Center for Athletic Medicine - Sports Medicine Fellowship Program

Rotation Descriptions:

MSK Medicine (2 rotations)

The first two months of the fellowship year will be spent working with sports medicine physicians in their sports medicine clinics helping Fellows develop a strong foundation. The Fellows will work closely with faculty at a variety of practice locations. During these months, Fellows will hone their musculoskeletal examination skills, radiographic interpretation skills, and become proficient in a variety of musculoskeletal injection techniques.

Sports Surgery (2 rotations)

This rotation is designed to give the fellow experience with orthopedic sports surgeons primarily in the office setting to better gain understanding of indications, options, and recovery from surgical intervention. To maximize diversity of experience, the fellow will rotate with various surgeons during these months. The fellow has the opportunity to spend operative time (if desired) with our orthopedic sports surgeons to better understand surgical techniques and considerations to help better educate their patients.

MSK Radiology (1 rotation)

The Fellow will spend time with our world-class musculoskeletal radiologists in a hospital setting. Emphasis will be on reading x-rays, MRI, ultrasound, and CT scan of the extremities and spine, as well as indications, limitations, and proper utilization of these tests.

Orthopedic Trauma (1 rotation)

Fellows rotate with orthopedic trauma specialists in their outpatient clinic to gain experience with management a variety of fractures, dislocations, and other traumatic musculoskeletal injuries.

Spine (1 rotation)

Here, the Fellows rotate with our fellowship trained sports physiatrists in their dedicated spine clinic where they gain exposure to comprehensive non-operative spine care. They gain experience in the interpretation of advanced imaging of the neck and back as well as exposure to EMG and epidural injections.

Foot, Ankle and Hand (1 rotation each)

The Fellows rotate with our fellowship trained foot and ankle/hand orthopedic surgeons in their outpatient clinic where they gain additional experience in management of common orthopedic complaints from a specialty surgeon’s perspective. 

In-Office Procedures (1 rotation)

Fellows will preferentially rotate with our sports medicine physicians who perform a high volume of in-office procedures so that they can gain experience and comfort with performing:

• platelet rich plasma/other orthobiologic injections
• needle tenotomy
• barbotage
• Tenex

Sports Physiology (1 rotation)

The fellow is exposed to the principles of exercise physiology through didactic and clinical experience with our exercise physiology and pulmonology colleagues that provides exposure to both cardiac and pulmonary exercise stress testing.

Elective (2 rotations)

The schedule allows for 4 weeks of elective experience to help the fellow meet their own educational goals. Most Fellows opt to spend additional time with their Sports Medicine faculty in the outpatient clinic setting, but this is not mandatory. The experience can be divided into multiple areas if desired. The elective plan must be approved by the fellowship director by March 1st (unless they plan to spend the month with the SM faculty).

Continuity Experience in Primary Specialty Area

It is required that Sports Medicine Fellows spend at least a half-day each week maintaining their skills in their primary specialty. Family Medicine, Pediatric and Internal Medicine trained Fellows typically spend a half-day weekly in an outpatient primary care clinic. Emergency Medicine trained Fellows will work a day every 1 to 2 weeks in the Henry Ford Emergency Department. PM&R trained Fellows will spend a half-day weekly in non-operative Spine Clinic. These clinics run from August through June.

Sports Medicine Fellow Clinic

This unique experience allows for the fellow to grow towards independent practice of sports medicine. Fellows are scheduled to see their own panel of patients in the Sports Medicine Clinic at the world Class Henry Ford/Detroit Pistons Performance center (link to DPPC). This clinic is precepted by the Program Director. These Clinics run August through June and are designed to give the fellow experience and comfort in autonomous practice.

University Training Room

Fellows will see athletes in their University Training Room weekly. The day and time will be dependent on the specific University to which the Fellow is assigned.

Game/Event Coverages

Another highlight of the program is the robust coverage exposure to all levels of sporting competition. Each fellow will be assigned a primary high school and University to cover through the year. Henry Ford is a regional leader in sports medicine and provides coverage for the following:

• High Schools
• Universities: Lawrence Technological University, Oakland University, Wayne State University
• Professional: Detroit Pistons, Detroit Tigers
• Other: Detroit Free Press/TCF Bank Marathon, Michigan Winter Special Olympics, Michigan Opera House

Additional Education Events

Fellow Didactics

Fellows will attend a weekly didactic lecture, provided by SM faculty members.

SM Grand Rounds

SM Grand Rounds take place monthly (9-10 annually). A variety of guest speakers, and faculty members will provide lectures on various topics. Each Fellow will also provide a Grand Rounds lecture on a topic of their choice (must be approved by the Program Director).

Orthopedic Surgery Grand Rounds

Orthopaedic Surgery Grand Rounds take place weekly, starting in August. Except when conflicting with SM Grand Rounds, Fellow will attend Orthopaedic Surgery Grand Rounds. Along with a variety of MSK topics, these lectures include Quality Improvement, Patient Safety, and Clinical Practice topics.

Journal Club

SM Journal Club is meant to teach Fellow how to critically assess sports medicine literature, Medical and MSK topics will be included. Articles will be selected by the Fellows (must be approved by the Program Director). There are typically 6-9 Journal Club events through the year.

Ultrasound Workshops

Ultrasound workshops will give Fellows a hands-on experience in the use of point of care ultrasound of the MSK system. The workshops will be taught by SM faculty members in the Henry Ford Simulation Laboratory and Sports Medicine clinics.

Scholarly Activity

Fellows are expected to complete a scholarly activity project. At a minimum, the Fellow will be expected to write a case presentation to be submitted for presentation at the American Medical Society of sports Medicine conference in the spring of the of the fellowship year. Additional cases may be submitted for presentation at the American College of Sports Medicine or other meetings. Ideally, the fellow will create a unique research project with the goal of completing the project during their fellowship year (or making substantive progress in a year). Projects will be done in conjunction with the research department at Henry Ford Health. Access to the research development division of Henry Ford and statistical analysis is available. Fellows will be mentored in their projects by the Program Director and other faculty members as appropriate. All projects require approval by the Program Director, and the process will begin after the Match, but before the official start of the fellowship year. The outcomes of the project should be written up with intent to publish.