University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine Program

Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship Overview

The Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship is a one-year ACGME-accredited program located at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine. This fellowship is designed to focus on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of medical conditions that are unique to athletes and those engaged in exercise. Successful completion qualifies a physician to apply for the Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) in Sports Medicine 1.

The fellowship is affiliated with the University of Nevada School of Medicine, the Department of Family and Community Medicine, the University of Nevada Athletic Department, and Nevada Physical Therapy. The program is directed by fellowship-trained physicians, ensuring a high-quality training experience for fellows 1.

Curriculum

The curriculum for the Sports Medicine Fellowship is dynamic, employing both rotational and longitudinal learning methods. A significant aspect of the curriculum is the partnership with the University of Nevada Athletics Program, where fellows actively work as the team physicians for the university’s athletic teams. This exposure allows fellows to engage directly with athletes in various settings such as training rooms and sports fields 1.

Fellows participate in musculoskeletal clinics that provide one-on-one clinical experience, including focused training in musculoskeletal and ultrasound skills. Additionally, the fellowship includes a special wilderness medicine component that offers a built-in wilderness rotation along with the possibility of obtaining PADI Dive certification. This unique aspect is complemented by a six-week ski clinic experience 1.

Training Sites

The training sites for the fellowship include the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine Family Medicine Center, the University of Nevada Athletic Department, and Great Basin Orthopedics. Fellows also have opportunities to practice in the Truckee/Lake Tahoe area, specifically during the winter ski season, enhancing their hands-on experiences in diverse environments 1.

Application Process

To apply for the fellowship, candidates must qualify for Board Certification in Family Medicine and must have a valid medical license in the state of Nevada. Applicants are required to submit: a letter of interest, medical school transcripts, copies of USMLE scores, the AMSSM Code of Ethics, and three letters of recommendation (one must come from the applicant's residency program director) 1. All application materials should be submitted through the ERAS database by the stipulated deadlines, usually around November 1st 1.

Experiences and Research Opportunities

The fellowship provides exposure to working with a variety of athletes, including Division I college athletes, high school athletes, and disabled and aging athletes. Special activities include scuba diving at Lake Tahoe, participation in the Reno Rodeo, staffing sports medicine tents at the Tahoe Rim Trail Endurance Run, and winter sports rotations at Northstar Ski Resort 2.

A scholarly activity is mandatory, providing fellows with research opportunities that culminate at events like the AMSSM Fellow's Research Conference and the Annual AMSSM Conference. Didactic teaching involves weekly presentations, journal clubs, and lectures focused on fundamental and advanced sports medicine topics 2.

Fellowship Benefits

Fellows enjoy a range of benefits during their training. Paid vacation time is allotted at 15 days per year, along with 15 days of paid sick leave, which also covers parental and maternity leave. Additionally, fellows receive five days of education leave per year and can request a leave of absence if needed 1.

Other benefits include a retirement plan with a University match of 6.2%, lab coats, meals during on-call shifts, free parking at the hospital, and comprehensive health insurance that covers employee and family needs, alongside dental, vision, life, and disability insurance 1.

Competitiveness and Visa Support

The Sports Medicine Fellowship is known to be highly competitive, emphasizing strong applications. It welcomes candidates from both MD and DO backgrounds as well as international medical graduates (IMGs). There are special application requirements, such as the necessity for a valid medical license and board certification 1.

The program supports visa sponsorship options, providing opportunities for international applicants to secure suitable visas to train in the United States 1.