McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University Program

The Sports Medicine Fellowship at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine offers a one-year, comprehensive training program focused on sports medicine within an academic setting. This fellowship is ACGME-accredited, which means that individuals who complete this program will be eligible to take the subspecialty board exam for sports medicine.

Fellows will primarily rotate at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, engaging in various aspects of musculoskeletal and sports medicine. Key areas of experience include outpatient clinics and procedure suites that cover diagnostic and interventional ultrasound, as well as an inpatient musculoskeletal consult service. Additionally, fellows will work at Northwestern University in venues such as student health clinics and athletic training facilities.

Rotational experiences further extend to pediatric sports medicine, orthopedics, and fracture care clinics at Lurie Children’s Hospital. This broad exposure allows for a comprehensive development of clinical skills pertinent to sports medicine practice. There are also opportunities to tailor fellowship training according to personal interests with elective rotations available, including orthopedic surgery clinics, women's health clinics, and exposure to various electrodiagnostic procedures.

In line with its commitment to real-world application, the fellowship incorporates extensive coverage of events such as Division I athletics and club teams at Northwestern University, the Chicago Marathon, adaptive sports events, and performances in the performing arts. Fellowship training encompasses teaching responsibilities with medical students and residents through regular lectures on musculoskeletal topics, organization of journal clubs, and participation in cadaver dissection classes aimed at skills development in anatomy and physical examination.

Fellows also engage in a structured didactic program that consists of weekly sessions with faculty members and a monthly educational series that includes contributions from the Chairman of the PM&R department. Importantly, the program emphasizes scholarly activities, requiring fellows to conduct original research while also providing platforms for publishing articles or presenting at national meetings.

One of the unique features of the fellowship is its flexibility, allowing for adaptations in the fellowship schedule to align with the specific interests of the fellows, thereby nurturing individualized growth and specialization.

Program Mission and Aims

The mission of the Sports Medicine Fellowship is to develop future leaders in the field of sports medicine. The program aims to provide comprehensive clinical training and a wide range of opportunities for practical and academic engagement in sports medicine and musculoskeletal clinical care.

Aims of the Fellowship

• To provide extensive clinical training with exposure to diverse environments and coverage missions, including adaptive sports and performing arts.
• To train fellows in the use of diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound and ultrasound-guided procedures, key components in contemporary sports medicine.
• To support academic pursuits through scholarly activities, fostering research and education in sports and musculoskeletal medicine.

Application Process

Applications for the fellowship are accepted through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). The program is designed to be competitive, although it welcomes applications from a broad range of candidates, including those with DO and IMG backgrounds.

Visa Support

The program provides visa sponsorship, including J-1 and H-1B visa types, ensuring that international medical graduates can participate in this fellowship.

Special Application Requirements

Applicants are advised to pay attention to any specific criteria such as year of graduation and limitations on their previous examination attempts, which can affect eligibility for the fellowship.