Sports Medicine Fellowship
The United Health Services Sports Hospitals Medicine Fellowship is an ACGME-accredited twelve-month program sponsored by the Department of Family Medicine. Fellows receive training in all areas of primary care sports medicine, including exercise-related illness and injury, concussion, physiology, pharmacology, nutrition, non-surgical orthopedics, fracture management, musculoskeletal radiology, sports psychology, and exercise and wellness counseling.
The fellowship features a longitudinal musculoskeletal ultrasound curriculum encompassing both diagnostic and procedural ultrasound. Fellows work in the UHS Sports Medicine and Orthopedics Center alongside a diverse faculty of fellowship-trained sports medicine physicians and neurosurgeons in the UHS Spine Center. Musculoskeletal radiology is taught throughout the year as well as through dedicated rotations with the Upstate Medical University Musculoskeletal Radiology Department. Fellows collaborate closely with physical and occupational therapists and a huge team of athletic trainers. The fellow works with strength and conditioning coaches to learn advanced fitness training and programming, and fellows are welcome to utilize the Sports Performance Academy resources for their own training. For additional information about the UHS Sports Medicine and Orthopedics Center click here.
Coverage
The fellowship provides ample and diverse coverage experience including:
- Binghamton Black Bears Semi-Pro Hockey team
- Division I Binghamton University Bearcats, all teams and training rooms
- Division III SUNY- Broome Hornets
- Union Endicott High School (fellow takes lead)
- Various running races and triathlons
- New York State High School Rugby Championships
- Levene Gouldin & Thompson Tennis Challenger professional tennis
- Mixed martial arts, combat sports, and professional wrestling
- Dick’s Sporting Goods Open on the PGA Championship Tour
Location
Binghamton is a university town in upstate New York located in the rolling hills of the northern Appalachian Mountains. It is known for the Spiedie Fest & Balloon Rally, as the birthplace of the carousel ride, and as the namesake of one of the best public universities in the United States. Beside Binghamton University and United Health Services healthcare system, much of the economy is engineering and technology with major employers including IBM, Lockheed, and BAE Systems. Only a few miles outside of town the region has a rural feel. Binghamton is 3 hours from New York City and Philadelphia, 3.5 hours from Buffalo, and around 5 hours to Boston, Pittsburgh, and Toronto.
Program Director
Stanley Hunter, MD, CAQSM
Fellowship Program Director
UHS Concussion Center Director
Benjamin "Max" Kammerman, MD
Fellowship Program Associate Director
Curriculum
The Fellowship is organized in a 13-block rotation including:
- Sports Medicine (4 blocks)
- Orthopedics (1 block)
- Orthopedics/Spine (1 block)
- Orthopedics/Hand (1 block)
- Radiology (1 block)
- Podiatry (1 block)
- Physical Medicine/Rehabilitation (1 block)
- Physiology/Psychology/Nutrition (1 block)
- Elective (2 blocks)
The fellow completes a scholarly project/interdisciplinary quality improvement initiative. Fellows may participate in research, but this is not a requirement. The fellow presents at regional and national conferences. Fellows typically attend and present at the AMSSM annual meeting, the national ACSM conference and at least one regional conference.
The fellow's weekly schedule is comprised of rotational time, sports medicine clinics, didactics, scholarly and quality improvement activities, family medicine clinic, and game and event coverage.
Faculty & Fellowship
Stanley Hunter, MD, CAQS
Fellowship Program Director
UHS Concussion Center Director
Medical School: SUNY Upstate Medical University
Residency: Fletcher Allen Health Care
Fellowship: Summa Health System
David Gallagher, MD
Attending Faculty for Orthopedics
Medical School: SUNY Downstate
Residency: SUNY Downstate Medical University in Brooklyn
Fellowship: SUNY Buffalo
Matthew Bennett, MD
Attending Faculty for Orthopedics/Spine
Medical School: SUNY Upstate Medical University
Residency: SUNY Upstate Medical University
Fellowship: Texas Back Institute
Jennifer Sweet, DPM
Attending faculty for Podiatry
Medical School: California School of Podiatric Medicine
Residency: United Health Services Hospitals
Darrel Harvey, PT, DPT
Director of Physical Therapy
Douglas Taber
Attending faculty for orthopedics/spine
Medical School: New York Chiropractic College
Lawrence Wiesner, DO
Attending Faculty for Orthopedics/Joint Surgery
Medical School: New York College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Peninsula Hospital Center
Fellowship: Florida Osteopathic Institute
Regina M. Meis, MD
Attending Faculty for Orthopedic Hand Surgery
Medical School: Boston University School of Medicine
Residency: Boston University School of Medicine
Fellowship: Hand and Microsurgery, Yale University
Christopher Yanusas, PhD
Attending Faculty for Neuropsychology & Concussion
Medical School: Marywood University
Benjamin "Max" Kammerman, MD
Attending Faculty for Sports Medicine
Medical School: Sackler Medical School
Residency: United Health Services Hospitals
Fellowship: University at Buffalo
Current Sports Medicine Fellow
Virender Singh Aulakh, MD
Medical School: Saba University School of Medicine - 2019
Residency: University of Maryland Capital Region Health - 2022
Specialty: Family Medicine
Virender Aulakh, MD is the UHS 2023-2024 Sports Medicine Fellow. He obtained a degree in Chemistry at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. After graduation, he went on to complete a Master’s Degree in Synthetic Organic Chemistry at the University of British Columbia. Over the next five years, he worked as a chemist researching novel therapeutics for Hepatitis C with Merck and Novartis. He then went back to school, completing his medical education at Saba University School of Medicine in 2019. Upon completion of medical school, he joined the Family Medicine Residency program at the University of Maryland Capital Region Health. During residency, he participated in rotations and didactics with Sports Medicine faculty, as well as completing additional musculoskeletal ultrasound courses to expand on the skills learned on rotations. He completed his residency in Family Medicine in 2022. As the UHS Sports Medicine Fellow, he teaches residents and medical students and is an Assistant Clinical Professor at SUNY Upstate Medical University.
