The aims of the Maine Dartmouth Sports Medicine Fellowship are to:
- Educate fellows in all aspects of sports medicine, from pertinent anatomy and physiology to the fine art of management of an athlete’s illness and injury, with a focus on the whole person.
- Provide clinical and educational experiences that not only support success at earning the Certificate of Added Qualifications in sports medicine but also support proficiency in multiple practice environments and roles, particularly as sports medicine clinicians, educators, and leaders.
- Collaborate with community partners (among them high schools, colleges, sponsors of amateur sporting events) to add value to the community and provide a well-rounded sports medicine experience.
The sports medicine fellowship is designed to provide an educational experience that is both rigorous and enjoyable. It is based at Maine-Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency in Augusta, with clinical education sites in Augusta, Waterville, and Oakland. Maine Dartmouth fellows are based in either Augusta or Waterville for their continuity experience and their high school athletics experience but spend time in both locations over the course of the year. Waterville and Augusta are located approximately 20 miles apart, and the curriculum is designed to offer broad exposure to fellows by introducing them to diverse settings.
In addition to strengthening skills by caring for primary specialty and sports medicine continuity patients throughout the year, Maine Dartmouth fellows develop proficiency in:
Acute Sports Medicine Care
Fellows work alongside attendings providing direct care to a high volume of ambulatory sports medicine patients of all ages. This experience is based at MaineGeneral Orthopaedics, which has offices in Augusta and Oakland and serves the greater central Maine region. To learn more about MaineGeneral Orthopaedics, click here.
Care of the High School Athlete
Fellows run training room rounds on a weekly basis, see patients at the request of the athletic trainer, and provide sideline coverage while the high schools are in session. One fellow is based at Cony High School in Augusta for the year and the other fellow is based at Messalonskee High School in Oakland.
Care of the College Athlete
Fellows work with athletes in two Division III liberal arts colleges, Colby College in the NESCAC (New England Small College Athletic Conference), and Thomas College in the North Atlantic Conference.
Mass Participation Event Coverage
Fellows cover a number of events ranging from small local competitions to larger events with national attention. More on Mass Participation Events.
Electives, didactics, and scholarly activity are also integral to the Maine Dartmouth Sports Medicine Fellowship curriculum. Opportunities to teach medical students & residents, both in the office and in didactics, allow fellows to solidify their learning.
Electives
Elective experiences are interspersed throughout the year, with greater frequency when high schools and colleges are out of session. Elective opportunities include but are not limited to:
- Spine Surgery
- Neuromuscular Medicine
- Strength & Conditioning
- PT/OT
- Hand Surgery
- PM&R
- Joint Replacement/Osteoarthritis
- Primary Care Sports Medicine
- Orthopedic Sports Medicine
Fellows participate in a two-week block at Killington Medical Clinic. This experience is designed to maximize exposure to acute sports medicine injuries. Based at the foot of a popular ski mountain, the clinic is readily accessible for treatment of sports-related injuries including acute fractures, dislocations, knee injuries (ACLs) and concussions.
Didactics
Dedicated educational sessions afford fellows time to explore sports medicine-related topics in detail. See our didactics page to learn more.
Scholarly Activity
Fellows participate in investigator-initiated research projects mentored by fellowship faculty in addition to case-based scholarly activity that culminates in poster presentations at national conferences.
