Alison Shames

Alison, originally from Memphis, TN, began ballet at age 11 and trained under guest teachers from Ballet Memphis. She attended summer programs at Boston Ballet School, The Bolshoi Ballet Academy, and Gelsey Kirkland Academy. At 15, a knee injury required surgery, leading her to believe her dreams of becoming a professional ballerina were over. However, after attending the school’s summer intensive to finish her knee rehabilitation, Alison moved to Florida to train full-time at The Art of Classical Ballet under Magaly Suarez, formerly with the Cuban National Ballet School. There, she performed in productions of Giselle, La Bayadère, and The Nutcracker. A second knee injury at the end of her training ended her prospects of a ballet career, but it led to a new path in medicine through mentorship from her sports physician.

Inspired by her experiences, Alison pursued a career in medicine, enrolling in the pre-health professions program at Florida Atlantic University, where she graduated magna cum laude in 2020 with a B.S. in Biological Sciences. She then worked as a clinical research assistant, focusing on knee osteoarthritis and shoulder injuries, before starting at the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine. Passionate about Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment and sports psychiatry, Alison is currently in her 3rd year of medical school and completing her clinical rotations in Florida. She aims to specialize in Sports Psychiatry, helping patients navigate the mental challenges of physical injury and the pressures faced by high-performing individuals.