For as long as she can remember, soccer was at the center of Lexi Quinn’s life. Growing up in the Bay Area as the youngest of three, Quinn chased after her two older brothers, determined to keep up. “I wanted to do everything they did — and do it just as well,” she said with a smile.
Quinn’s mom, a former Stanford University volleyball player and national champion, coached her daughter from an early age and instilled in her the same competitive spirit. And alongside her daughter’s triumphs came injuries — lots of them. From a broken arm in kindergarten, to a torn ACL in third grade, to multiple knee and ankle setbacks, Quinn was no stranger to casts, braces and physical therapy. Her first club teammates nicknamed her “Mummy” because she was always wrapped in bandages.
“I definitely had my fair share of injuries growing up,” she said. “But in some ways, I’m grateful. I learned to embrace and work through injuries rather than fear them.”
By the time she was recruited to play soccer at Brown University, Quinn had developed both the skill and resilience to compete at the Division I level. But in college, another major injury struck. While training, she suffered a severe lateral ankle ligament tear. For months Quinn pushed through pain, playing with her ankle taped rigidly in place.
“My ankle was completely immobile, I might as well have been playing in a cast,” she admitted.
The physical toll was hard, but the emotional strain cut even deeper. “I tied so much of my self-worth to my playing that when I could no longer perform, I lost myself,” Quinn said. The darkness of injury, combined with the pressure of college-level athletics, left her struggling.
That’s when her mom, a physical therapist, stepped in once again — this time connecting Quinn with Dr. Meagan Jennings, a foot and ankle surgeon at the Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group, part of the Sutter Health integrated network of care.
With more than 31,000 annual outpatient surgical procedures, Sutter Health’s orthopedic and sports medicine doctors are some of the most experienced providers in Northern California. These specialists are focused on sports injury prevention and education for teens, heart health screenings and concussion prevention programs.
“I trusted Dr. Jennings right off the bat,” Quinn said. “She understood not just my injury, but what it meant for me as an athlete and person.”
Dr. Jennings confirmed Quinn’s ankle ligaments were beyond repair and recommended surgery.
“Having sustained my own injuries through high school and college sports, I can empathize with my patients like Lexi,” Dr. Jennings said. “It is a privilege and honor to help someone in this way, get them back in the game, and support their journey. I was so excited to see Lexi excel post-surgery.”
For Quinn, who had already endured multiple procedures, it was daunting. But Dr. Jennings’ compassion made the difference. “She didn’t just talk about the surgery,” Quinn recalled. “She talked about me, my goals, my love for soccer. She gave me hope when I really needed it.”
Lexi celebrates with her team following a victory at Brown University.
Recovery wasn’t easy, but Dr. Jennings guided Quinn every step of the way. Slowly, Quinn found herself not only healing physically but also rediscovering her love for the game. By her senior year at Brown, she was named team captain of the soccer team.
“Looking back, it’s honestly surreal,” she said. “I went from rock bottom to leading my team to the ivy league tournament final in less than a year, and it’s all thanks to Dr. Jennings.”
That journey changed the course of Quinn’s life. Inspired by Dr. Jennings’ care and the impact it had on her, Quinn decided to pursue a career in healthcare. “Dr. Jennings showed me that medicine is far more than just treating injuries,” Quinn said. “It’s about giving people back their passion, their purpose, and ultimately, their lives.”
For Lexi Quinn, the setbacks became a catalyst. The girl once nicknamed “Mummy” had been pieced back together — not just by surgery, but by the dedication of a physician who cared deeply.
And now, she’s ready to pass that care forward.
