University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix Program

Overview

The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix offers a fully accredited Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship, designed to train and empower fellows to become proficient Sports Medicine Specialists. The program emphasizes high-quality care for athletes of all levels, from amateur to professional, and provides a thorough education in sports medicine.

Fellows are inspired to be life-long learners and are trained to be team physicians for various sporting organizations including high schools, colleges, and professional teams. The program also emphasizes essential qualities such as professionalism, compassion, and academic leadership, all while ensuring a flexible training experience that respects self-care and family values.

Clinical Training

The primary teaching site for the program is Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix, located in Scottsdale, AZ. The fellowship provides opportunities for hands-on clinical experience through various centers, such as the Sports Medicine Center and the Sports Concussion Center.

Fellows can also offer on-site sports medicine coverage for club, high school, college, and professional teams. This diverse exposure helps fellows develop skills necessary to handle a wide variety of sports-related injuries and scenarios.

Curriculum and Electives

The curriculum is designed to be comprehensive and includes core rotations alongside opportunities for electives. Areas of focus for electives may include:

• Sports concussion care
• Pediatric orthopedic sports medicine
• Orthopedic spine surgery
• Upper extremity orthopedic surgery
• Foot and ankle orthopedic surgery
• Physical medicine and rehabilitation
• Musculoskeletal imaging
• Orthopedic trauma

This flexible design allows fellows to tailor their education to meet individual career goals and interests.

Faculty and Alumni

The program's faculty comprises a diverse group of professionals specializing in various areas including Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine, and both pediatric and adult Orthopedic Sports Medicine. They provide a wealth of knowledge and experience, having served as team physicians across all levels of sport.

Alumni of the fellowship have gone on to serve as team physicians for college and professional sports organizations, contributing positively to the ongoing legacy and reputation of the training program.

Application Process

Applications for the fellowship must be submitted through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). The application window is from August 1 to October 1 each year. Selection and ranking of applicants are determined based on a combination of input from current residents and faculty.

Key requirements for application include:

• Completion of USMLE Parts 1-3
• Medical school transcript
• Three letters of recommendation, including one from the current program director and two from Sports Medicine providers
• Full ERAS application

Interviews typically begin on October 1, and candidates are assessed on a rolling basis throughout the interview period.

Competitiveness and Visa Sponsorship

The fellowship is considered competitive with a strong emphasis placed on the quality of the applicants. Candidates interested in applying typically hold medical degrees from accredited institutions and will need to meet the specified USMLE requirements.

The program may also offer visa support for international medical graduates, including sponsorship of J-1 or H-1B visas. This enables qualified international applicants to participate in the fellowship training.