Mission

The Sports Medicine Fellowship cultivates highly skilled military sports medicine physicians, fosters impactful leadership, and drives positive change both within the organization and in the broader community.

Vision

To be the premier Military Sports Medicine Fellowship Program, renowned for producing elite physician-leaders who excel in providing world-class sports medicine care to service members, optimizing performance, and influencing positive health outcomes across the military and civilian communities.

Aims

Cultivating Leaders: The National Capital Consortium's Military Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship

Our program is designed to develop exceptional military sports medicine physicians who excel in six key areas:

Aim 1 - Building Clinical Expertise:

Fellows receive advanced training in the evaluation, management, and treatment of sports-related injuries and conditions. We focus on the unique needs of military personnel and athletes, ensuring they return to peak performance safely and efficiently.

Aim 2 - Fostering Leadership Skills:

We equip fellows with the leadership competencies to become effective team leaders, policy influencers, and advocates for evidence-based practices within sports medicine. This prepares them to navigate complex healthcare environments and champion positive change.

Aim 3 - Encouraging Research and Scholarship:

The program fosters a stimulating research environment, encouraging fellows to engage in projects that advance the understanding of sports medicine. These projects not only enhance patient care but also contribute valuable knowledge to the scientific literature, shaping the future of the field.

Aim 4 - Enhancing Interdisciplinary Collaboration:

We recognize the importance of teamwork. Fellows develop strong collaborative skills, fostering seamless partnerships with other healthcare professionals. This ensures comprehensive, patient-centered care and facilitates the exchange of knowledge for the continuous improvement of sports medicine practices.

Aim 5 - Promoting Community Outreach:

We instill a commitment to community service. Fellows are encouraged to share their expertise through educational initiatives and outreach programs within local high schools and colleges. This not only benefits the community but also allows fellows to hone their communication and educational skills.

Aim 6 - Developing Military Medical Leaders:

Our program is specifically designed to create well-rounded military medical leaders. Graduates leave prepared to excel in leadership roles, leveraging their sports medicine expertise to enhance the health, readiness, and performance of service members across all branches of the military.

Through this comprehensive approach, the National Capital Consortium's Military Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship cultivates leaders in the field of sports medicine, evidence-based practice, and the readiness and well-being of our nation's military heroes.

Unparalleled Academic Excellence: Shaping Champions in Sports Medicine

Our program stands alone as the undisputed #1 fellowship in the nation based on board scores. This prestigious distinction is a testament to our unwavering commitment to providing fellows with the highest caliber education and training. Throughout the intensive fellowship year, fellows are immersed in a rich learning environment that includes:

Over 320 Hours of In-Depth Didactic Training

Our esteemed faculty, augmented by a distinguished network of national and international guest lecturers, delve into a comprehensive range of sports medicine topics. This ensures fellows graduate with a mastery of the latest theories and practices.

Clinical Experiences and Bedside Mentorship

The didactic curriculum seamlessly integrates with invaluable hands-on learning opportunities. Fellows gain practical experience alongside our expert faculty, solidifying their clinical skills through immersive bedside teaching.

Flexible Appointment Scheduling

We tailor the learning experience for optimal impact. Early in the year, fellows benefit from extended 60-minute appointments, maximizing personalized instruction and feedback. As fellows progress, they transition to 30-minute appointments, allowing for increased patient volume and honing their clinical efficiency.

This exceptional combination of academic rigor, diverse faculty expertise, and practical application empowers our fellows to become true champions in the field of sports medicine. They graduate not just with exceptional knowledge but also with the confidence and skills to excel in their chosen path.

Our fellows complete the following rotations:

• Outpatient Clinic - 5 months
• Orthopaedics - 7 months

Our 1-year fellowship training program does not offer any elective rotations.

Our fellows do not take any call.

