Cheri Blauwet, MD

About Me

Cheri Blauwet, MD, provides clinical and strategic leadership across Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s entire enterprise — the organization’s downtown Chicago flagship hospital, more than 30 sites of care in Chicagoland, and partnerships with hospitals across the nation and internationally. In the process, she ensures world-class quality, safety and performance throughout all aspects of Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s medical practice.

Dr. Blauwet joined Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in 2025. Previously, she served as chief medical officer of the Spaulding network, as well as interim chair of physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) for Mass General Brigham and associate professor at Harvard Medical School.

Outside of work, Dr. Blauwet has championed accessibility — and is a champion herself. She is a seven-time Paralympic medalist, representing Team USA in wheelchair racing. She has won the wheelchair division of the New York City Marathon twice, the Boston Marathon twice and the Los Angeles Marathon four times. She maintains active leadership roles with the International Olympic Committee, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, and the Boston Athletic Association (Boston Marathon). In recognition of her impact, in 2025 she was named to Forbes’ inaugural "Accessibility 100." 

Dr. Blauwet completed her doctor of medicine at Stanford Medicine and her residency in PM&R — culminating in her appointment as chief resident — at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital/Harvard Medical School. She completed her fellowship in sports medicine at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.