UPMC Medical Education (Harrisburg) Program

The Sports Medicine Fellowship at UPMC in Central Pennsylvania is a well-structured program located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. It offers a community-based sports medicine experience and is designed for residents from ACGME accredited family medicine, internal medicine, and emergency medicine residencies. One fellowship position is available each year, and the program received initial ACGME accreditation in 2018.

The fellowship spans 12 months, with applications accepted from July 1 to September 1 annually through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Virtual interviews are conducted from mid-September to late November. The program emphasizes a hybrid longitudinal/block curriculum integrating hands-on clinical experience with rigorous educational components.

Curriculum

The curriculum is divided into longitudinal experiences and block rotations. The longitudinal component includes weekly sessions with sports medicine and orthopedic attending physicians as well as time dedicated to high school team coverage. Each fellow has a half-day per week devoted to their primary specialty and a half-day for research activities. Block rotations feature diverse specialties such as concussion rehabilitation, sports psychology, nutrition, podiatry, pediatric cardiology, and musculoskeletal radiology.

Clinical Experiences

Clinical experiences are integral to the fellowship, with fellows participating in comprehensive treatment plans that include initial evaluations and follow-up visits for athletes. Fellows have opportunities for event coverage for NCAA tournaments and sideline coverage for Millersville University's varsity sports, contributing to their practical learning.

Didactics

The didactic component includes a musculoskeletal ultrasound curriculum tailored to the needs of sports medicine, offered through one-on-one sessions with the fellowship director. Additionally, the program engages in weekly AMSSM virtual lectures and facilitates access to the UPMC orthopedic surgery residency program for relevant lectures.

Clinical Settings and Locations

The UPMC Community Osteopathic is where much of the fellowship training is based. This facility offers an outpatient sports medicine office with a dedicated procedure room equipped for diagnostic and guided injections. Similarly, the UPMC West Shore office provides facilities for evaluations and procedures, including ultrasound-guided injections.

Millersville University plays a crucial role in athlete care, providing a platform for fellows to gain exposure to a range of athletic events and team dynamics.

Faculty and Mentorship

The fellowship is supported by a team of experienced faculty with expertise in family medicine and sports medicine. Key faculty members have backgrounds that include serving as team physicians and engaging in community sports medicine initiatives. The faculty's diverse clinical interests provide fellows with a rich learning environment that supports their professional development.

Fellowship Competitiveness

The Sports Medicine Fellowship is known to be highly competitive. Interested candidates should have completed their residency in family medicine, internal medicine, or emergency medicine from accredited programs. The program welcomes applications from diverse backgrounds, including DOs and international medical graduates, making it a friendly environment for a range of candidates.

Special Application Requirements

Applicants should meet specific prerequisites such as having graduated from their residency program within a certain timeframe. Details about the maximum fail limit for STEP exams and other evaluation criteria are emphasized in the application process. This ensures that the program selects candidates who are well prepared for the challenges of fellowship training.

Visa Support

The program offers visa sponsorship for international medical graduates, facilitating opportunities for foreign nationals to participate in the fellowship. The visa types supported include J-1 and H-1B visas, which are common pathways for medical training in the United States.