Dignity Health Northridge Hospital Medical Center Program

The Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship Program at Dignity Health Northridge Hospital Medical Center offers a comprehensive one-year fellowship designed for physicians who have completed a Family Medicine residency. Located in the San Fernando Valley, just north of downtown Los Angeles, this fellowship aims to produce well-rounded sports medicine specialists capable of providing evidence-based care across various populations and clinical settings.

The educational mission of the fellowship is multi-faceted, aiming to cultivate confidence in fellows to function effectively within multi-disciplinary teams and to serve as an educational resource within the medical community. Fellows will gain proficiency in leadership, research, and critical analysis, enhancing their skills in primary care while contributing to the diverse field of sports medicine.

To achieve these goals, the fellowship provides a longitudinal curriculum with experiences across multiple clinical settings, event coverage, and structured didactics. This format allows fellows to tailor their education in line with their career aspirations.

Curriculum and Clinical Rotations

The fellowship incorporates a variety of clinical rotation sites:

• Southern California Orthopedic Institute: This community-based multi-disciplinary clinic offers orthopedic and sports medicine care, including access to surgical specialties, physical therapy, MRI, and gait analysis.
• Klotz Student Health Center at California State University, Northridge: A university-based clinic providing comprehensive sports medicine care, including collaboration with physical therapists, athletic trainers, and sports psychologists.
• Continuity Clinic at Northridge Family Medicine Clinic: This setting allows fellows to serve in a junior faculty capacity, enhancing their teaching and mentoring skills.

Event coverage responsibilities include prominent sports teams and institutions such as California State University, Northridge (a Division 1 institution) and the Los Angeles Unified School District high school football teams.

Application Process

Participation in the fellowship is facilitated through the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP). Eligible applicants are those who have completed, or are in the process of completing, a Family Medicine Residency program. The application process mandates submission of the following documents via ERAS:

• Personal Statement
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• USMLE or COMLEX scores for all parts (1, 2, and 3)
• Residency Program Director's letter of recommendation
• At least two additional letters of recommendation, including one from a primary care sports medicine physician

It is noteworthy that visa sponsorship is not available for this program. Applications are reviewed starting when ERAS opens in July, with a final application deadline set for October 15.

Fellowship Benefits

The program offers several competitive benefits to its fellows, including:

• Salary: $74,812.61 annually, alongside a tax-saving annuity with a matching funds program.
• Health Insurance: Comprehensive individual health insurance options for fellows and their families, including medical, dental, vision, and disability coverage.
• CME and Time Off: Four weeks of vacation, potential additional days for personal time off, and five funded study days.
• Liability Coverage: Professional liability coverage is included.
• Counseling Services: Access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for counseling.
• Meals: Complimentary meals are provided upon working shifts at the hospital.
• Educational Stipend: An annual stipend of $400 for educational materials.

Competitiveness and Special Considerations

The fellowship is characterized as highly competitive, attracting a diverse pool of applicants. It is essential for applicants to note that only candidates who have completed a Family Medicine residency are eligible, aligning with the program's goals of advanced training in sports medicine.

Visa Support

As previously mentioned, the fellowship does not offer visa sponsorship, which may be a critical consideration for international medical graduates seeking to apply.