once makes it more convenient and allows them to develop a comprehensive care plan to meet your individual needs. Because you’ll be meeting with the entire care team during one appointment, it’s also more cost-effective than meeting with each provider individually. You can meet the team ahead of time here.
You’ll receive several text reminders leading up to your appointment. If you encounter a scheduling conflict or aren’t feeling well and need to reschedule—no problem! Please call the clinic directly 937-641-4876, we’ll find a better time to meet.
For your appointment, please wear comfortable clothing. We’ll be doing a functional movement assessment, so you’ll need to wear clothes that you can move in.
We’ll provide you with a workbook that includes educational handouts, a notebook and pen for notetaking throughout your different consultations.
Your first appointment with the Center for the Female Athlete will take approximately 2 ½ hours. We know, it’s a lot of time, but it’s worth it!
A visit typically looks like:
- Athletic trainer: 60 minutes
- Behavioral health specialist: 30 minutes
- Dietitian: 30 minutes
- Sports medicine provider: 30 minutes
To kick-off your appointment, you’ll be met by one of our licensed athletic trainers. She’ll talk to you about the program and get more information about your health history and sport, including past or present injuries you want us to be aware of. From there, she’ll take you through a functional movement assessment designed to evaluate how you move through a series of exercises.
After meeting with our athletic trainer, you’ll meet with our behavioral health therapist to explore your current coping tools and help you identify ways to be mindful of your overall health and well-being, while still focused on your performance. Next, you’ll meet with our registered dietitian to review any nutritional questions or concerns you may have, review your current diet nutritional habits, and discuss the unique nutrition needs of female athletes for overall well-being.
After these initial consultations and conversations, our sports medicine provider will review and fully explain your initial results. She will work with you on goal setting and developing a holistic treatment plan to address any areas of concern.
There is no “typical” Female Athlete patient, so everyone’s treatment plan will look different. We are committed to addressing your individual needs and working together to help you reach your goals.
Have questions before your appointment? We have answers! Give us a call at 937-641-4876.
Get checklists, resources, and helpful tips for before, during, and after your visit to Dayton Children’s—so you know exactly what to expect.
resources for female athletes
Find free, downloadable resources covering topics like nutrition, mental health, hydration and overtraining, plus sport specific resources.
request a speaker
If you’d like to learn more about the Center for the Female Athlete or are interested in having one of our team members come to speak about the program at an upcoming practice or event, please call 937-641-4876 or fill out this form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible to discuss your event in greater detail.
locations
Your first appointment with the Center for the Female Athlete will always be at our Specialty Care Center at south campus. For all follow-up appointments, our team is here to support your athlete’s health at multiple convenient locations across the region.
book a consult
Schedule a free, 30-minute virtual consult with one of our athletic trainers to learn more about the program and see if it’s the right next step. During this call, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss your athlete’s goals, ask questions and understand how our team can support her. If the center is a good fit, please note that it may be several weeks before your first appointment.
FAQs
- Book online at a time that’s convenient for you
- Meet virtually from home or work—no travel needed
- Speak directly with one of our expert female athlete athletic trainers
- It’s completely free
At a minimum, a parent or guardian must be available for the consult. The athlete is welcome to be there, as well, but it is not required. Unfortunately, we cannot do consults with just the athlete.
The consult will take about 30 minutes. If our athletic trainer determines that The Center for the Female Athlete is a good fit for your daughter they will schedule an official intake appointment and then your daughter’s first visit with the program.
This is a virtual consult and will take place on Microsoft Teams. When you book your appointment, you will be sent a meeting invite which will contain a link to join your consult. You do not need to download any special software prior to the consult and you can join via phone, tablet or computer.
Our athletic trainer will ask you questions about your daughter’s sport(s) and health history to determine if The Center for the Female Athlete is the right fit for her.
ready to take the next step?
From injury prevention and training to nutrition and mental wellness, we’re dedicated to helping female athletes reach her full potential. Book a free consult to learn more.
