The National Football League recently announced the roster of medical students who will be participating in the NFL Diversity in Sports Medicine Pipeline Initiative. This league-wide program, which was launched in 2022 in collaboration with the NFL Physicians Society and the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society, aims to increase and diversify the pipeline of students interested in pursuing careers in sports medicine, including working on NFL club medical staffs.
Dr. Allen Sills, the NFL Chief Medical Officer, expressed excitement about the group of participants who will be joining from a variety of medical schools this season. The program’s goal is to attract diverse and underrepresented students into the sports medicine field.
During their month-long rotations, the students will have the opportunity to observe and participate in the care of NFL players. They will work closely with and under the supervision of various medical professionals, including orthopedic team physicians, athletic trainers, dietitians, mental health clinicians, and strength & conditioning coaches. This hands-on experience will allow the students to gain valuable medical knowledge and exposure to patient care in sports medicine.
The students will also learn about return-to-play protocols and on-field treatment considerations for NFL players. By the end of their rotation, they will have a solid understanding of the care provided to NFL players from orthopedic, primary care sports medicine, and athletic training perspectives.
One of the program participants, Michael Baham, shared his excitement about being a part of this initiative. As a student at the University of California Irvine School of Medicine and a program participant with the Los Angeles Chargers, he is thrilled to learn from the multidisciplinary medical teams that provide top-notch care to elite athletes. Baham looks forward to expanding his clinical knowledge on and off the field and is eager to contribute to the NFL’s commitment to diversifying the field of medicine.