University of Hawaii Program

Overview

The University of Hawai‘i offers a 12-month, ACGME-accredited Sports Medicine Fellowship, specifically designed for board-certified or board-eligible physicians in Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, and Pediatrics. This fellowship program provides additional training in sports medicine, preparing fellows for board certification (CAQ) in this specialty.

The fellowship integrates various clinical experiences including providing medical care to collegiate athletes, emphasizing practical involvement and mentorship under experienced faculty members.

The mission of the University of Hawai‘i Sports Medicine Fellowship is to address the unique healthcare needs of the people of Hawaii through sports and exercise medicine, contributing to local health promotion, wellness initiatives, and scholarly activities related to sports medicine.

Program Structure

The program is affiliated with the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) and Hawai‘i Pacific Health (HPH), ensuring a robust foundation in clinical practice and academic learning. The fellowship offers a comprehensive curriculum focused on several key areas:

Clinical Experiences

Fellows participate in various clinical settings, including:

• Sports Medicine: Direct involvement with athletes from the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, covering 21 NCAA Division I sports.
• Athletic Training: Collaborating within the athletic training room and providing on-site medical supervision.
• Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation: Gaining insights into musculoskeletal injuries through rotations in orthopedic settings.
• Radiology: Learning to interpret diagnostic imaging pertinent to sports injuries.

Didactic Sessions

The educational component includes structured didactic activities, such as:

• Weekly Core Sports Medicine Conferences: Covering essential topics in sports medicine.
• Journal Club: Facilitating critical analysis of current literature.
• Research Methodologies: Dedicated time for research and scholarly activity, ensuring fellows engage meaningfully in ongoing projects or initiate their own.

Research Opportunities

Engagement in research is a mandatory aspect of the fellowship. Each fellow undertakes a significant research project during their tenure, with support from faculty and institutional resources. Fellows can present their findings at national conferences or in peer-reviewed journals, promoting academic contributions to the field of sports medicine.

Training Environment

The training environment is rich with opportunities to engage with interprofessional teams. The multidisciplinary faculty includes specialists in family medicine, pediatrics, orthopedics, and rehabilitation, enhancing the learning experience.

Training sites include:

• University Health Services Mānoa, providing comprehensive student care.
• University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Athletics Department Facilities, catering to a large population of student-athletes.
• Hawai‘i Pacific Health Bone & Joint Centers, where fellows gain exposure to specialized care in orthopedic medicine.

Application Process

The Sports Medicine Fellowship participates in the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP). Applicants should be board-certified or board-eligible in Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, or Pediatrics, with specific examination performance requirements:

• MD applicants must have passed Step 3 of the USMLE.
• DO applicants must have passed the COMLEX-USA Level 3 exam.

Necessary application documents include:

• Three Letters of Recommendation.
• Curriculum Vitae.
• Medical School Dean’s Letter.
• Copies of Medical School Diploma and Medical License.
• A Personal Statement outlining career goals, expectations from the fellowship, and reasons for choosing the University of Hawai‘i.

Visa Sponsorship and Competitiveness

The fellowship program sponsors J-1 visas for international medical graduates (IMGs) who seek to join the fellowship. This program is deemed highly competitive, welcoming both U.S. graduates and international candidates, including DO and IMG applicants.

Eligibility criteria often include being a recent graduate with no significant gaps in training and a strong performance on prior examinations.

Overall, the University of Hawai‘i Sports Medicine Fellowship combines robust clinical training with opportunities for research and academic advancement, set in a unique and diverse healthcare environment. The fellowship is not just a passing through academic training but a comprehensive engagement with the healthcare needs specific to the Pacific region.