Orthopaedic Sport Medicine Fellowship

A large volume of cases provides an excellent base for research and fellows are expected to complete at least one project to be ready for publication by the end of the fellowship. There are resources and potential for research in a variety of areas. Two strong areas of expertise are clinical outcome studies and applied biomechanics. Research initiatives are supported by a staff of research assistants and an increasingly comprehensive database. Biomechanical studies are carried out in the Wolf Biomechanics Laboratory located at the Clinic.

Alan M J Getgood MD, FRCS, Associate Professor, Fellowship Director

Dr. Getgood’s interests include reconstructive surgery of the knee and shoulder, with particular focus on o sports injuries. His clinical practice is predominantly made up of complex knee ligament injuries requiring reconstruction and joint preservation techniques. A component of this field is the assessment and treatment of articular cartilage injury. Dr Getgood completed his fellowship in Orthopaedic Sport Medicine at the Fowler Kennedy Clinic and a two-year research post at the University of Cambridge.

Ryan Degen MSc, MD, FRCS(c), Assistant Professor

Dr. Degen’s clinical practice includes the treatment of various athletic injuries of the hip, shoulder and knee. His primary research interest includes biomechanical/kinematic evaluation of the hip following various joint preservation procedures. Dr. Degen completed a 2-year Sports Medicine Fellowship at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, which involved sideline coverage of various professional sports teams including the New York Rangers (NHL) and New York Red Bulls (MLS).

J. Robert Giffin MD, FRCSC, Professor

Dr. Giffin has a special interest in the anterior cruciate ligament injury and alignment related disorders of the lower limb. He completed a two-year fellowship in Sports Medicine and Shoulder Surgery under Drs. Freddie Fu and Chris Harner at the University of Pittsburgh Center for Sports Medicine. His experience in Pittsburgh included care of the Steelers and Penguins as well as varsity athletes.

Robert B. Litchfield MD, FRCSC, Professor, Medical Director, Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic

Dr. Litchfield’s practice focuses primarily on shoulder disorders. His orthopaedic training at the University of Western Ontario was followed by a Sport Medicine Orthopaedic Fellowship at the Steadman Hawkins Clinic in Vail, Colorado. Dr. Litchfield is a member of the Canadian Alpine Ski Team medical group and is very active in the Canadian Academy of Sports Medicine.

Kevin R. Willits MD, FRCSC, Associate Professor

Dr. Willits main interests are sport related injuries of the shoulder, knee and ankle. His fellowship training in sport medicine and shoulder surgery was with Dr. Buddy Savoie in Jackson, Mississippi. This included on-field coverage of varsity football teams. He completed a second fellowship in trauma and foot and ankle surgery with Dr. Roy Sanders in Tampa, Florida.

Duration: Twelve months.

Start Date: August 1.

End Date: July 31

Number of Positions: Four

Stipend: $65,000 Canadian annually Paid Holidays

Time Away: Three weeks, including time away at meetings

Health Benefits: These are not included. For international fellows, the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) comes into effect at 3 months. The University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) is available in the interim. See www.uhip.ca for more information.

Orthopaedic Sport Medicine Clinics: 2 days per week

Surgical Cases: 2 -3 OR days per week.

Fellows perform as primary surgeon or first assist. Degree of supervision depends on the skill and comfort levels of each fellow.

Varsity Sports Team Coverage of:

• Western University Football Mustangs
• Men and Women’s Hockey and Rugby
• Inter-university events

Academic Expectations are:

• Completion of a minimum of one research project Presentation of project at the “Annual Orthopaedic Fellows Research Day” held in May or June
• Presentation at rounds during the year on topics of his/her choosing

Weekly Schedule

Sport Medicine Rounds, 0700 – 0800 each Tuesday

Orthopaedic Grand Rounds, 0715 – 0815 each Wednesday

Sport Medicine Research & Clinical Rounds, 0700 – 0800 each Thursday

Combined Sport Medicine/Arthroplasty Rounds, 0700 – 0800 each Friday

Please submit the following by email to Stacey Wanlin at swanlin@uwo.ca:

• Statement of intent
• Current CV
• Three letters of reference. For current residents, one letter should be from your program director

Application Deadline

November 30th, 2024 for the 2026 – 2027 program

About London Ontario

Visit the following websites for information about London. http://www.londontourism.ca and http://www.londonhospitals.ca. Here choose ‘Orientation’ and then ‘Welcome to London’

Western University postgraduate education website at: http://www.schulich.uwo.ca/education/pge/; Choose the “Post Grad Trainees” section and from there either the “Canadian Fellows” or “International Residents and Fellows” area.

Stacey Wanlin, Coordinator Orthopaedic Sport Medicine Fellowship Fowler Kennedy

Sport Medicine Clinic, 3M Centre Western University, London, Ontario N6A 3K7

Phone: 519-661-2111 ext. 82705