Paul J. Gubanich, MD, MPH
- SR Medical Director, Ambulatory
- Co-Director, BRAIN Health & Wellness Center
- Member, Division of Sports Medicine
- Co-Founder, Dance Medicine Clinic
- Professor, UC Department of Pediatrics
- paul.gubanich@cchmc.org
- Board Certified
About
Biography
I am a nationally recognized sports medicine physician with more than 20 years of experience caring for athletes of all ages and skill levels—from youth and recreational participants to elite professionals. I combine advanced medical expertise with personalized care to ensure every patient receives a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to their individual goals.
My clinical and research interests include sport related concussion and traumatic brain injury, dance medicine, sports performance, injury prevention, and healthcare optimization. Throughout my career, I’ve served as a team physician and consultant for youth, high school, collegiate, and professional organizations, including the AHL, NBA, MLB, NFL, and Olympic athletes, as well as pre professional and professional dance companies. I currently serve as the senior medical director for ambulatory specialty care at Cincinnati Children’s.
As an educator and innovator, I have trained more than 60 clinical fellows and researchers, delivered over 300 lectures, and authored more than 80 publications. I have led more than 40 research and quality improvement initiatives focused on advancing patient recovery, safety, and performance. Nationally, I contribute to healthcare improvement as a member of the Ambulatory Foundation Leadership Council for Solutions for Patient Safety. I am honored to have been elected a fellow of both the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine.
Driven by a passion for optimizing health and recovery, I co founded the Brain Recovery After INjury (BRAIN) Health and Wellness Center and the Dance Medicine Clinic—integrated, multidisciplinary programs designed to deliver efficient, patient centered care. These initiatives reflect my commitment to promoting positive health behaviors and physical activity for athletes at every level.
Outside of my professional work, I enjoy coaching youth sports, traveling, and exploring the outdoors with my family and pets.
Undergraduate: Ohio University, Athens, OH, 1997.
Medical School: The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 2001.
Residency: Internal Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 2004.
Fellowship: Sports Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 2005.
Graduate: Masters of Public Health, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 2007.
Interests
Sport-related concussion and traumatic brain injury; dance medicine; sports performance; injury prevention
Services and Specialties
Interests
Sport-related concussion and traumatic brain injury; dance medicine; sports performance; injury prevention; optimization of healthcare delivery and patient safety
Research Areas
Locations (2)
Insurance Information
Cincinnati Children's strives to accept a wide variety of health plans. Please contact your health insurance carrier to verify coverage for your specific benefit plan.
Publications
Enhancing Outpatient Clinic Recruitment: A Quality Improvement Strategy for a Prospective Research Study. Archives of Rehabilitation Research and Clinical Translation. 2025; 7(4):100539.
Does central nervous system dysfunction underlie patellofemoral pain in young females? Examining brain functional connectivity in association with patient-reported outcomes. Journal of Orthopaedic Research. 2022; 40(5):1083-1096.
Altered brain microstructure in association with repetitive subconcussive head impacts and the potential protective effect of jugular vein compression: a longitudinal study of female soccer athletes. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2019; 53(24):1539-1551.
Neck Collar with Mild Jugular Vein Compression Ameliorates Brain Activation Changes during a Working Memory Task after a Season of High School Football. Journal of Neurotrauma. 2017; 34(16):2432-2444.
Aerobic Exercise for Adolescents With Prolonged Symptoms After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: An Exploratory Randomized Clinical Trial. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation. 2017; 32(2):79-89.
Structural Connectivity Related to Persistent Symptoms After Mild TBI in Adolescents and Response to Aerobic Training: Preliminary Investigation. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation. 2017; 32(6):378-384.
Structural Connectivity Changes in The Brain After Aerobic Training in Adolescents with Persistent Symptoms After Mild TBI. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2016; 97(10):e36.
Analysis of head impact exposure and brain microstructure response in a season-long application of a jugular vein compression collar: a prospective, neuroimaging investigation in American football. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2016; 50(20):1276-1285.
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