Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship

Our curriculum is designed to provide:

• Extensive procedural training, including ultrasound-guided injections, compartment pressure testing and concussion management.
• Multidisciplinary rotations on orthopaedics, radiology, physiatry, pediatrics, cardiology, nutrition and psychology.
• Longitudional continuity clinics and progressive autonomy under the supervision of nationally recognized faculty.
• Opportunities for scholarly activity, including research, quality improvement and presentations at national fellowships.

With one fellow per year, fellows receive uniquely personalized training, close mentorship, frequent feedback and the opportunity to function as a team physician for multiple sports teams including NCAA Division I programs.

Clinical Rotations

The fellow spends approximately four half-days per week in primary care sports medicine clinics at Northwestern University Student Health Services and the Northwestern Athletic Training Room, providing care for Division I varsity athletes and club sports teams. One half-day per week is dedicated to continuity clinic, and another is reserved for academic/research time. 

The fellow also has weekly orthopedic surgery sports medicine clinical experience. Over the course of the year, the fellow rotates through a wide range of clinical experiences, including orthopedic surgery subspecialties, musculoskeletal radiology, pediatric sports medicine at Lurie Children’s Hospital and physiatry at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.

Additional rotations include sports nutrition, psychology, cardiology and physical therapy. Elective time is built into the schedule, allowing fellows to pursue specialized interests or away rotations.

Schedule 

Curriculum structure and rotation schedules are reviewed annually and may be subject to change based on institutional resources, faculty availability and evolving educational priorities.

Throughout the year, fellows participate in structured didactic sessions, including biweekly team physician case discussions, monthly Sports Medicine Grand Rounds, and journal clubs. Hands-on workshops in casting/splinting, wound care/suturing and emergency sideline care are held at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and on the Northwestern Evanston campus. The AbilityLab also hosts a cadaver musculoskeletal ultrasound workshop series that culminates in a weekend-long seminar.

Fellows gain extensive sideline experience covering Big Ten collegiate varsity sports, club teams, and mass participation events such as the Chicago Marathon, with exposure to the care of professional athletes from the MLB (Chicago Cubs) and NHL (Chicago Blackhawks).

The Primary Care Sports Medicine fellowship program participates in the AAMC’s Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Visit the ERAS for Applicants website to submit an application.

Application Timeline

Applicants must apply by Oct. 1 for a fellowship start the following year.

The next program start date is July 15, 2026.

Requirements and Eligibility

Applicants must have successfully completed an ACGME-accredited residency in pediatrics, family medicine, internal medicine, combined internal medicine/pediatrics or emergency medicine.  Applicants must be board certified or board-eligible and be eligible for a medical license in the state of Illinois.