Family Medicine residents undergo comprehensive and rigorous training at the University of Utah. The current resident group is eager to learn more and has been requesting additional career-building opportunities and connections with faculty, specifically in sports medicine.
More than half of the residents are interested in pursuing a sports medicine fellowship, a record number for the program. To meet this demand, program leaders decided to create a new sports medicine track to provide additional support to residents interested in pursuing a sports medicine fellowship.
The sports medicine track will come to life through the collaborative efforts of faculty and residents. Chief Resident Annie Gensel, MD, has spearheaded the initiative, developing the track’s requirements. Division of Family & Community Medicine Associate Professors Theodore Paisley, MD, and Scott Hall, MD, will serve as the faculty leads for the track.
“I felt inspired to support the desire of the residents to develop a sports medicine track,” said Hall. “Several residents are very motivated and eager to expand their sports medicine experience, and this track is an ideal way to formally expand their access to sports medicine.”
To address the needs and interests of residents, faculty leads developed the curriculum with input from sports medicine faculty and interested residents. The curriculum will offer increased exposure to sports medicine in clinical settings, enhanced learning through a dedicated sports medicine journal club, advanced ultrasound skills with an emphasis on the musculoskeletal (MSK) system, and opportunities for scholarly activity, including a presentation at the National Sports Medicine Conference.
“Dr. Paisley and Dr. Hall are amazing sports medicine faculty for our residents,” said Gensel. “By creating opportunities to connect routinely, such as through journal club, it allows not only for individual mentoring but group mentoring as well.”
Dr. Hall shared that his involvement in creating the track stemmed from his desire to support resident education and prepare residents for their fellowships. “My goals for this track are to provide increased resident exposure and experience in clinical sports medicine, opportunities for scholarly activity, and a platform for expanding MSK ultrasound,” said Hall.
By completing the sports medicine track, residents will not only exceed core requirements during residency but also develop a strong foundation in sports medicine in preparation for their future careers. In addition to the sports medicine track, two new electives have been introduced: MSK US and Sports Medicine Elective.