Training the Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Surgeons of the Future

The Orthopedic Sports Medicine Fellowship is a premier program dedicated to developing highly skilled surgeons ready to excel in any practice setting. Established in 1987 by Dr. John Uribe, the fellowship has a long-standing reputation for excellence in clinical, surgical, and research training.

Fellows receive advanced training in arthroscopic surgery and the treatment of complex shoulder, elbow, knee, hip, and sports-related foot and ankle disorders. With hands-on experience at the state-of-the-art Miami HEAT Sports Medicine Center, fellows work closely with fellowship-trained, board-certified orthopedic surgeons, gaining comprehensive exposure from high school to professional sports teams.

Having trained over 95 fellows through its accredited programs, the fellowship continues the legacy of the original UHZ Sports Medicine Institute, now under the FIU/Baptist Health umbrella. The program’s name may have evolved, but its commitment to excellence and innovation remains unchanged, making it a leader in orthopedic sports medicine education.

  • 100%

    Graduation rate

  • 450+

    Cases per year

Official Sports Medicine Provider 

Florida Panthers (NHL) 
Inter Miami CF (MLS)
Miami Dolphins (NFL) 
Miami Heat (NBA) 
Miami FC Soccer (USLC)  
Capital One Orange Bowl 
Miami Marathon and Half Marathon
Miami Open Tennis Tournament 
FIU Athletics logo
Barry University Athletics logo
FAU Athletics logo
St. Thomas Athletics logo

Featured Training Sites

Baptist Health Orthopedic Institute

Baptist Health Orthopedic Institute

The Baptist Health Orthopedic Institute is a multi-site practice, offering comprehensive orthopedic services, including sports medicine, foot and ankle, hand, adult reconstruction and trauma care.

Doctors Hospital 

Doctors Hospital

High Performing Hospital, according to U.S. News and World Report.

Located in historic Coral Gables, Doctors Hospital has provided high-quality medical care since its opening in 1949.

Baptist Health Orthopedic Complex 

Baptist Health Orthopedic Complex

The Baptist Health Orthopedic Complex is a state-of-the-art, comprehensive orthopedic care facility located next to the Miami Dolphins training facility, with clinical areas overlooking the team’s practice field.

Baptist Health Surgery Center – Coral Gables

Baptist Health Surgery Center – Coral Gables

The Baptist Health Surgery Center is a state-of-the-art ambulatory surgery center, fully dedicated to performing orthopedic procedures, located in the Miami HEAT Sports Medicine Center at Doctors Hospital.

Baptist Health Surgery Center - Plantation

Baptist Health Surgery Center - Plantation

The Baptist Health Surgery Center, located in Plantation, is a 14,300-square-foot multi-specialty center offering the latest in surgical care and anesthesia technology.

West Kendall Baptist Hospital 

West Kendall Baptist Hospital

West Kendall Baptist Hospital features 203 private rooms and provides care for adult medical and surgical services, including a separate critical care unit.

Baptist Health Orthopedic Institute Bio-Skills Lab 

Baptist Health Orthopedic Institute Bio-Skills Lab

The Bio-Skills Lab at Baptist Health Orthopedic Institute is fully equipped with the latest arthroscopic equipment and provides residents and fellows with a simulated surgical setting.

Curriculum

Fellows will spend three days in the operating room, one and a half days in clinic, and a half day dedicated to research time each week.

Longitudinal Rotations

Our program curriculum incorporates several longitudinal rotations, immersing trainees in particular areas of study throughout the entire duration of the training program.

  • Operating Room

    Fellows will spend three days in the operating room performing cases at Doctors Hospital, West Kendall Baptist Hospital and Baptist Health Surgery Centers located in Coral Gables and Plantation.

  • Clinic

    Baptist Health Orthopedic Institute provides fellows with an outpatient clinic experience. Fellows will spend one and a half days in clinic evaluating patients with musculoskeletal injuries. Fellows will see a wide range of patients, including adults, adolescents, and athletes of all levels with acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions. Fellows will also participate in pre-and-post-operative exams and consultations.

