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Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship

Train with Leaders. Practice with Purpose.

Welcome to the Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, where clinical excellence, innovation, and community-focused care converge to train the next generation of sports medicine leaders. Our one-year ACGME-accredited program is designed to provide fellows with an unparalleled breadth of experience—balancing high-volume clinical care, immersive sideline and event coverage, advanced procedural skills, and academic scholarship. Whether your goal is to work with elite athletes, contribute to medical education, or lead a community-based practice, our program equips you with the skills and mentorship to thrive.

Clinical Training

Colony Park South – Our State-of-the-Art Clinical Home

The heart of our clinical experience is based at Colony Park South, a newly constructed, cutting-edge multispecialty medical facility. This flagship clinic offers fellows a vibrant, interdisciplinary environment where sports medicine is integrated with orthopedics, physical therapy, imaging, behavioral health, and primary care. Fellows manage a diverse panel of patients—from youth and high school athletes to collegiate and weekend warriors—addressing both acute injuries and chronic musculoskeletal issues. The clinic also features on-site radiology and rehabilitation services, allowing for real-time imaging and coordination of care.

Fellows maintain a year-long continuity clinic here, where they follow their own panel of patients under the supervision of core sports medicine faculty. They gain experience in everything from pre-participation physicals and injury prevention counseling to ultrasound-guided procedures and return-to-play assessments. Exposure to sports dermatology, female athlete triad/RED-S, and exercise prescription is also integrated into the continuity experience.

Orthopedic and Subspecialty Rotations

In addition to their primary care duties, fellows rotate throughout the year with subspecialty orthopedists in areas such as sports surgery, hand and wrist, foot and ankle, spine, and shoulder & elbow. During these rotations, fellows observe surgical cases, assist in pre- and post-operative care, and participate in rehabilitation planning. Fellows also have the opportunity to scrub into surgical procedures for educational purposes, gaining valuable insight into operative indications and techniques.

Community-Based Rotations

To enhance their understanding of outpatient and private practice models, fellows also spend time with community-based sports medicine and orthopedic providers. These rotations offer real-world exposure to high-volume clinical practices, practice management, billing and coding, and long-term patient care across all ages and activity levels. Fellows often have the opportunity to work with providers who serve professional athletes, local colleges, or sports clubs.

Academic & Didactic Curriculum

Weekly Didactics

Protected time for education is provided every Monday morning, when fellows attend faculty-led lectures, interactive case conferences, and small group workshops. The curriculum is structured to cover the entire AMSSM Core Curriculum, with topics such as biomechanics, sports cardiology, exercise physiology, adaptive sports, nutrition, and sports psychiatry. Guest speakers include specialists in orthopedic surgery, radiology, rheumatology, and physical therapy.

Imaging & MSK Radiology

Fellows receive dedicated training in diagnostic imaging through weekly sessions with our musculoskeletal radiologists. These sessions cover systematic interpretation of X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and ultrasound findings, with correlation to clinical presentations. Fellows learn to generate and interpret radiology reports and discuss findings with radiologists and orthopedic teams.

Journal Clubs & Research Support

Fellows participate in quarterly journal clubs, where they critically appraise the latest literature in sports medicine. Each fellow is encouraged to initiate or collaborate on a research or quality improvement project, with the expectation of submitting a poster or presentation to a national meeting such as the AMSSM Annual Conference. Dedicated research mentorship is available, and ongoing projects include concussion management, ultrasound-guided procedures, and athlete wellness.

Sports Coverage

Division I Collegiate Athletics – Jackson State University

Our fellows are embedded within the athletic program at Jackson State University (JSU), a Division I NCAA institution known for its strong athletic tradition. Fellows serve as sideline physicians for football and other high-profile sports including basketball, track and field, soccer, and volleyball. Responsibilities include pre-participation evaluations, injury triage, sideline coverage, locker room care, and training room follow-up. Fellows work closely with athletic trainers, team physicians, physical therapists, coaches, and university administration to provide comprehensive athlete care.

High School Team Coverage

Fellows are also assigned to multiple local high schools, where they act as the primary sports medicine physician. Responsibilities include weekly training room visits, sideline coverage for football and other sports, concussion management, and parent/athlete education. This experience offers the opportunity to build relationships with athletes, families, and school staff, and to develop independent clinical decision-making skills.

Mass Participation & Special Events

Our fellows assist in the planning and execution of mass participation events such as marathons, triathlons, cycling races, and law enforcement fitness training (e.g., police academy). They learn about mass casualty planning, medical tent logistics, hydration and heat illness protocols, and on-site emergency response. These events offer exposure to managing real-time emergencies and coordinating care across large teams of medical personnel.

Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Training

Our MSK ultrasound training is led by Dr. Brian Tollefson, a nationally recognized expert and director of MSK ultrasound education at ESP Ultrasound, Inc. With over a decade of teaching experience, Dr. Tollefson has crafted one of the most comprehensive MSK US curriculums in the country.

Fellows participate in weekly scanning labs, hands-on clinical procedures, and didactic sessions covering diagnostic imaging and guided interventions. Training includes ultrasound of all major joints and soft tissue structures, as well as advanced applications like dynamic scanning and hydrodissection. Fellows perform ultrasound-guided injections (e.g., shoulder, hip, knee, plantar fascia) and are encouraged to pursue RMSK certification if desired. Teaching opportunities are available at local and regional ultrasound courses.

Concussion Care & Neurocognitive Management

The fellowship offers a comprehensive approach to concussion care, led by Associate Program Director Dr. Rudy Napodano, who is actively involved in SRC research. Fellows are trained to evaluate and manage acute and prolonged concussions using validated tools including SCAT6, VOMS, BESS, King-Devick, and ImPACT.

Fellows manage concussions across all levels of competition, with special attention to return-to-learn and return-to-play protocols, school coordination, vestibular therapy, and referrals to neuropsychology when needed. Participation in ongoing concussion research is encouraged and supported.

Emergency Medicine Integration

As a program housed within a large academic medical center with an Emergency Medicine (EM) residency, our fellowship provides unique integration with the Emergency Department.

• EM-trained fellows fulfill their continuity requirement by working as attendings in the ED, gaining additional exposure to acute injuries, trauma care, and sports-related emergencies.
• Non-EM fellows conduct their continuity clinics within their core disciplines (Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, PM&R) and are offered elective experience in the ED.
• Fellows from all specialties participate in quarterly simulation training, covering on-field emergencies such as spinal injuries, heat stroke, exertional collapse, and sudden cardiac arrest. These sessions emphasize leadership, triage, and effective communication during high-stress events.

Why Choose Our Fellowship?

• ✅ Comprehensive exposure across all levels of athletic care—from youth to Division I athletes
• ✅ State-of-the-art clinic and training facilities at Colony Park South
• ✅ Integrated orthopedic and subspecialty rotations
• ✅ Nationally recognized musculoskeletal ultrasound curriculum
• ✅ Hands-on sideline and mass event coverage experience
• ✅ Structured didactics and strong scholarly mentorship
• ✅ Emergency medicine integration and simulation training
• ✅ Supportive, collaborative faculty committed to your growth

Our graduates go on to successful careers in academic medicine, private practice, team physician roles, and leadership positions in sports organizations across the country.