Women in Medtech Forum: Supporting the Female Athlete Across Her Lifecycle

She currently serves on the Academic Advisory Board for the IOC Diploma in Sports Medicine. She has been a committee member and chair for a number of organizations including AAOS, AOSSM, ESSKA, and ISAKOS. She received the Founders Award for the best in Sports Medicine from AMSSM in 2005, the Patellofemoral Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016, and the AOSSM 2021 George D. Rovere Award for Education.

In her current position of Vice Chair of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, combined with 6 years on the NCAA Medical Safeguard Committee, 8 years on the President’s Council for Physical Fitness and Sport, and 20 years as Medical Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at her University, she has gained considerable experience in sports administration and governance at the intercollegiate level.

She has authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications and 40+ book chapters.

In 2022, she was inducted into the AOSSM Hall of Fame, being the third female to receive that honor.

She considers herself a lifelong athlete.

She resides with her husband in Mpls, Mn.

Summer Avery

Sports Medicine Associate Sales Representative
Smith + Nephew

Summer Avery is a Sports Medicine Associate Sales Representative for Smith and Nephew and former professional volleyball player. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from San Jose State, San Jose where she competed as a dual-sport scholarship student athlete for the NCAA Division I beach and indoor volleyball programs. She went on to complete her 5^th year of NCAA eligibility on the women’s indoor volleyball team at California Baptist University while obtaining a Master’s degree in Kinesiology. In her final season she served as team captain and the team advanced to the NIVC post-season tournament for the first time in program history.  After college, Summer played for three seasons as a professional volleyball player in the 1^st Division for Lemesos Volleyball Club in Limassol, Cyprus. There she gained valuable experience working with different cultures, coaches, and styles of play. Summer’s experience as a lifelong athlete has given her a unique perspective on women in sports medicine and she is passionate about helping athletes recover from injury and perform at their best. In her free time Summer enjoys hiking, travel photography, and coaching high-school beach volleyball in her hometown of Tucson, Arizona.

Lori Fontaine
Vice President of Global Clinical Strategy
Smith+Nephew

Lori Fontaine is Vice President of Global Clinical Strategy at Smith+Nephew and is responsible for developing global clinical and health economic evidence strategies to support accelerated market access, expanded market adoption and secured access to products via close collaboration with internal and external stakeholders including healthcare providers, regulators, payers.  

Ms. Fontaine has more than 30 years of eclectic healthcare experience in clinical research, medical education, information technology, consulting, administration, and direct patient care.  Lori holds a Master’s Degree in Public Health from Boston University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Georgetown University.  

Before her career in medical device clinical research, she was a champion of career development as a consultant in the Boston office of Deloitte’s health care practice and an oncology nurse at Boston Medical Center.  Lori has a special interest in global health disparities and has served with satellite medical teams throughout Latin America. She believes the road to personal and professional success is to venture outside of your comfort zone and follow the best practices of the people who inspire you. 

Christie Van Geffen is the Vice President of Global Marketing for Sports Medicine, Joint Repair, at Smith + Nephew. Christie began her career at Smith + Nephew in England, UK, 20 years ago, where she worked in the commercial organization before making the move to regional marketing. Relocating to the US in 2010, she has held several positions within Global Marketing, launched many new products and been involved in acquiring and integrating new technologies within Sports Medicine. Christie and her team are committed to advancing surgical solutions for Sports Medicine surgeons, with the ultimate goal of improving patients’ lives.