Please Note: All positions for 2024 – 2025 and 2025 – 2026 have been filled. Applications are currently being accepted for 2026 – 2027. The submission deadline is November 30th, 2024.
Fellowship Overview
The goal of this fellowship is to provide comprehensive education in the field of orthopaedic sport medicine with an emphasis on the development of a broad clinical and surgical expertise. In addition to a busy clinical and surgical setting, the Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic group works closely with primary sports medicine physicians, physiotherapists and researchers to achieve a balanced approach to the care of injured athletes. The group is also responsible for the care of university athletes and coverage of athletic teams.
The fellowship is based on the preceptor model where fellows spend a three month clinical and operating room rotation with each of four consultants. This model offers opportunities for a broad experience in both arthroscopic and open procedures of the knee, shoulder and ankle. Fellows will be exposed to a large and diverse volume of cases; approximately 1000 knee and 500 shoulder arthroscopic procedures along with a wide range of open knee and shoulder cases (knee osteotomies, reconstructive procedures of the shoulder, including arthroplasty).
Surgeries are carried out at University Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre. All clinics take place at the Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic, located in the 3M Centre on the campus of Western University."
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.
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: $70,000 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:
Academic Expectations are:
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 Angie Goguen at agoguen@uwo.ca
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.
Angie Goguen – Education Coordinator – agoguen@uwo.ca
Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic, 3M Centre Western University, London, Ontario N6A 3K7
Phone: 519-661-3011 ex. 88816
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