WATERLOO, Ont. - U SPORTS have announced the medical staff for the 2025 FISU Summer World University Games in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany, and it features a devoted Golden Hawk. 

Natalie Paladino, a full-time athletic therapist with Laurier Athletics and Recreation since July 2021, has been named as one of the six therapists making up the staff led by Chief Medical Officer Jessica Curran from Carleton University.

The Stoney Creek, Ont. native will also work alongside Dinah Hampson of the University of Toronto, who will serve as chief therapist. 

"It's an honour to be selected as a member of the core medical team for the 2025 FISU Summer Games in Germany," Paladino said. "Representing Canada and being able to work with our Canadian athletes to help them achieve their goals will be very fulfilling, exciting, and something I am looking forward to. "

Paladino is no stranger to the FISU stage as this will mark her fourth time serving as a member of the athletic therapy staff. She has previously worked at the Summer and Winter Games in 2015, 2017, and 2019.

At the 2017 Winter Games, Paladino was part of the staff supporting the women's hockey team who brought home a silver medal. 

"I am thrilled about Natalie's selection to the core medical team for the 2025 FISU Summer Games in Germany," said Ryan Lannan, Laurier's associate director of interuniversity sport programs. "Her dedication and expertise will undoubtedly contribute significantly to the success of our athletes. I'm confident that her presence will inspire and support the team in achieving their goals."

She currently oversees the Golden Hawks women's basketball, rugby, curling teams, as well as the women's cheerleading squad. 

"We are thrilled with the mission staff we have assembled for the 2025 FISU Summer World University Games," said Canada's chef de mission Karla Karch. "Thanks to their support and expertise, we are confident that Canadian student-athletes will enjoy a memorable experience and will achieve great success in Germany this summer." 

After being a non-participant in the 2023 Games hosted by Chengdu, China, Team Canada will make its return at the event running from July 16 to 27.

Canada hopes to continue its success from the 2019 Games in Naples, where the team earned six medals (one gold, one silver, four bronze). 
 

The complete medical staff is: 

• Chief Medical Officer: Dr. Jessica Curran (Carleton) 
• Chief Therapist: Dinah Hampson (Toronto) 
• Physician: Dr. Danielle Kelton (Western) 
• Physician: Dr. Erika Persson (Alberta) 
• Physician: Dr. Scott Shallow (Queen's) 
• Core Medical: Monty Churchman (Saskatchewan) 
• Core Medical: Karen Hyslop-Gibson (Hamilton, Ont.) 
• Core Medical: Mireille Landry (Toronto) 
• Core Medical: Joanne Pady (Victoria) 
• Core Medical: Natalie Paladino (Laurier) 
• Core Medical: Marie-Claude Saint-Amour (Montreal) 
• Clinic Manager: Antoine Atallah (Major Games Canada)