Career at Sword
Jennesa Atherton is a pelvic health physiotherapist and founding member of Sword's women's health programme, the industry's first AI-powered pelvic health programme. With deep clinical expertise and a commitment to expanding access to high-quality women's healthcare, she leads the clinical development of innovative, evidence-based digital solutions for women's health. Her deep expertise in women's health research covers critical life stage care including pregnancy, postpartum, menopause, and postmenopause. Jennesa is also critical in advising the women's health team on programme development to ensure the highest standards of care for women managing pelvic floor disorders.
Under Jennesa's clinical leadership, Sword's women's health programme has demonstrated meaningful improvements in feasibility, safety, and outcomes for women with pelvic floor dysfunction, including published research on digital approaches to urinary incontinence (MDPI, 2024) and postmenopausal pelvic floor disorders (JMIR mHealth, 2025).
Jennesa is driven by a mission to bridge the gap between traditional care and digital innovation, and to expand access to world-class women's healthcare.
Education
Jennesa's background is in Health Sciences and Clinical Research, with advanced training in programme development and healthcare innovation. Her academic foundation combines clinical methodology with women's health specialisation, preparing her to lead research and strategy for digital-first care models.
Jennesa holds academic honours from Beta Beta Beta, Psi Chi, and Aristea Honour Societies, reflecting her early commitment to excellence in biological and psychological sciences. She has completed advanced clinical training through the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), Herman & Wallace, and Core Exercise Solutions, earning specialised credentials in pregnancy, postpartum, and pelvic healthcare. Her certifications include APTA’s Fundamental and Intrapartum Topics of Obstetric Physiotherapy and Pelvic Health Levels 2A & 2B, as well as Herman & Wallace's Pelvic Floor Level 1 and Pelvic Function Series Capstone – Advanced Topics in Pelvic Health. She is also a certified Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist (PCES) through Core Exercise Solutions, reinforcing her evidence-based and holistic approach to women's health across the lifespan.
Experience
Jennesa has built her career advancing the quality and reach of women's health programmes. She has worked across clinical development, operations, and research functions to design interventions that meet the highest standards of evidence-based practice. Her approach centres on bridging clinical rigour with accessibility, ensuring that women have access to care that is both scientifically sound and effective in a practical setting.
