Program Overview

Introduction to the Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship

The Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine is designed to prepare physicians to lead in the field of sports medicine. With direct access to world-class faculty, elite athletes, and dynamic clinical settings, our fellows will gain the skills, confidence, and perspective to thrive in any sports medicine environment.

About the Program

This fellowship is a one-year, ACGME-accredited program that immerses trainees in the non-operative management of musculoskeletal and medical conditions in athletes and active individuals. Fellows split their time between Northwestern's Evanston campus, home to over 500 NCAA Division I athletes, and Northwestern Memorial Hospital in downtown Chicago, gaining exposure to both collegiate and urban healthcare environments.

Program Curriculum

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.
• Longitudinal 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 Experience

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.

Learning Objectives

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).

Application Timeline

Applicants must apply by October 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.

Salary and Benefits

Trainee benefits for this fellowship, including stipend, leave, time off, and other resources, are available on the McGaw Medical Center website.

Program Leadership

Fellowship Director

Jeffrey M. Mjaanes, MD

Core Faculty

• Jeffrey Mjaanes, MD - Pediatrics, Sports Medicine
• Rajat Jain, MD - Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Sports Medicine
• Dominique Stevens, MD - Family Medicine, Sports Medicine
• Rachel Erickson, DO - Family Medicine, Sports Medicine
• Alysia Green, MD - Family Medicine, Sports Medicine

Program Coordinator

John Badagliacco MS, ATC

Why Northwestern?

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine offers a world-class academic medical center in a diverse and vibrant city, providing fellows with a unique and enriching training experience. The Department of Family & Community Medicine is committed to providing exceptional education, research, and patient care, making it an ideal institution for fellows to grow and develop as sports medicine professionals.