Unparalleled Military-Focused Training: Building Resilience for Battlefield and Beyond

Our program sets itself apart with a distinctive military curriculum, meticulously crafted to prepare fellows for the unique demands of military medicine. This comprehensive program equips fellows with the essential skills and knowledge to excel in any environment:

Essential Medical Skills

• Trauma and austere/wilderness medicine training ensures fellows can deliver exceptional care in even the most challenging settings.
• Fellows gain expertise in evidence-based rehabilitation to optimize patient recovery.
• We integrate MEDEVAC transport and operational skills, preparing them for real-world scenarios.
• Through immersive experiences, fellows gain a firsthand understanding of the needs of "America's Team" by embedding with operational units.

Combat Readiness

• We are actively exploring the integration additional operational training further enhancing combat readiness.

This unique blend of theoretical and practical training fosters well-rounded military medical professionals equipped to serve with unwavering dedication our nation's heroes.

Our program does not have any required courses.

• Monthly dedicated lectures by renowned experts provide fellows with a strong foundation in leadership principles.
• Practical opportunities to hone leadership skills are woven throughout the program. Fellows gain experience managing medical tents, teaching students, and collaborating with external units.
• Established Memorandums of Understanding with various units offer invaluable real-world exposure.

Research (create ‘shovel-ready’ project for next duty station or perform ongoing research)

Scholarly Activities Curriculum: A Deep Dive

This curriculum delves into the world of scholarly activities, equipping you with the skills to become a well-rounded sports medicine expert.

The Three Pillars of Scholarly Activity

Scholarly activity encompasses a broad spectrum of contributions to the field. Here, we explore the three main pillars:

Discovery

This could involves sharing your findings with the scientific community through publications reviewed by experts in peer-reviewed journals.

Dissemination

This involves sharing existing knowledge through various formats:

• Review Articles: Analyzing and synthesizing current research on a specific topic.
• Book Chapters: Contributing a section to a comprehensive textbook.

Application

This involves translating research findings into practical applications:

• Case Reports: In-depth study of a single, unique patient case.
• Case Series: Examination of multiple related patient cases.
• Presentations: Sharing your work at scientific meetings like USAFP, AMSSM, ACSM.

Developing Your Research Skills

This curriculum prepares you to design and conduct impactful research:

• Clinical Study Design: Craft a research plan addressing specific questions.
• Specific Aims: Formulate clear and concise objectives for your study.
• IRB Review: Learn to prepare a research protocol and present it for ethical approval by a mock Institutional Review Board.
• Data Collection & Analysis: Master the process of gathering and interpreting research data using statistical methods.
• Manuscript Writing: Develop the skills to write clear and concise reports of your research findings.
• Literature Review: Conduct a thorough examination of existing research relevant to your area of interest.
• Research Participation: Actively contribute to ongoing research projects by assisting with data collection or manuscript preparation.

Dissemination and Presentation

Sharing your work is crucial for advancing knowledge. This curriculum will refine your presentation skills:

• Project Preparation: Develop your case for presentation and possibly publication.
• Mock IRB Presentation: Practice presenting your research to a mock IRB to prepare for real-world IRB submissions and subsequent data collection, analysis, and manuscript writing.
• Critical Evaluation: Learn to critically assess research papers and identify potential flaws or biases.
• Applying Research Findings: Bridge the gap between research and practice by understanding how to utilize research results in patient care.
• Peer Review: Develop the ability to evaluate research proposals and published articles for scientific merit and practical application.

Showcasing Your Expertise

This curriculum encourages you to share your knowledge at various platforms:

• Poster Presentation: Create a visual summary of your research for display at scientific meetings.
• Podium Presentation: Deliver a formal oral presentation of your research at regional or national meetings (USAFP, AMSSM, ACSM).

Publication and Authorship

Publishing your work is a hallmark of scholarly activity. This curriculum provides opportunities to:

• Peer-Reviewed Publication: Collaborate with faculty to publish research papers, reviews, or book chapters in respected journals.

