Chris Grijalba, D.O., is rooted in community, serving as head coach of the Mountain Brook girls varsity team, part of the Greater Birmingham Youth Lacrosse AssociationFor Chris Grijalba, D.O., an assistant professor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Family and Community Medicine, lacrosse is about speed, skill, and opportunity. One of the fastest games on two feet, lacrosse rewards athletes of all shapes and sizes who bring effort and skill to the field. The sport itself has deep roots, originating with Native American communities centuries ago, where it was played not only as competition, but as a means of community building, spiritual expression, and preparation for battle.
According to Grijalba, that blend of intensity and purpose is part of what drew him to the game, and ultimately,helped shape his path into sports medicine.
“As a former athlete, I was always drawn to being around sports and the people who play them,” explained Grijalba, who works as part of the UAB Sports & Exercise Medicine team.
Today, Grijalba has built a career allowing him to combine both of his primary passions: caring for athletes while staying closely connected to the game. Coaching was not always part of his plan, though.
After college, where he played lacrosse at Oregon State University, Grijalba found himself working with youth lacrosse players and quickly discovered a passion for teaching.
“What stuck me were the ‘lightbulb’ moments, when a skill clicks and an athlete gains confidence,” said Grijalba. “Coaching is about more than performance; it’s about developing individuals on and off the field.”
Grijalba coached his team to a No. 2 regular-season ranking.That perspective has also made him a better physician, strengthening his ability to teach, adapt, and connect with his patients and students. After completing his Sports & Exercise Medicine fellowship at UAB, Grijalba opted to stay in the Department of Family and Community Medicine as full-time faculty. In this role, Grijalba serves as the point-of-care ultrasound curriculum leader for the UAB Heersink School of Medicine and also cares for athletes across a variety of sports.
Grijalba’s involvement in Birmingham lacrosse is rooted in a desire to give back and further support the game he loves. This season, he served as the head coach for the Mountain Brook girls varsity team, part of the Greater Birmingham Youth Lacrosse Association. Mountain Brook girls varsity lacrosse completed the 2026 regular season ranked No. 2 with an 8-3 record.
“Coaching at Mountain Brook has been a meaningful experience, allowing me to connect with young athletes and their families while helping grow the sport in the community,” said Grijalba.
Heersink School of Medicine students get instruction on point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS).With a background in sports medicine, Grijalba approaches coaching through a lens of performance, prevention, and longevity. He emphasizes proper training, nutrition, rest, and recovery. Not just focusing on keeping athletes healthy during the season, he aims to teach athletes how to build habits that last a lifetime. In a fast, physical sport like lacrosse, Grijalba stays particularly mindful of common injuries such as concussions, ankle and knee injuries, and soft tissue contusions, always prioritizing education and prevention.
“If there’s one message I hope athletes and parents take away, it’s that performance isn’t built on practice alone,” said Grijalba. "Nutrition, sleep, and mental health are just as critical. These three pillars drive not only athletic success, but also academic performance and most importantly overall wellbeing.”
Whether in the UAB Sports & Exercise Medicine and Family Medicine clinics or on the sidelines, Grijalba has one consistent mission: help athletes grow, stay healthy, and reach their full potential.