Program Overview

Introduction to the Sports Medicine Fellowship

The Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Washington offers a one-year academic fellowship in Sports Medicine. This fellowship is accredited by the ACGME and allows graduates to sit for the Sports Medicine CAQ examination upon completion. The program provides fellows with an outstanding clinical experience, developing them into well-rounded sports medicine and musculoskeletal physiatrists.

Program Overview

The fellowship offers a comprehensive clinical experience, covering all aspects of sports medicine, from pediatric athletes to active seniors. Fellows will also gain experience in general musculoskeletal medicine, musculoskeletal ultrasound, and related regenerative procedures, spine interventions, and EMG/NCS. Hands-on sports medicine experiences include game and sideline coverage, training room experience, and organization of and medical care in mass participation endurance events, as well as premier sports concussion and sports cardiology programs.

Clinical Sites

The fellowship program is based at the seven main clinical sites of UW Medicine Sports and Spine, including:

• Sports Medicine Center at Husky Stadium: Continuity Clinic, PRP and TENEX, Running Medicine, Compartment Testing, Sports Cardiology, CPET/VO2 Testing
• Sports Medicine Center at Harborview: Sports Concussion Program, Casting, EMG/NCS
• Seattle Children's Hospital: Pediatric Sports Medicine, Casting
• UW Roosevelt Center for Pain: Fluoro-guided axial spine/peripheral joint injections
• UW Northwest Hospital: Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT)
• South Lake Union Clinic: Unique Sports & Spine practice embedded within a UW primary care clinic
• Eastside Specialty Center: Community Setting, PRP, EMG/NCS

Faculty

The fellowship program is led by a team of experienced faculty, including:

• Olumide "Lumi" Sokunbi, MD
• Neelwant Sandu, MD
• Pontus B Oberg, DO, FAAPMR
• Christopher McMullen, MD, CAQSM
• Sean Matsuwaka, MD
• Mindy Loveless, MD, MD, FAAPMR
• Cindy Lin, MD, FACSM, FAAPMR
• Brian C Liem, MD, RMSK, CAQ Sports Med
• Brian J Krabak, MD, MBA, FAAPMR, FACSM
• Charles Kenyon, DO, MS, CSCS
• Stephen Johnson, MD, MS, RMSK
• Joseph Ihm, MD, FACSM
• Connie Hsu, MD
• Stanley A. Herring, MD
• Mark A Harrast, MD
• Leah Concannon, MD, FAAPMR, FAMSSM
• Eric T. Chen, MD, MS
• Lyndsey Booker, MD
• Omar Maurice Bhatti, MD, FAAPMR, CAQ Sports Medicine

Fellowship Experience

The fellowship experience includes a robust fellowship didactics program, a structured ultrasound curriculum, a sports concussion curriculum, a spine interventions curriculum, and multi-disciplinary specialty conferences, including Sports Medicine Grand Rounds. Fellows will also have ample teaching opportunities with residents and medical students, as well as opportunities for research and other scholarly activities.

Procedures Taught

The program teaches the following procedures:

1. Diagnostic and Interventional MSK Ultrasound for peripheral joints, tendons, bursa, muscle
2. Regenerative Procedures with US guidance, including tenotomy, ABI, PRP, and Tenex
3. Lumbar Spinal Injections with fluoroscopic guidance
4. ESWT

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants for the Sports Medicine Fellowship must meet the following criteria:

• In the final year of an ACGME-accredited Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation residency program or successful completion
• Successful completion of USMLE or COMLEX
• Eligible for medical licensure in the state of Washington
• Successful applicants should demonstrate a clear interest in Sports Medicine

Application Process

Individuals may apply for the Sports Medicine Fellowship by submitting the following:

• Curriculum vitae
• Three letters of recommendation, including one from the residency program director
• Personal statement that addresses the following:
  1. Explain primary interest in PM&R and Sports Medicine
  2. Why have you chosen UW as a potential for fellowship training?
  3. What is your ideal practice scenario post-fellowship training?

Application Timeline

• Applicants may begin submitting through ERAS in early July
• Deadline for accepting completed applications: August 1
• Interview dates offered in October-November
• The Sports Medicine Fellowship is part of the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) primary care sports medicine fellowship match
• Rank lists are due in early December, and "Match Day" is in early January

Previous Fellows

The program has a strong track record of placing fellows in prestigious positions, including:

• Aarthi Manjunathan, DO
• Andy Hiett, MD
• Adil Malik, MD
• Malia Cali, MD
• Ahmed El-Sayed, DO
• Christina Giacomazzi, DO
• Sherry Igbinigie, MD
• Trevor Gessel, MD
• Chris McMullen, MD
• Nate Olafsen, MD
• Adrielle Fry, MD
• Steve Gingrich, MD
• Matthew Grierson, MD
• Brian Liem, MD
• Dan Colonno, MD
• Leah Concannon, MD
• Erin Maslowski, MD
• Trevin Thurmin, MD
• Kirk Danielson, MD
• Nayna Patel, MD

Program Director and Contact

• Program Director: Brian Liem, MD, RMSK
• Associate Director: Lyndsey Booker, MD

Stipends and Benefits

The fellowship offers a stipend and benefit package updated annually by UW Graduate Medical Education.

News and Events

The program is part of the University of Washington's Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, which offers various resources and opportunities for professional development.