Biographical summary
Sara Filmalter, M.D., is a sports medicine physician at Mayo Clinic in Florida with specialized expertise in dive medicine, hyperbaric medicine, and preventive care. Dr. Filmalter is passionate about helping active individuals and athletes optimize performance and prevent injury while promoting overall health and wellness. She provides comprehensive evaluations, individualized treatment plans, and evidence-based strategies to support whole-person care.
"Together with my patients, I work toward achieving balanced, whole-person health and meaningful long-term wellness," says Dr. Filmalter.
Areas of expertise
Dr. Filmalter delivers advanced care tailored to active lifestyles:
- Sports medicine: Diagnosis and treatment of athletic injuries and performance-related concerns
- Dive medicine and hyperbarics: Health guidance and interventions for diving and underwater environments
- Preventive health: Strategies to reduce risk and promote lifelong wellness
Outside of the clinic, Dr. Filmalter enjoys running, diving, and traveling.
Conditions treated
- Nutrition (Healthy eating)
Procedures performed
Interests
- Endurance and multisport athlete care
- Sports specialties: cycling, dance, endurance sports, lacrosse, running, swimming, water-based activities/sports, motorsports, martial arts
- Female athlete
- Women's health
- Adolescent care
- Nutrition
- Lifestyle/wellness
Mayo Clinic locations
Education
- 2014
Fellow - Sports MedicineMayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
- 2014
FellowFLA Primary Care Sports Medici, Programs in Florida, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
- 2013
ResidentFamily Medicine, Programs in Florida, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
- 2013
Chief Resident - Family MedicineMayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
- 2012
Resident - Family MedicineMayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
- 2010
MDUniversity of Miami Miller School of Medicine
- 2005
BS - Integrated BiologyUniversity of Florida
-
Diploma - Diploma in Diving and Marine MedicineWilderness Medical Society
Activities and honors
Certifications
- 2014
Sports MedicineAmerican Board of Family Medicine
- 2013
Family MedicineAmerican Board of Family Medicine
Awards and honors
- 2021
Mayo Clinic Experience Top Performer AwardMayo Clinic
- 2013
Outstanding Scholarly ActivityMayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Department of Education Administration
- 2006
John K Robinson ScholarshipUniversity of Miami Miller School of Medicine
- 2005
Cum LaudeUniversity of Florida
- 2005
Four-Year ScholarUniversity of Florida
- 2004
McLaughlin ScholarshipUniversity of Florida
- 2003
Anderson ScholarshipUniversity of Florida
- 2002
Dean's ListUniversity of Florida
- 2002
President's Honor SocietyUniversity of Florida
- 2002
Golden Key National Honor Society MemberGolden Key National Honor Society
- 2002
National Society of Collegiate Scholars MemberNational Society of Collegiate Scholars
- 2002
Phi Eta Sigma Honors Society MemberPhi Eta Sigma Honors Society, University of Florida
Professional memberships
- 2023 - present
FellowWilderness Medical Society
- 2023 - present
Medical DirectorMaven Expeditionary Medicine, LLC
- 2022 - 2023
Medical AdvisorNeptune100 Project
- 2022 - present
Medical DirectorHammerhead Ocean Marathon
- 2022 - present
Medical DirectorSuperGirl Surf Pro
- 2022 - present
MemberUndersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society
- 2021 - present
Committee MemberWilderness Medical Society
- 2021 - 2023
Board of DirectorsJacksonville Beach Volunteer Life Saving Corps
- 2020 - present
MemberEhlers-Danlos Advisory
- 2018 - 2021
Medical DirectorDONNA Breast Cancer Marathon, The DONNA Foundation
- 2018 - 2022
MemberInternational Institute for Race Medicine
- 2018 - 2022
Medical DirectorColtman & Baughman PT Triathlon
- 2018 - present
Medical DirectorDRC - Jax Tri
- 2017 - present
MemberWilderness Medical Society
- 2014 - 2016
Medical AdvisorEasy Peasy Kids Fitness Foundation
- 2014 - present
Medical DirectorHammerhead Olympic Triathlon
- 2014 - 2017
Medical DirectorBeaches Fine Arts Series, Sprint Triathlons, Ponte Vedra, FL
- 2013 - 2021
Medical AdvisorNational Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer
- 2012 - 2013
MemberMortality and Morbidity Committee, Hospital Practice Committee, Mayo Clinic Florida Committees
- 2012 - present
MemberAmerican Medical Society Sports Medicine
- 2010 - present
MemberAmerican Academy of Family Physicians
- 2009 - 2010
Assistant DirectorHunter Society, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
- 2008 - 2009
InstructorHunter Society, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
- 2007 - 2008
Co-ChairCommunity Service, Hunter Society, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
- 2006 - 2008
MemberStudent Government, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Publications