Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Program

The Congress Medical Associates Sports Medicine and Shoulder & Elbow Fellowship, situated in Pasadena, California, is a highly reputed program established in 1999 that focuses on educating and cultivating clinician-scientists in the field of sports medicine. This fellowship aims to prepare its fellows for advanced roles in treating athletes and managing sports-related injuries through a combination of practical training, surgical techniques, and research. The program emphasizes a hands-on approach where the fellow will assist in approximately 15 surgical cases weekly and engage in comprehensive pre-operative assessments.

Curriculum and Didactics

The educational component of the fellowship is thoughtfully structured, incorporating a variety of didactic sessions that enhance clinical knowledge and application. Weekly activities include a Journal Club where fellows present and discuss three selected articles focused on their clinical relevance. The program also features a Radiology Conference that enables fellows to collaborate closely with musculoskeletal radiologists to review clinical presentations and imaging findings, further solidifying their understanding of operative indications.

Additionally, the Congress Medical Foundation Lecture Series invites guest speakers every third Thursday to delve into applicable sports medicine topics and research updates, which aids fellows in staying abreast of emerging trends in orthopedics.

Fellows are encouraged to participate in national and local sports medicine training courses, such as the AOSSM Fellows Course and the Arthrex Sports Medicine Fellowship Forum, fostering their academic growth and networking capabilities.

Clinical Rotations and Surgical Experience

The primary site for surgical procedures will be the Congress Medical Surgery Center in Pasadena. However, in-patient surgeries will also be conducted at prominent institutions such as Huntington Memorial Hospital and USC Arcadia Hospital. The fellow will gain extensive experience in operative treatments, particularly in arthroscopic techniques and ligamentous reconstruction. This practical exposure is crucial for developing vital surgical skills required in sports medicine.

Team coverage responsibilities include working with various local colleges and high schools, where fellows gain practical experience in evaluating and treating student-athletes, particularly during football game coverage in the fall.

Research Opportunities

Research is a fundamental aspect of the fellowship. Fellows are expected to engage in ongoing projects and original research endeavors within the Congress Medical Foundation Orthopedic Biomechanics Laboratory. This state-of-the-art facility provides excellent resources for fellows to refine surgical techniques and assess innovative surgical constructs using cadaver specimens. Through this unique laboratory environment, fellows may actively collaborate with researchers worldwide, which enhances their scholarly contributions and networking within the sports medicine community.

Completing a research project for presentation at the annual Kerlan-Jobe Alumni Research Conference is a program requirement, which further solidifies the importance of research in the fellows' training.

Salary, Vacation, and Benefits

The fellowship offers a competitive salary of $72,000 for the academic year, alongside two weeks of vacation in addition to permissions for attending educational meetings. Each fellow is allocated $4,000 for educational expenses, which can be utilized for conferences and training courses. The opportunity to undertake additional weekend calls is available for supplementary compensation, further enhancing their practical experience.

Application Process

The fellowship program, accredited by ACGME, only has one position available each year, running from August 1 until July 31 of the following year. Applicants must have completed an orthopedic surgery residency at an ACGME-accredited program for eligibility. The application process includes participation in the San Francisco Match Program, underlining the program's commitment to fostering high-quality education for its fellows.

The program offers support for visa types, accommodating international medical graduates, which emphasizes its openness in recruiting exceptional talent globally, enhancing the program's competitiveness. Furthermore, the program is generally regarded as IMG-friendly, allowing opportunities for qualified international candidates.