Sports Medicine

At St. Joseph Medical Center Sports Medicine Fellowship our goal is to recruit the highest-qualified physicians to train in a multi-faceted environment leading to the development of high-caliber sports medicine physicians. Our program is developed and associated with Commonwealth Orthopaedic Associates & Sports Medicine, a multi-disciplinary multi-physician specialty practice, and St. Joseph Family Practice Residency Program. The program has been awarded full accreditation by the AOA Residency Review Committee and meets all the standards established by the American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine.

Training a sports medicine physician requires multi-dimension experiences in musculoskeletal medicine and orthopaedics. Through our relationship with Commonwealth Orthopaedic Associates, the fellow enjoys clinical rotation experiences with 2 Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship trained physicians and an Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Fellowship trained surgeon. Additional orthopaedic clinical experiences in trauma orthopaedics, hand surgery, foot surgery, and pediatric orthopaedics are offered.

Working with athletes in a team sports environment and collaborating treatment with certified athletic trainers and physical therapists is an essential component of sports medicine. The fellow acts as team physician for a local high school and NCAA Division – III University, providing both event coverage and training room clinics. Additional event coverage at the high school and collegiate levels are provided in conjunction with attending physicians. Professional sports experiences with fellowship faculty are provided in ice hockey, baseball, and arena football. Through these relationships the fellow becomes an integral part of the multi-disciplinary care team in treating acute injuries, overuse syndromes, and rehabilitating athletes for return to sport. The fellow also gains experience in mass participant event coverage through attending the Keystone State games, Philadelphia Triathlon at Fairmount Park, and Commerce Bank US Cycling Race. National marathon experience at the Marine Corp. Marathon Symposium is also offered.

Scholarly research is an essential component of any fellowship training program. Our program participates in national conferences annually, and the fellow is required to both submit and present his/her research or case studies at the national level. Additional didactic instruction is accomplished through journal clubs, medical lecture series, and training room sessions.

Maintenance of primary board skills are accomplished in conjunction with St. Joseph Family Practice center where the fellow enjoys the opportunity to continually develop his/her skills with a once weekly continuity clinic. Interaction with the residency program by preceptorship of residents in the clinic and by monthly lectures is also provided.

SJMC offers the fellow a competitive PGY-4 salary in addition to health/life insurance benefits and personal vacation time. Other benefits include CME stipend, travel reimbursement, lab coats, and professional licensure and society dues.