FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
U.S. Council for Athletes’ Health Launches National Accreditation Program to Elevate Athlete Health, Safety, and Well-Being
Columbus, Ohio — October 1, 2025 — The U.S. Council for Athletes’ Health (USCAH) today announced the launch of its Accreditation Program, a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to advance and validate institutional standards of excellence in athlete health, safety, well-being, and performance.
With more than 30 organizations already established as candidates, USCAH Accreditation provides colleges, universities, National Governing Bodies, and other athletics organizations with an independent, comprehensive framework to safeguard athletes and demonstrate a visible commitment to best practices and industry standards.
The program reflects best practices plus evidence- and consensus-based standards endorsed by leading sports medicine organizations, scientific academies, and sport governing bodies. USCAH accreditation encompasses standards across six core areas: Governance & Leadership, Athlete Health, Medical, and Performance Services, Education & Training, Compliance & Risk Management, Athlete Well-Being, and Data & Continuous Improvement.”
“Athlete safety isn’t optional — it’s foundational,” said James Borchers, MD, MPH, President and CEO of USCAH. “USCAH Accreditation sets the gold standard, inspiring institutions and athletics organizations to champion evidence- and consensus-based policies, uphold medical autonomy and athlete-centered care, and provide holistic care for every athlete.”
”Through accreditation, institutions and athletics organizations send a powerful message to athletes, families, and communities: the health, safety, and well-being of every athlete comes first,” Borchers added.
Brian Hainline, MD, former NCAA Chief Medical Officer and current Senior Advisor at USCAH, emphasized the program’s long-term significance: “This accreditation initiative is transformative. For the first time, institutions and athletics organizations have a comprehensive, standardized framework to safeguard that health, safety, and well-being are prioritized at every level of athletics. It fosters accountability, promotes transparency, and, most importantly, builds trust.
About USCAH
The U.S. Council for Athletes’ Health partners with organizations nationwide to provide education, compliance support, and medical expertise that protect student-athletes. With the launch of its Accreditation Program, USCAH continues its mission to transform the landscape of collegiate and scholastic athletics by setting and verifying the highest standards of care.
Learn More
For more information about USCAH Accreditation, visit uscah.com or contact Bob Sweeney at rsweeney@uscah.com.
Contact:
Bob Sweeney
Executive Vice President
U.S. Council for Athletes’ Health
rsweeney@uscah.com
