CommonSpirit Health is teaming up with Denver Summit FC, Colorado’s new National Women's Soccer League franchise, in a game-changing partnership that's about more than just goals – it's about building a healthier community.
As Denver Summit FC’s first Founding Partner and its Official Health Care Partner, CommonSpirit is committed to supporting the team's success on the field and fostering a healthier community off the field. The partnership also marks a significant milestone for women's sports in Colorado and underscores CommonSpirit's dedication to investing in the well-being of the communities it serves.
"CommonSpirit is thrilled to provide top-tier, specialized medical care tailored to the professional athletes who will compete for Denver Summit FC," said Andrew Gaasch, CommonSpirit Mountain Region President. “Through this partnership, CommonSpirit and Denver Summit FC will work together to create meaningful health initiatives that benefit the entire Rocky Mountain region, with a particular focus on empowering women through health and wellness."
The journey to this partnership began several years ago, with CommonSpirit working closely with Rob Cohen and the Denver Summit FC ownership group to support their bid process with the NWSL.
"CommonSpirit is incredibly proud to be the first-ever Founding Partner of the Denver Summit Football Club," said Sarah Hill, Chief Mission Integration Officer for CommonSpirit’s Mountain Region. "We've been following their journey with great excitement, and we're thrilled to officially welcome them to the CommonSpirit family. It's so important to us to see women's sports thrive in Colorado, and it's been an honor to have been a part of that process."
CommonSpirit's commitment to Denver Summit FC extends to providing comprehensive healthcare support to ensure the club’s professional athletes can compete at their best. Dr. Karim Meijer, Executive Medical Director for Sports Medicine with CommonSpirit, is leading the charge.
"I'm incredibly excited to be working with Denver Summit FC. We have a team of elite providers ready to support these athletes," Dr. Meijer said, emphasizing the importance of personalized care.
"Our primary goal is to ensure the health and well-being of each player,” he said. “We'll be working closely with the team to ensure the players can compete against the best of the best in women's soccer. This means access to comprehensive sports medicine services, including injury prevention strategies, rapid diagnosis and treatment of injuries, and personalized rehabilitation plans."
CommonSpirit's sports medicine team is equipped to handle the unique needs of female athletes, Dr. Meijer added, while also stressing the importance of a collaborative approach that will include working closely with Denver Summit FC’s coaches and trainers to develop personalized care plans for each player.
Beyond the immediate healthcare benefits, the partnership between CommonSpirit Health and Denver Summit FC aims to inspire a new generation of young women.
"This will be a long-standing partnership, and we hope that together we can inspire a generation of young women to break barriers, both on and off the field," Hill said. "It's so important for young girls and women to have role models to look up to, and we're excited to play our part in making that happen. We're excited to see what we can accomplish together."
To celebrate the partnership and the arrival of Denver Summit FC, 11 "Neighborhood Summits" – public art sculptures – have been placed around the Denver metro area. These installations will remain on display through August 7, inviting the community to engage with the excitement surrounding the new team.
Denver Summit FC is also making significant strides in building its infrastructure, having recently broken ground on a state-of-the-art performance center in Centennial, Colorado. Furthermore, plans are underway for a 14,500-seat stadium at Santa Fe Yards, a purpose-built sports and entertainment district designed for professional women's sports, expected to open in the spring of 2028.
CommonSpirit Health is proud to stand alongside Denver Summit FC as they embark on this exciting journey, working together to create a healthier, more vibrant community for all.
