Cleveland Clinic Foundation
The Cleveland Clinic Foundation Sports Medicine fellowship in Garfield Heights, OH is listed by AAMC with ERAS status “Participating” for the 2027 cycle. Use the official program page for curriculum, training sites, eligibility, and current contacts.
About the program
One-year ACGME-accredited Sports and Exercise Medicine Fellowship, established in 1985 with 70 graduates, affiliated with the Department of Family Medicine at Fairview Hospital (Cleveland Clinic). Three positions per year: two for FM/IM/Peds/EM graduates and one for PM&R. Fellows rotate with primary care and orthopaedic sports physicians, cardiology, pulmonology and musculoskeletal radiology (including longitudinal MSK ultrasound), act as supervised team physicians for high school and collegiate athletes, and see professional athletes including the Cleveland Cavaliers and Cleveland Guardians. A research project is required.
Summarized from the program’s official website, checked October 5, 2026. Confirm details with the program.
Program highlights
- Stress procedural training: ultrasound-guided injections, percutaneous tenotomy, extracorporeal shockwave therapy, compartment pressure testing and orthobiologics (PRP, placenta tissue matrix).
- Mention interest in elite-level exposure: care of professional athletes including the Cavaliers and Guardians, plus team physician roles for high school and collegiate athletes.
- Cite one of the oldest established programs (1985, 70 graduates) and ask where graduates practice, academic versus private.
- Required research project with faculty mentorship and dedicated time, presented at Orthopaedic Department Research Day and at the AMSSM annual meeting; bring project ideas.
- Ask about weekly didactics and cross-disciplinary conferences with orthopaedic sports fellows and the longitudinal continuity clinic.
- Apply July 15 to September 15 via ERAS; NRMP SMS match; FM/IM/Peds/EM applicants compete for two spots and PM&R for one, so tailor your pitch. Applications from foreign medical graduates are accepted.
PGY salaries
PGY salaries have not been verified for this program.
Program leadership and contact
- Program director
- Richard Figler, MD
- Program coordinator
- Leah Hujarski
- Director of Clinical Operations for Sports Medicine and Fellowship Director
- Lutul D. Farrow, MD
- Address
- 5555 Transportation Blvd Garfield Heights, OH 44125
- figlerr@ccf.org
- Phone
- 216.839.3734
Contact details checked October 5, 2026.
Program and application links
Review the official program page for training sites, curriculum, eligibility, required documents, deadlines, interview policy, visa sponsorship, and current openings.
About Sports Medicine fellowship training
Sports Medicine is a fellowship. Eligibility, including which residencies qualify, is set by the program and the certifying board, so confirm it before applying.
Fellowships in sports medicine typically last 1 year.
General information about the specialty, not a statement about this program. Confirm details with the program.
How to apply to this fellowship
- Check that this specialty’s fellowship match runs through the NRMP Specialties Matching Service, and note its registration and ranking dates; fellowship calendars differ from the residency Match.
- Apply through ERAS (or the application service this specialty uses) with the documents the program lists.
- If you interview here, rank the program in the match by the specialty’s deadline.
Deadlines, required documents, interview policy and visa sponsorship differ between programs and years. The program’s own website is the authority.
Prepare your application
- The NRMP Residency Match, explained
- Residency interview preparation: a four-week plan and question bank
- Residency interview strategies for USMLE candidates
- How to create a resume or CV for residency
- The Dean's letter (MSPE): what it is and how to get it from your medical school
- After the interview: highlight your strengths and send thank-you letters
- NRMP ranking algorithm & rank-list strategy
- Save money on USMLE and interview travel
- Study books by exam
- International medical graduates: ECFMG and visas
Questions to ask this program
Strong applicants use the interview to learn how a program trains its fellows. Questions worth asking:
- How is clinical training balanced with research or scholarly time, and is that time protected?
- What procedures or skills will I be expected to master, and how are they assessed?
- Where do recent fellows work after graduation? Ask for recent examples.
- How is the fellowship funded, and will I have a research mentor from the first year?
- Are there moonlighting opportunities, and what are the call expectations?
- What benefits, parental leave and wellness support does the program provide?
Compare nearby options
More Sports Medicine programs in Ohio
Frequently asked questions
How do I apply to the Cleveland Clinic Foundation Sports Medicine fellowship?
This directory lists the program in the NRMP Specialties Matching Service. Use the program and application links on this page for the current instructions, deadlines and required documents.
How long is the Cleveland Clinic Foundation Sports Medicine fellowship?
The program length recorded for this entry is 1 year. Confirm it with the program.
How many positions does the Cleveland Clinic Foundation Sports Medicine fellowship offer?
The directory records 3 position(s) per year. Positions can change from year to year, so confirm for the cycle you are applying to.
What does the Cleveland Clinic Foundation Sports Medicine fellowship pay?
Salaries have not been verified for this program. Many institutions publish a resident and fellow salary schedule on their graduate medical education office page.