    Our 49,000-square-foot recently renovated outpatient facility consists of three floors of physician clinics with 42 exam rooms. The new pod concept with touchdown staff work areas will allow clinical teams to collaborate across subspecialties. Physician offices include a dedicated fellow’s office. During clinic, the allied health professionals include physician assistants, certified athletic trainers and medical assistants who support physicians. Our practice currently uses a Cerner electronic health record. Fellows will receive specialized training in this system as part of their onboarding.

  • Research

    Fellows will actively participate in their own original research as well as multiple ongoing projects. Fellows will be supported with their research from certified clinical research coordinators, volunteers and a research and education coordinator with a Ph.D. Other resources will include the medical library and a Bio-Skills Lab.

    The Bio-Skills Lab will be an integral part of the educational program and will provide a simulated surgical setting that allows our physicians to conduct hands-on cadaveric evaluations, surgical education, research studies and clinical trials. The lab has broadcast capabilities for a seamless learning experience.

    Fellows will receive a laptop and a dedicated office space to use during their fellowship year that will assist with their research projects.

  • Athletic Training Room and Sideline Coverage

    The Athletic Training Room and Sideline Coverage rotation is an essential component of the fellowship. Fellows will provide sideline coverage at a variety of sporting events. On the professional level, fellows have the opportunity to provide coverage for the Miami Dolphins, Miami Heat, Florida Panthers, Inter Miami CF, and Miami FC Soccer. On the high school level, our institution takes care of the 36 Miami-Dade County public high schools as well as numerous private schools. On the collegiate level, we provide care to Florida International University Athletics, Barry University, St. Thomas University and Florida Atlantic University. Fellows also provide sideline care for other seasonal sporting events like the Miami Open Tennis Tournament, Miami Marathon and Half Marathon, Capital One Orange Bowl, Miami Beach Bowl, and Miami Triathlon.

  • Didactics 

    Faculty, fellows and allied health professionals actively participate in the program's didactic education series.

    The didactics include:

    • Lecture series: Weekly teaching conference dedicated to orthopedic sports medicine, where presenters will vary each week and will include the program director, program faculty and fellows. Lectures include:
      • Anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, pathology, microbiology, pharmacology, epidemiology, and immunology as they relate to adult reconstructive orthopedic surgery.
      • Pain management for the subspecialty, including recognition of the signs of addiction.
      • Evaluation of practices that ensure and improve patient safety.
    • Journal Club: A monthly series to discuss various topics from the latest orthopedic sports medicine journals and other relevant peer-reviewed publications.
    • Case Presentation: Faculty and fellows will meet to discuss the cases that will take place during the week.
    • Case Review: A monthly series to present and discuss interesting cases from our own and/or case reports from the literature, followed by discussion.
  • Rehabilitation

    The physical therapy rotation is an essential component of the fellowship. The fellows will observe their patients in physical therapy and rehabilitation treatment sessions. This includes athletes in all age groups and at all levels of competition and individuals who are active or anticipating exercise activities. The fellows will observe and assist in the rehabilitation of the patients treated at the Baptist Health Orthopedic Institute’s outpatient physical therapy and rehabilitation centers.

  • Teaching 

    Each year, fellows will participate as instructors for the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine Musculoskeletal Course. This course will allow them to develop and hone their skills as they teach fourth-year medical students.

Fellowship Application Requirements

Our program attracts, educates, and retains exceptional talent to serve the South Florida community.

Acceptance/admission to the program is contingent on the submission of all requested materials and meeting all eligibility requirements determined by the program.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Residency Prerequisites

  • Board-eligible graduate of a U.S. ACGME-accredited orthopedic residency program
  • Must be eligible to be granted an unrestricted license to practice medicine in the state of Florida

Application Requirements

Applications should be received via the San Francisco Match (SF Match) program 19 months before the start of the fellowship. Interviews are conducted from January to March of the following year. Applicants are required to have the following documents in order to apply:

  • SF Match Central Application Service (CAS)
  • CV
  • USMLE Step 1 or COMLEX 1
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Letter of good standing
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A Transformative Education

At the Wertheim College of Medicine, your journey is enhanced by diversity, research, innovation and community outreach. Our programs empower the next generation of physicians with the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to become leaders in the health care field.

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