FAQs

Common Questions About the Fellowship

I am a Family Medicine, Internal Medicine or ER resident. Can I apply for an ACGME Pediatrics program?: Yes. Our program is accredited by the ACGME through Pediatrics. We accept applicants from Family Medicine, Internal Medicine as well as ER. We provide both pediatric- and family medicine-based sports clinic experiences for all our fellows. This allows everyone to receive a very well-rounded education. All ACGME Sports Medicine Fellowships are required to meet the same criteria for accreditation, regardless of the primary specialty. The only difference is the residency program that the fellowship is associated with.
Is your program in ERAS? When can I apply?: ERAS applications are available for submission after July 1. They are reviewed on a rolling basis and individuals are considered for an interview once their application is completed. We are currently listed as: Pediatric Sports Medicine - Case Western Reserve University / University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center / Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital Program.
What is the program listed under through NRMP?: We are currently listed under Sports Medicine (Pediatrics) as Case Western / University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center - OH. We have a Traditional Track, listed as NRMP # 1552333F0, and we have an Osteopathic Track, listed as NRMP#1552333F1.
When are interviews held?: Interviews are held on Wednesdays and Fridays throughout October and November.
Do I have to apply for the Osteopathic track if I am a DO?: No. The Osteopathic Track is an optional track through the fellowship. It currently is under NRMP #1552333F1.
What are the qualifications for the Osteopathic Track?: Any graduate of an osteopathic medical school may apply. Also, MDs (allopathic physicians) may apply to the Osteopathic Track if they are interested in developing osteopathic skills. A letter of recommendation from an osteopathic physician is required. Completion of an osteopathic rotation or course is recommended prior to the start of fellowship. Online education in Osteopathic Principles and Practices may be required before the start of fellowship for MD applicants who are accepted.
How long is the fellowship?: The fellowship program is 1 year and runs from July 1st thru June 30th of the following year.
What sports do I get to cover?: All our fellows get exposed to a large and diverse group of sideline sports coverage. At the high school level, most fellows provide coverage for: football, soccer, wrestling, hockey, basketball, softball / baseball and/or lacrosse. At the collegiate level, fellows provide coverage for football, soccer, field hockey, basketball, gymnastics, wrestling, track and lacrosse. Fellows are exposed to professional athlete care through the Cleveland Browns. Our fellows also provide race day coverage for the Cleveland Triathlon and the Cleveland Marathon.
Do I take call or have inpatient duties?: Our fellowship does not have any call. Fellows have no inpatient rotations. However, if a patient is admitted from our clinics or one of the schools we cover, we have the fellow follow the athlete while they are in the hospital.
What scholarly activity is required?: We require all our fellows to attend the AMSSM Annual Fellows' Research Conference in July at the start of the fellowship. Fellows have the opportunity for online case publications regularly. All fellows are required to submit a case or clinical research for presentation at either AOASM or AMSSM Annual Meetings in the spring.
What funding is available for CME support?: All fellows receive $1000 to use towards a non-presenting conference or other educational expenses and an additional $1000 to use towards a presenting conference.
How much time off do I get for vacation and CME?: All fellows get 20 flexible vacation days and five CME days to use at the discretion of the fellow and the program director.
What exposure do I get to teaching?: Our fellowship is based at a teaching hospital. Medical students and residents from various primary care fields rotate through clinics with our fellows. This allows fellows the opportunity to teach learners at the bedside. All fellows participate in a mandatory teaching symposium during their fellowship. Academic lectures on sports medicine specific subjects are provided by the fellows for learners throughout the hospital system several times a year. Community based lectures for coaches, parents and athletes are also provided by fellows several times a year.
What kinds of jobs do your fellows get?: Our fellows have gone on to secure excellent jobs in diverse settings. The majority of our fellows pursue academic appointments at medical centers. We also have fellows in large multispecialty groups, the urgent care setting, and primary care clinics. All our fellows have stayed active in AMSSM and / or AOASM and regularly attend meetings. Our fellows are in geographically diverse jobs - with fellows as far west as Anchorage, Alaska, as far south as Corpus Christi, Texas, and as far east as Wilmington, Delaware.
I have more questions, who can I contact?: Please contact the Program Director, Dr. Susannah Briskin, at SusannahBriskin@UHhospitals.org or 440-914-7865 with any further questions about the program. Kimberly Bolt serves as the Program Coordinator and she can be reached at kimberly.bolt@uhhospitals.org.