Pioneering the Future: Exploring the Intersections of Sports, Technology and Healthcare
Published July 21, 2025 | Macie Jepson, Manager, Communications
Sports medicine is being transformed by the intersection of technology and healthcare, and Northeast Ohio is positioning itself as a leading hub for innovation.
University Hospitals is at the forefront of that innovation. UH is one of the first medical institution to earn FDA approval to grow and implant stem cells for the treatment of early arthritis, the first to publish research using oxygen sensors after ACL surgery to measure return to activity, and – through the UH Haslam Sports Innovation Center – is serving as novel industry partners with biomedical companies that accelerate recovery after injury.
Advances Born from Partnerships
UH Ventures, UH Haslam Sports Innovation Center and tech development organization OhioX recently convened pioneers in medicine, professional sports, technology, venture capital and startups for conversation and collaboration. SportsLand, held for a second year at Huntington Bank Field, is a platform for exploration with a focus on performance nutrition, biomechanics of injury prevention, surgical technology, athlete development, and driving the economic impact of sports in Cleveland.
“The convergence of sports science, data analytics and human performance is reshaping how athletes train, recover and ultimately perform,” said James Voos, MD, Chairman, Department of Orthopedic Surgery and the Jack and Mary Herrick Distinguished Chair, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine at University Hospitals. “From wearable devices that monitor physiological metrics in real-time to sophisticated analytics that predict injury risks, sports technology is paving the way for more personalized and efficient healthcare interventions.”
Browns offensive guard Joel Bitonio recently had stem cells, grown from his own bone marrow, implanted into his arthritic knee as part of the FDA trial underway at UH. Dr. Voos along with Browns team physician and UH orthopedic surgeon Jacob Calcei, MD, performed the procedure. Bitonio said during a panel discussion that he’s now excited for the upcoming football season, already experiencing less pain and reduced inflammation.
Bitonio also recognized the profound impact of building a strong relationship with head Browns physician Dr. Voos, attributing his longevity to a collaboration spanning his entire 14-year NFL career.
“We’ve been through it all together,” said Bitonio. “It underlines how essential trust and communication are to optimal performance.”
David Gilbert, President and CEO of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission & Destination Cleveland, was one a panel discussing the economic impact of sports. He was joined by representatives of the Browns, Cavaliers and a group trying to bring professional women’s soccer to Cleveland.
Leaders from KeyBank, JobsOhio, Haslam Sports Group and TitleTown Tech shared insights into how investors, medical professionals and innovators are shaping the future of sports science and athlete development.
Startup Stage
The event also featured a pitch competition. The winner – Lubu which created an insole for shoes which provides a gait analysis – received funding from the UH Haslam Sports Innovation Center. Their insole assesses the gait, therefore reducing risk of injury and improving performance for athletes in any sport. Other pitches included a hydration and fluid management system that optimizes performance and an online technology accessory store for active lifestyles.
“We have the clinical expertise, the investment opportunities and the design opportunities that make us the destination when it comes to science, health technology and health innovation,” said David Sylvan, Chief Strategy, Innovation and Marketing Officer, University Hospitals; President, UH Ventures. “This is the beginning of piecing all that together.”
