Breaking Barriers: NFL Launches Diversity in Sports Medicine Pipeline Initiative to Increase Underrepresented Students in Medical Field

The NFL recently announced the roster of medical students who will be participating in the NFL Diversity in Sports Medicine Pipeline Initiative. This league-wide program, launched in 2022 in collaboration with the NFL Physicians Society and the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society, aims to increase and diversify the pipeline of students interested in pursuing careers in sports medicine, including working on NFL club medical staffs.

Dr. Allen Sills, the NFL Chief Medical Officer, expressed excitement about the group of participants who will be joining from a variety of medical schools this season. The program’s goal is to attract diverse and underrepresented students into the sports medicine field.

During their month-long rotations, the students will have the opportunity to observe and participate in the care of NFL players. They will work closely with and under the supervision of various medical professionals, including orthopedic team physicians, athletic trainers, dietitians, mental health clinicians, and strength & conditioning coaches. This hands-on experience will allow the students to gain valuable medical knowledge and exposure to patient care in sports medicine.

One participant of the program, Michael Baham from University of California Irvine School of Medicine is thrilled to be part of this initiative as he looks forward to learning from multidisciplinary teams that provide top-notch care for elite athletes on and off field while expanding his clinical knowledge. By end of rotation he hopes to contribute to NFL’s commitment to diversifying healthcare field.

The program also teaches them about return-to-play protocols and on-field treatment considerations for NFL players. By the end of their rotation, they will have a solid understanding of