Cheri Blauwet (born May 15, 1980) is an American physician and Paralympic wheelchair racer. She is Board Certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) and Sports Medicine, is associate professor of PM&R at Harvard Medical School and an attending physician at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. She has competed at the Paralympic level in events ranging from the 100 meters to the marathon.
In 2023 she became chair of the board of governors of the Boston Athletic Association.She is also the Director of the Kelley Adaptive Sports Research Institute. In 2025, she was also named senior vice president and chief clinical officer for Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.
Early life and education
Blauwet grew up in Larchwood, Iowa, She has used a wheelchair since the age of 18 months, following a farming accident resulting in a spinal cord injury located at the T10 vertebra. She began racing in high school when she was recruited by her school's track and field coach. She later attended the University of Arizona, where she was a member of the school's wheelchair racing team, and graduated magna cum laude with a degree in molecular and cellular biology. She attended Stanford University School of Medicine, completed her residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School, and completed a sports medicine fellowship at Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.
Medical career
Blauwet attended Stanford University School of Medicine, graduating in 2009. She completed an internship in internal medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital in 2010 and a residency in PM&R in 2013 at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital/Harvard Medical School, where she served as Chief Resident. She is currently associate professor of PM&R at Harvard Medical School and an Attending Physician at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, where she specializes in sports medicine. She was the recipient of the Harold Amos Diversity Award from Harvard Medical School in 2016, which recognized her excellence in promoting research and clinical care for athletes with disabilities as well as promoting opportunities for faculty and trainees with disabilities. She was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Emerson College during their 135th Commencement Ceremony in 2015 and was named by the Boston Chamber of Commerce as one of Boston's Ten Outstanding Young Leaders in 2016.
Blauwet has taken on many leadership and advocacy roles, focusing on promoting physical activity and a healthy lifestyle for individuals with disabilities. She currently serves as Chairperson of the International Paralympic Committee's Medical Commission, is on the board of directors for the United States Olympic Committee as well as the International Olympic Committee Medical and Scientific Commission, and serves as the Disability Access and Awareness Director for Spaulding Rehabilitation Network. She previously served on the board of directors of the United States Anti-Doping Agency, the Neilsen Foundation Quality of Life Grant Review Board, She spoke on the floor of the United Nations in 2015 for the UN International Day of Sport for Development and Peace and was keynote speaker at the Boston celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. She remains an advocate for individuals with disabilities through lectures, interviews and commercials. In 2025, she was named in Forbes<nowiki/>' Accessibility 100 as a leader who has significantly impacted global accessibility. She was selected for using her platform and education to increase participation in physical activity for people suffering from disabilities.