Careers in Family Medicine: Sports Medicine

In this installment of the Careers in Family Medicine series, we highlight fellowship-trained sports medicine. Dr. Matt [Last Name] now practices sports medicine in an orthopedic setting and has also served as a team physician for professional football. In our conversation, he shares what drew him to this niche, the challenges and rewards of team coverage, and what advice he has for others considering whether to pursue fellowship or integrate sports medicine into their career.

Matt, please give the readers an overview of your career in family medicine.

I completed my family medicine residency at Dallas Methodist Charlton in 2020.  Then went on to do a sports medicine fellowship at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Chicago which I completed in 2021.
After that I spent a year practicing family medicine and sports medicine in Anchorage.

My wife and I moved back to Texas afterwards where I did private practice sports medicine as well as urgent care.  During that time I also worked as a team physician with the XFL, now called the UFL, professional football league. In 2024 my wife and I decided to move back to Anchorage where I continue to practice sports medicine at an orthopedic clinic.

What drew you into sports medicine and how have you found to be in reality?

In medical school I always knew I enjoyed primary care but I began to learn about sports medicine and the involvement with treating athletes and musculoskeletal conditions. I enjoy being active so this really got my attention and I love the continuity of care sports medicine provides with helping patients get back to doing what they love.

I really enjoy the camaraderie between an athlete's treatment team including athletic trainers, physical therapists, other physicians, nutritionists, etc.

For those interested in Sports Medicine but unsure about fellowship or narrowing their scope, what words of wisdom can you impart to them.

For those interested in doing sports medicine, I recommend shadowing a sports medicine physician or attending CME courses focused on sports medicine, athlete care, musculoskeletal conditions.  This can help you decide if you want to go further with a full fellowship. Primary care sports medicine fellowship was truly a great asset to my medical training and really makes an opportunity for unique experiences.
Just like any part of medicine, there is a lot to learn with advancements happening all the time.

What have been the challenges you have faced along the way and how did you overcome them?

When being a team physician, you do have to allow yourself to be flexible to help cover sporting events, games outside of your normal working hours. Keeping yourself open helps reach as many teams, patients as you can. But it is important to find the balance of not stretching yourself too thin. I found that keeping good communication and having a supportive working team of coaches, athletic trainers, physical therapists has made it a really enjoyable experience.

What are your greatest rewards in your current role?

Probably the biggest reward for me is helping athletes and people of all ages get back to what they enjoy doing. Sports medicine has the primary care continuity aspect where I get to see people progress along their journey.

What specific approaches do you take to enhance your personal and professional fulfillment and joy?

I enjoy being active and living in a place that has a lot of opportunities to support that. Being able to talk and empathize with my patients on their hobbies and things we like to do outside of work is very fulfilling.  For me to use my training and things I have learned to help them brings me a lot of fulfillment.


Any tips for those looking at their first job (or those who are looking to pivot) on how to decide?

For me it was really important to find a place that resembled some of my favorite aspects of sports medicine.  I wanted to be in a clinic that had great camaraderie, and overall team centered atmosphere. I would say look for a place that you really enjoy the people around you and good communication is paramount.

Are there any tips or perspectives you'd like to share with readers?

Family medicine is such a great career with so many different paths and opportunities to make it unique for you. Sometimes the decision isn't easy, but allow yourself to be open to explore all sorts of possibilities.

Great! Thank you for taking the time to share your wisdom with the readers. How can people learn more?

Great resources to learn more about sports medicine and its career paths are at the websites for the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)

Matt’s story shows how family medicine training can open doors into specialized niches like sports medicine, where the focus shifts from broad-spectrum primary care to the whole athlete’s health and performance. His advice is a reminder that fulfillment comes not from following one template, but from finding a team and setting that match your skills, values, and energy.

Next week, I’ll wrap up the current series with a reflection on key themes, mindset shifts, and takeaways from the many stories shared. 

Until then, wishing you a joy-filled week,
Tonya