PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center Program

The Family Medicine of Southwest Washington Sports Medicine Fellowship is located in Vancouver, WA, directly across the Columbia River from Portland, OR. Vancouver is known for its rich community, featuring a population of approximately 162,000 residents. The Fellowship is based at the Family Medicine of Southwest Washington (FMSW), which is a large, free-standing medical and hospital-supported clinic situated near downtown Vancouver. The program is sponsored by the PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center, which also sponsors the Family Medicine Residency established in 1995. Although the Fellowship is relatively young, established in 2015, it boasts extensive faculty experience, institutional excellence, and a commitment to high-quality training experiences across a variety of settings, preparing graduates for practice in various fields including primary care and orthopedic medicine 1.

Curriculum Highlights

The Fellowship is designed to provide a comprehensive training curriculum, featuring a variety of experiences to prepare fellows for successful careers in sports medicine. Key components of the curriculum include:

• Primary Care Sports Medicine clinics with Family Medicine and Physiatry faculty utilizing Sports Ultrasound for diagnosis and intervention.
• Orthopedic clinics with board-certified Sports Medicine surgeons at Rebound Orthopedics and Neurosurgery.
• Weekly didactic sessions alongside Sports Ultrasound training in partnership with the Sports Fellowship at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU).
• Involvement in orthopedic surgeries, physical therapy clinics, casting, and splinting clinics, plus access to the OHSU exercise physiology laboratory.
• Unopposed Team Physician experience caring for NCAA Division I collegiate athletes and 4A football athletes at local high schools.
• Participation in mass participation events such as the Portland Rock-n-Roll Marathon and the Vancouver USA Marathon.
• Optional training at ski clinics and professional MMA events as well 1.

Training Sites

Training takes place in multiple esteemed settings, including:

• Family Medicine of Southwest Washington in Vancouver, WA—offering a comprehensive range of services including sports medicine, physical therapy, and special clinics.
• Rebound Orthopedic and Neurosurgery Clinic—providing extensive orthopedic services with a strong emphasis on sports medicine.
• University of Portland—offering an athletic program where fellows assist team physicians and participate in extensive coverage of sporting events.
• Oregon Health and Science University—where fellows gain valuable experience in ultrasound training and other educational activities 4.

Benefits and Compensation

The fellowship offers a highly competitive salary and a range of benefits tailored to support fellows throughout their training. The benefits package includes:

• 21 days of Personal Time-Off, including holidays.
• Comprehensive health benefits covering medical, dental, and vision.
• Full coverage for licenses and board exam fees.
• Financial support for continuing medical education (CME) including attendance at annual meetings like the AMSSM and ACSM.
• Access to recreational activities in the Vancouver and Portland area without on-call duties, providing fellows ample opportunity to engage in the local culture and outdoor lifestyle.

Visa Support

The Family Medicine of Southwest Washington program does not sponsor visas for International Medical Graduate (IMG) applicants. Successful applicants must provide proof that they can legally work in the U.S., thereby limiting eligibility for international candidates seeking visa sponsorship 2.

Application Requirements

To qualify for the Fellowship, candidates must have completed an ACGME-accredited residency in Family Medicine. Important eligibility criteria and application details include:

• All applications must be submitted through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) and prospective fellows are required to register with the ERAS Fellowship Documents Office.
• Applications may consist of USMLE scores, COMLEX scores, medical school transcripts, letters of recommendation, photos, and personal statements.
• Eligibility for application typically begins from mid-June through September 15, following the stipulations outlined by the AMSSM website.

Competitiveness

The fellowship program is known to be competitive, and it is essential for applicants to present strong applications that highlight their medical training experiences and commitment to sports medicine.

Faculty

The program is led by renowned faculty members with extensive backgrounds in both Family Medicine and Sports Medicine. Key faculty include:

• Dr. Kevin deWeber, a respected figure in the field, serves as the Program Director and has a wealth of experience working with elite athletes, including roles at the Olympic level.
• Dr. Jerod Cottrill and Dr. Jerome DaSilva, both of whom are highly regarded in sports medicine and rehabilitation fields.

This structure reflects a dedicated team of educators and practitioners in sports medicine who are committed to advancing the skills and knowledge of their fellows 5.