Formal Lectures

This curriculum encourages formal lecturing opportunities:

• Sports Medicine Meetings: Present a topic at regional (USAFP, MCM), national (AMSSM, AAFP), or international (ACSM, IOC) conferences.

By completing this comprehensive curriculum, you'll be well-equipped to make significant contributions to the field of sports medicine through scholarly activity!

Quality Improvement Initiatives: Advancing Care Through Collaboration

Our program fosters a culture of continuous improvement, actively engaging fellows and faculty in collaborative quality improvement projects. A dedicated Quality Improvement Committee, led by a fellow and a faculty member, provides valuable guidance and tracks the project's progress.

One particularly impactful initiative focuses on developing evidence-based rehabilitation handouts designed to directly benefit patient care. This project leverages the expertise of our esteemed fellows and core faculty. The team creates and distributes these resources through multiple electronic channels to maximize accessibility:

CHAMP RX3 Website

Handouts are uploaded on the CHAMP RX3 website, ensuring wider availability for healthcare providers across the network.

MHS GENESIS Platform

We are actively pursuing inclusion on the MHS GENESIS platform, further expanding reach and impact.

This comprehensive approach demonstrates our unwavering commitment to knowledge sharing and its direct impact on improving patient outcomes. By creating readily available, evidence-based resources, we empower healthcare providers to deliver exceptional care.

Comprehensive Professional and Leadership Development: Building Leaders Who Heal

Building upon the strong foundation of the LIFE curriculum, our program offers a robust professional development track. Dedicated monthly Officer Professional Development (OPD) sessions equip fellows with the skills to excel in military medical leadership. These sessions provide a dynamic blend of:

Expert-Led Instruction

Fellows gain invaluable insights from renowned leaders.

Practical Leadership Opportunities

Fellows translate theory into action through real-world applications:

• Leading medical tents at the Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) provides valuable experience in managing complex medical situations in a high-pressure environment.
• Teaching medical students, nurse practitioner students, and family medicine residents hones communication and mentorship skills.
• Collaboration with external units thanks to established MOUs fosters interagency cooperation and broadens fellows' leadership perspective. 

This comprehensive approach fosters the development of strong leadership skills through a combination of theoretical knowledge, practical application, and mentorship.

Fellows serve as a high school football team physician AND assume team physician responsibilities at one of five NCAA schools:

• Naval Academy
• American University
• George Mason University
• Catholic University
• Bowie State University
• Howard University

The ATAMMC Sports Medicine department offers observerships to medical professionals interested in sports medicine. These observerships are intended to provide exposure to the field and its clinical practice.

Eligibility

• USUHS Medical students
• Residents in relevant specialties (e.g., Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Internal Medicine, and Pediatrics)*

Duration

Observerships are typically one to two weeks in length, depending on the observer's goals and schedule.

Activities

Observers will have the opportunity to:

• Work with fellows and physicians in clinics as they evaluate and treat athletes with sports injuries.
• Observe sports medicine procedures (injections, etc.) if appropriate.
• Attend educational conferences and lectures.
• Discuss sports medicine cases with physicians and other healthcare professionals.

Contact

Interested individuals should contact our program coordinator at dha.ncr.ft-belvoir-comm-hosp.list.ncc-sportsmed@health.mil to discuss their goals and availability. The program coordinator will be happy to answer any questions and assist with the application process.

*Please note: Due to limited space, observerships may not be available to all applicants.

Ready to Become a Leader in Military Sports Medicine? Apply Now!

The application process for the National Capital Consortium's Military Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship is straightforward. Here's what you need to do:

1. Consult with Your Specialty Advisor: Discuss your aspirations with your current specialty consultant to ensure this fellowship aligns with your career goals.
2. Submit Your Application: Follow the letter of instruction put out on Mods in July. Ensure you gather all necessary materials and submit your application within the designated timeframe.
3. Schedule an Interview: Once your application is complete, connect with the Program Director via email dha.ncr.ft-belvoir-comm-hosp.list.ncc-sportsmed@health.mil or by telephone at 571-231-2195. Interviews are typically scheduled in August or September.

