Black Excellence: Dr. Marcia Faustin
Dr. Marcia Faustin (BS ’07) vaults Team USA gymnastics to success
It was a moment that shocked the world. Simone Biles, widely regarded as one of the best gymnasts in Olympic history, withdrew from most of her planned events in the 2021 Tokyo Games due to a debilitating case of the “twisties,” a condition that made her lose sense of where her body was midair. A mere three years later, at the 2024 Paris Games, Biles awed the world, winning gold in vault, individual all-around, and team all-around, and silver on floor. In an Instagram post, Biles thanked Loyola University Chicago alumna Dr. Marcia Faustin (BS ’07) for “making sure I never gave up on my dreams.” The current co-head team physician for the U.S. gymnastics women’s national team might not do a triple-twisting double tuck on the mat, but she accomplished a feat as difficult as scoring a perfect 10—restoring the team’s physical and emotional health after years of devastating challenges.