Sports Medicine
Fellowship Overview
Eisenhower Health participates in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) to provide the opportunity for applicants to consider selection options. The program director(s) and staff evaluate the qualifications of all applicants to the programs before deciding who will be offered positions.
Program Curriculum
The Eisenhower Health primary care sports medicine fellowship is a one-year program providing two residency-trained physicians “additional experience and education for those physicians interested in specializing in the ever expanding field of sports medicine.” We offer a broad range of clinical experiences and didactic education that will prepare the fellow for an unlimited and successful career in sports medicine.
Clinical Experience
You will have diverse exposure to active people and athletes of all ages and abilities across a wide spectrum of injuries and illnesses. You will also develop your expertise in diagnosing and managing medical illnesses and injuries related to sports and exercise.
- Pre-participation Exams (PPE)
- Injury prevention and treatment
- Exercise prescription
- Management of acute and chronic illness and injury
- Rehabilitation treatments and plans
- Team coverage: high school football teams; junior college sports at College of the Desert
- Mass event coverage: San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon
- Professional sporting event coverage: PGA, ATP, LPGA, WTA
- MSK Ultrasound training
Clinical time for the fellow includes the following:
- One clinic per week as sports medicine provider at College of the Desert Sports Medicine
- One half-day per week of primary care clinic
- Three half-days with sports medicine faculty
- Office time with our sports orthopedists team
- Office time with several orthopedic sub-specialists, physical therapists, exercise physiologists, musculoskeletal radiologists, strength and conditioning specialists and others
- Weekly training rooms at colleges and high schools and game coverage
Didactic opportunities
The fellows’ clinical experience is supplemented by highly structured weekly didactic sessions with the largest consortium of Sports Medicine Fellow in the county a UC San Diego. These sessions includes sports medicine and orthopedic lectures, anatomy lab, and MSK Ultrasound training. Local monthly journal clubs and dedicated research time round out the educational experience. They will also take an active role in teaching medical students and residents and are expected to attend and present at national sports medicine conferences.
Leadership & Faculty
Stephen R. Steele, DO, FAOASM, CAQSM
Professional Details
Primary Specialty: Family Medicine*, Sports Medicine*, Sports Medicine
Years in Practice: 32 years
Years on Staff: 30 years
Languages: English
Professional Education
Medical School: Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
Internship: Naval Reg Med Ctr-SC
Residency: Mercy Med Ctr-Redding
Fellowship: University of CA San Diego Medical Center
Board Certification
American Board of Family Medicine/Sports Med.
American Board of Family Medicine
* Indicates Board Certified Specialty
Message From Program Director
Every year I am re-energized to be the Director of the Sports Medicine Fellowship at Eisenhower Health! We are seeking young, spirited physicians ready to dive into a fun, exciting, and demanding learning environment; physicians who are self-starters, and not afraid to step into a leadership role as a sports medicine provider at an integrated medical system that dominates the sports medicine scene in our catchment area.
We have a robust program here in the Coachella Valley caring for all ages of active patients. Our concussion program is growing yearly. Our High School physicals program and football coverage involves 6 schools and we work closely with the ATC of each high school. I, personally, have been covering the local junior college football program for 23 years. Fellows organize, plan, and provide medical coverage for the Oracle Challenger Series in Indian Wells. The Oracle Challenger Series is the new qualifying system for American tennis players to qualify for the BNP Paribas Tournament that immediately follows the Challenger, and are involved in the medical coverage of the over 440,000 fans visiting the BNP Tennis venue each year. In addition, Fellows provide medical coverage for an annual collegiate softball tournament and the ANA Inspiration LPGA professional tournament.
Our primary care sports medicine clinics and sub-specialty rotations with Eisenhower Health sports medicine orthopedists and others have been well received, and there is time for special interest Elective scheduling throughout the year. Our participation in the UCSD Consortium for Sports Medicine Didactics has been a special connection for our program. Several fellowships in the San Diego area, in addition to Eisenhower Health, participate in weekly didactic programming covering general sports medicine topics and offering an ultrasound course and certification in musculoskeletal diagnostics and guided injections. This preparation ensures your success in the Certificate of Added Qualification in Sports Medicine exam, and in your future career as a primary care sports medicine physician.
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