Important Dates (follow the letter of instruction):

• The Tri-Service GME Selection Board meets in late November.
• Applicants are usually notified of results by mid-December.

We encourage you to apply early! Don't miss this incredible opportunity to become a leader in the field of military sports medicine.

Program graduates take the CAQ Exam. This exam is offered annually. To become fully board certified, applicants are eligible to take board certification exam 1 month prior to graduation. As we are a multi-disciplinary specialty, graduates who desire to take specialty board exams must be board certified by their primary board.

Enhancing Resident and Medical Student Education

Focused Learning Environment

By limiting the number of additional learners to two at a time in our fellowship clinic, we'll ensure learners receive dedicated supervision and have ample opportunity for hands-on experience.

Faculty Mentorship

During the first half of the year, residents will primarily work alongside faculty, allowing for in-depth mentorship and guidance in clinical decision-making.

Fellowship Continuity

Fellows will continue to be instrumental in resident education by delivering lectures, participating in grand rounds, and contributing to the USUHS musculoskeletal module early in the year.

• Marine Corps Marathon
• Virginia Special Olympics
• Naval Academy Boxing Championships
• NCAA Sports Physicals at U.S. Military Academy and U.S. Naval Academy
• Warrior Games

Our Renowned Faculty

Our fellowship program boasts a distinguished faculty of sports medicine experts. Each faculty member is recognized both nationally and internationally for their achievements in the field. This recognition is a testament to their exceptional knowledge, skills, and dedication to advancing sports medicine.

Beyond their impressive accolades, all our faculty members have undergone specialized training in sports medicine. This ensures you'll receive the most up-to-date knowledge and techniques throughout your fellowship experience. Our faculty is passionate about sharing their expertise and fostering a stimulating learning environment where you can thrive.

Mentorship and Confidential Support

Our program recognizes the importance of both professional and personal well-being. To this end, we provide fellows with ongoing support from experienced staff. Scheduled small group mentoring sessions offer guidance on navigating the challenges and opportunities of fellowship training. Additionally, quarterly individual counseling sessions provide a safe and confidential space for fellows to address stress, fatigue, or any other challenges they may encounter. This proactive approach allows for early identification and management of potential issues, promoting a healthy work-life balance and overall well-being.

Overall Program Benefits

This comprehensive approach addresses various aspects of well-being, including:

• Social Connection: Fostering a sense of community through social events and team-building activities.
• Physical Activity: Encouraging participation in refreshing activities like mountain biking and ice skating.
• Mental Health Support: Providing confidential counseling sessions for stress management and proactive well-being.
• Professional Development: Enhancing collaboration and communication skills through team-building exercises.

Through these initiatives, fellows can experience:

• Reduced Stress and Burnout
• Improved Work-Life Balance
• Enhanced Satisfaction with the Training Program

Prioritizing Fellow Well-being in a Demanding Environment

Our fellowship program acknowledges the rigors of advanced training and is firmly committed to fostering the well-being of our fellows. We achieve this through a multi-faceted approach that promotes both professional development and personal wellness.

Building a Supportive Community

We cultivate a strong sense of camaraderie and belonging through regular social events. These include a welcome reception, festive holiday gatherings, and engaging team-building activities.

Team-building exercises are carefully chosen to enhance collaboration and communication skills, essential for a cohesive and successful fellowship experience.

Enhancing Work-Life Balance

Recognizing the importance of decompression, we organize at least eight wellness sessions annually. These sessions offer fellows the opportunity to participate in refreshing activities like mountain biking and ice skating, held outside the clinical setting. Dedicated time off in the afternoon allows for full enjoyment of these activities and promotes a healthy work-life balance.