Maine-Dartmouth Family Medicine Program

The Maine-Dartmouth Family Medicine Program in Sports Medicine offers a comprehensive fellowship designed for training physicians in sports medicine, particularly in a rural setting. The program is unopposed, providing a unique environment for hands-on learning with opportunities to practice in Augusta and Waterville, Maine.

Curriculum Overview

The fellowship curriculum integrates various facets of sports medicine, including acute care, community wellness, and educator roles. Fellows engage in high volumes of outpatient care, focusing on athletes from various backgrounds, primarily amateur and recreational participants. The curriculum emphasizes flexible educational experiences, allowing tailoring based on each fellow's prior knowledge and professional goals. Fellows participate actively in sports medicine care delivery, benefiting from mentorship and supervision while developing competencies in clinical decision-making and procedural skills 1.

Rotations and Clinical Exposure

Fellows experience diverse clinical settings, which include:

• Acute Sports Medicine Care: The experience is integrated at MaineGeneral Orthopaedics, with fellows providing direct care to a high volume of patients.
• High School Athlete Care: Each fellow serves as the primary point of contact for high schools, providing weekly training room coverage and events management.
• College Athlete Care: Close collaboration with local colleges allows for sideline coverage and health center responsibilities at Colby College and Thomas College.
• Mass Participation Events: Fellows cover significant events like the Ironman 70.3 Maine and the Beach to Beacon 10K, providing essential medical care under professional guidance 1.

Didactic and Educational Components

The program includes a structured didactic curriculum featuring:

• Friday Morning Lecture Series: A monthly series focusing on critical sports medicine topics.
• Ultrasound and Radiology Didactics: Regular workshops enhance practical skills in imaging techniques applicable to sports medicine.
• Journal Clubs: Biweekly discussions facilitate collaborative case reviews and evidence-based practice among peers.
• Dedicated Anatomy and Physical Therapy Sessions: Monthly engagements are organized aimed at didactic learning for fellows 3.

Research and Scholarly Activity

Fellows participate in scholarly activities including case presentations at national conferences. They are required to attend three professional conferences each year, with expectations of sharing research or clinical cases at these events 7.

Unique Aspects of the Program

The noteworthy aspects of the Maine-Dartmouth Sports Medicine Fellowship include:

• Two-Week Rotation at Killington Mountain Clinic: This intensive exposure helps fellows manage common acute injuries unique to sports settings.
• Mass Participation Event Coverage: Participation in significant community events fosters teamwork and applied practice in high-pressure scenarios.
• Passionate Faculty: The program features a dedicated team of faculty members, each bringing diverse expertise and enthusiasm, enriching the educational experience 1.

Training Sites

The fellowship operates primarily from two key training sites:

• MaineGeneral Orthopaedics - Augusta: This center provides extensive resources for sports injury management and rehabilitation.
• MaineGeneral Orthopaedics - Oakland: Offers outpatient services and collaborative care across orthopaedic specialties ratioed to a sports medicine practice 4.

Visa Support

The program accepts candidates with J-1 visas for international medical graduates but does not support H-1B visa sponsorship. This aspect makes the fellowship accessible for a broader range of candidates globally 8.

Application Process and Competitiveness

The Maine-Dartmouth Sports Medicine Fellowship is competitive. The program accepts applications from candidates who have completed residencies in family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, emergency medicine, or physical medicine and rehabilitation. Successful applicants typically hold valid medical licensure in Maine before the appointment. The program is very DO and IMG friendly, aiming to recruit diverse backgrounds within its fellows.

Living and Practicing in Maine

The fellowship's location in central Maine offers residents a blend of both professional opportunities and a lifestyle enriched with outdoor activities and cultural experiences. Living conditions are reported to be favorable, with many scenic locations and recreational offerings throughout the year 9.