The NFL has announced the roster of medical students taking part in the NFL Diversity in Sports Medicine Pipeline Initiative. This league-wide program, launched in 2022 with the NFL Physicians Society and the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society, aims to increase and diversify the pipeline of students interested in sports medicine careers, including those on NFL club medical staffs.
Dr. Allen Sills, Chief Medical Officer of the NFL, stated, “We are thrilled to have an impressive group of participants joining us from a growing roster of medical schools this season as we continue our efforts to bring diverse and underrepresented medical students into the sports medicine professional pipeline.”
During their one-month rotations, students will observe and participate in the care of NFL players, working directly with and under the supervision of orthopedic team physicians, primary care team physicians, athletic trainers, dietitians, mental health clinicians, strength & conditioning coaches, equipment managers and others to gain medical knowledge and exposure to patient care in sports medicine. They will also become familiar with return-to-play protocols and on-field treatment considerations for NFL players.
By the end of their rotation, students will understand the basic elements of all facets of care provided to NFL players from an orthopedic, primary care sports medicine and athletic training perspective. Michael Baham