Education

Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Fellowship

The Allegheny General Hospital Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Fellowship is one-year in length, from August 1 through July 31, and accepts two ACGME accredited fellows per year. Under the direction of Sam Akhavan, MD, the fellow works with the two residents on the service to cover the seven attending faculty members.

The goal of our Sports Medicine Service is to help injured athletes get back into the action—as quickly and safely as possible. We treat a variety of athletic injuries to the musculoskeletal system, with a special focus on shoulder, elbow, and knee injuries. We provide expert, personalized care for professional sports teams, such as the Pittsburgh Pirates and Pittsburgh Riverhounds, colleges such as Slippery Rock University and the Community College of Allegheny County, and numerous area high schools.

Our fellowship-trained surgeons and primary care sports medicine specialists are experts in their respective fields. Using the latest non-operative and operative treatments, our doctors help patients regain function, so they can quickly return to competition or work. Our physicians are on the forefront of pioneering research studies that can lead to even more effective treatment options for sports injuries. Fellows will work with the following Attending Surgeons:

Sam Akhavan, MD
John J. Christoforetti, MD
Patrick J. DeMeo, MD
Darren A. Frank, MD
Dennis J. Phillips, MD
Robert E. Schilken, MD
Scott K. Schweizer, MD

We also are committed to reducing the incidence and severity of sports injuries. Our clinical team is actively involved in educating athletes about injury prevention and recognition. By teaching athletes proper strength building, flexibility, conditioning, endurance and training techniques, we believe we can help them minimize the risk of injury occurrence.

Sports Medicine fellows, in conjunction with the Department of Orthopaedics, are provided with a weekly sports conference in combination with the two non-operative primary care sports medicine fellows. Other available conferences include weekly Grand Rounds, Journal Club, and monthly Morbidity and Mortality conference.
 

Application Process Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Fellowship Program

All applications are handled through the San Francisco Match and should be received by December 1. The Sports medicine Fellowship will not accept any paper applications. Once the application is completed, our staff reviews the application and applies specific criteria to determine which applicants are offered an interview.

The Fellowship Application includes the following: 

• Completed application 
• Personal statement 
• Curriculum vitae 
• Transcript from your medical school 
• Dean's letter 
• Four letters of recommendation 
• USMLE Board score 

If you are a graduate of a foreign medical school, your application must also meet the following requirements: 

• J-1 visa 
• ECFMG certified prior to any interview

All applications should be mailed to 1307 Federal Street, 2nd Floor, attention: Leslie Hays, Pittsburgh, PA 15212.