As a Family Medicine physician, Dr. Aulakh enjoys educating and advocating for the importance of sports medicine in a primary care setting. Throughout residency, he tended to a variety of non-operative musculoskeletal injuries and assisted during sporting events. He strives to help injured patients recover to their former physical activity level and maintain their desired quality of life. In his spare time, he enjoys badminton, swimming, and other pursuits of physical fitness.
2021-2022 Sports Medicine Fellow Ryan Thatchen-Cary and Fellowship Director Stanley Hunter competed in the 100% Raw Powerlifting Association's "American Challenge" meet in June 2022. Hosting this meeting has become an annual event at a UHS Physical Therapy facility in Owego, NY, and fellows often participate. | Caroline Lee, MD, the UHS 2020-2021 fellow, set New York State records in deadlift, bench press, and strict curl during her fellowship year | B. Max Kammerman, MD, CAQSM; Caroline Lee, MD & 2020-2021 fellow; and Stanley Hunter, MD, CAQSM, after a 100% Raw Powerlifting Federation meet held at UHS. The UHS Sports Medicine crew trains together and holds many state and national records. |
Fellowship Graduates |
Year |
Where are they now? |
Karyssa Bowron, MD |
2022-2023 |
UHS Family Medicine & Sports Medicine, Apalachin, NY |
Ryan Thachen-Cary, MD |
2021-2022 |
Sports Med/PM&R |
Caroline Lee, MD |
2020-2021 |
Sports Med/PM&R in Englewood, NJ |
Shannon Clemons, MD |
2019-2020 |
Sports Medicine in New Orleans, LA |
Hamad Saleemi, DO |
2018-2019 |
Sports Medicine in Allentown, PA |
Nathaniel Baer, MD |
2017-2018 |
Sports Medicine in Portland, OR |
Paul Han, MD |
2016-2017 |
Sports Medicine in San Diego, CA |
David Li, DO |
2015-2016 |
Sports Medicine in Bay Area, CA |
Amir Hendiani, MD |
2014-2015 |
Family Medicine in Gloucester, VA |
Hossein Zarrini, MD |
2013-2014 |
Urgent Care & Sports Medicine UHS |
Scott Weiss, MD |
2012-2013 |
Sports Medicine in Brooklyn, NY |
Romulo Vasquez, MD |
2011-2012 |
Sports Medicine in Jamaica, NY |
Michael Tunick, DO |
2010-2011 |
Family Medicine & Sports Medicine, Endicott, NY |
Alexander Kats, MD |
2009-2010 |
Sports Medicine & Hospitalist in Olympia, WA |
Rowena Reyes, MD |
2008-2009 |
Family Medicine & Sports Medicine in San Antonio, TX |
Luis Rodriguez, MD |
2007-2008 |
Sports Medicine in Miami, FL |
Joon Park, MD |
2006-2007 |
Family Medicine & Sports Medicine in Astoria, NY |
Kate Grant, DO |
2005-2006 |
Sports Medicine & Family Medicine in Rochester, NY |
Preet Joshi, MD |
2004-2005 |
Sports Medicine in Bear, DE |
Stipends & Benefits
SALARY: $64,459 (Year)
Insurance Coverage:
- Health Insurance: UHSH is partnered with Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) to provide our employees with Blue Preferred (UHS PPO). UHSH covers a major portion of the health insurance premiums. Premiums are deducted bi-weekly from your paycheck.
- Pharmacy: Prescriptions may be filled through UHS, an Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield network pharmacy or through mail order.
- Life Insurance: Provided and paid for by the hospital, equal to your annual salary.
- Malpractice Insurance: Provided and paid for by the hospital.
- Dental Insurance: Standard and high option dental plans available at shared cost with the hospital.
- Vision Insurance: Shared cost with the hospital
- Wellness Rewards
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Direct Deposit
Personal Time Off (vacations, holidays, board exams, interviews, unexpected absences including illnesses): 27 days
Moving Allowance: A moving allowance of $300 is provided to each resident.
Professional Development Fund: Each Fellow is allotted $1,500/year to be used towards professional development, conferences, and educational materials and stethoscope.
Academic Appointments: All fellows receive an academic appointment as a Clinical Assistant Instructor at Upstate Medical University (SUNY), Syracuse, New York.
Athletic/Gym Privileges: Fellows have access to the non-fee based athletic facilities at Binghamton University: gymnasium, weight room, indoor and outdoor tracks, pools, racquetball and tennis courts.
Elective Rotations
Residents are welcome to request two to four week elective rotations in the UHS Sports Medicine Department. For more information about the fellowship or elective rotations, or to schedule an elective rotation, please contact the fellowship coordinator, Amanda.Klovekorn@nyuhs.org. Please include your CV and a request for your preferred rotation dates.
To Apply
This fellowship is open to candidates who have successfully completed an ACGME-accredited residency in Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Emergency Medicine, or PM&R. The interested applicant should apply to our program using the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), beginning in July. The following materials should be included:
- Personal Statement
- Current Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Letters of Recommendation (minimum of 3) including one from your Residency Program Director
- USMLE and/or COMLEX Transcript
For more information, email: abbey.hall@nyuhs.org.