The NFL, along with the NFL Physicians Society (NFLPS) and the Professional Football Athletic Trainer Society (PFATS), today announced the list of medical students who will participate in the inaugural season of the NFL Diversity in Sports Medicine Pipeline Initiative. increase and diversify the pipeline of students interested in careers in sports medicine and, over time, help diversify NFL club medical staff.
The 14 students selected by their medical schools to participate in the program will complete clinical rotations with NFL club medical staff this fall.
Participating students are from medical schools at four of the country’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs): Charles R. Drew College of Medicine and Science, Howard University College of Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine and Meharry Medical College. Their clinical rotations will focus on primary care sports medicine and/or orthopedic surgery. They will each join the medical staff of one of eight NFL clubs: Atlanta Falcons, Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans and Washington Commanders.
“I am excited to welcome these outstanding medical students to our clubs this fall,” said NFL Chief Medical Officer Allen Sills. “This program will be an opportunity for these students not only to learn from NFL club medical staff, but also to develop mentoring relationships that will help them throughout their careers. As we embark on the first season of this initiative, I am hopeful that our efforts to diversify the pipeline of students interested in Sports Medicine will have positive effects in the medical care that athletes receive beyond NFL players.”
The students selected to participate in the initial season of the program are:
The students’ month-long clinical rotations will begin as the 2022 NFL season begins in September. During their rotations, students will observe and participate in the surveillance of NFL players. Students will work directly with and under supervision of orthopedic team physicians, primary care team physicians, and athletic trainers to gain fundamental knowledge of patient care in sports medicine. Additionally, students will learn about return-to-play guidelines and on-field treatment considerations for NFL players. Students can attend home games and be on the sidelines to watch. By the end of the rotation, students will understand the fundamentals of all aspects of care provided to NFL players from orthopedics, primary care sports medicine, and athletic training.
“We are excited to welcome the first class and host two of our medical students with our team, the 49ers,” said Dr. Timothy McAdams, president of the NFLPS and team physician for the San Francisco 49ers. “It is an honor and a privilege to be a part of this program to bring more diversity to sports medicine.”
“As a young man who had the opportunity to spend time with an NFL club and interact with the medical teams and all that they do, I was inspired to pursue a career in athletic training,” said Reggie Scott, president of PFATS and Los Angeles. Rams vice president, sports medicine and performance. “Today, I’m excited to be able to return to the medical students and host two of them this fall and learn from my colleagues at PFATS.”
In 2023, the program plans to expand to recruit students from additional academic institutions and medical disciplines and place those students with medical staffs at additional NFL clubs.
These efforts are part of the league’s broader commitment to ensure that the staff and leadership of the league front office and NFL clubhouses reflect the racial and gender makeup of America. The initiative builds on existing efforts to recruit and hire a diverse range of medical staff among NFL club medical staff when positions become available in all roles, and to increase diversity on NFL medical boards.
“I am grateful and excited to participate in the NFL Sports Medicine Elective. This is a wonderful opportunity that aligns with my career goals in orthopedic surgery. I am excited to learn from world-class athletes and experts who work together to provide care both on and off the field. This experience in both medicine and sports medicine I think it will help inspire more young people of color who are underrepresented in their careers by seeing people who look like they are achieving these goals in careers like this.” — Kadarius Burgess, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
“This opportunity to be involved in orthopedics on a national stage like the NFL is something I could never have imagined in my wildest dreams. I am so grateful to have the ability to learn from such renowned orthopedic surgeons in the field who deal with sports-related injuries, and especially for the impact it will have on my career going forward.” — Regan Burgess, Howard University School of Medicine
“Words cannot express how grateful I am to be a part of The NFL Diversity in Sports Medicine Pipeline Initiative. This program is a unique opportunity that will significantly enhance my orthopedic career. As the first physician in my family to receive support from this initiative. To become an orthopedic surgeon my dream is very meaningful and it’s an experience I will always be grateful for.” — Alexandra Cancio-Bello, Howard University School of Medicine
“As an athlete and a person who truly loves sports, I was delighted to have the opportunity to work together with debut athletes and skilled doctors. This initiative allows me to apply my clinical skills and knowledge in sports medicine at the highest level. I look forward to learning more in the field of sports medicine and how to best care for athletes, keeping them healthy and getting them back to what they love most.” — Omolayo Dada, Morehouse School of Medicine
“I am looking forward to participating in this program as it will be a unique opportunity to learn from top-level doctors, coaches and athletes in an immersive environment and experience what the field of sports medicine has to offer.” — Yomiyou Geleta, Meharry Medical College
“I wanted to participate in the NFL pipeline initiative to gain knowledge and grow my knowledge about the role of a Sports Medicine physician on an NFL team.” — Paolo Gilleran, Morehouse School of Medicine
“I never imagined that pursuing a career in Orthopedic Surgery would allow me to alternate with my beloved hometown NFL club, the Atlanta Falcons. I look forward to learning return-to-play guidelines and field treatment considerations for NFL players. Most importantly, the knowledge and connections I will gain from this experience will continue to grow. I plan to use it to become a group orthopedic surgeon.” — Eddie Gontee, Morehouse School of Medicine
“The NFL Sports Medicine elective provides me with a complete experience from patient satisfaction to hands-on remedy that encompasses many orthopedics under the bright lights of professional football.” — Kelsey Henderson, Meharry Medical College
“I am grateful and excited for this great experience to interact and learn from sports medicine professionals!” — Jason Moore, Howard University School of Medicine
“I am extremely excited for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn and enjoy being part of a professional sports medicine team! Can’t wait!” — Justin Moore, Howard University School of Medicine
“As an aspiring orthopedic surgeon, the NFL internship will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity where I will learn from an experienced team of physicians in a unique environment. I am excited to develop new relationships and help provide athlete care.” — Andrew Nakla, Meharry Medical College
“Through this experience, my biggest hope is to inspire young people, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, to pursue careers like medicine where they can do incredible things like sports medicine with the NFL. Growing up, I never thought I could become a doctor. I didn’t know a doctor. , let alone how to become one. I never thought I would be in the position I am today to take this opportunity to spend some time working with the LA Rams medical team.” — Felipe Ocampo, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
“It is an honor to be selected to represent Howard at the inaugural Diversity in Sports Medicine Initiative. As a black woman pursuing a career in orthopedic surgery, I am grateful for this life-changing opportunity. I am grateful for the NFL’s commitment to eliminating barriers that minorities interested in sports medicine may face. I look forward to building on my previous athletic training experience and gaining as much knowledge and patient care as possible. This is a dream come true!” — Jessica Smith, Howard University School of Medicine
“I’m looking forward to the unique opportunity to train under doctors dedicated to keeping high-performing NFL athletes healthy. Whether I’m dealing with injuries on or off the field, there’s no doubt I’ll be rooting for the home team!” — Kayla Thomas, Howard University School of Medicine
