Sports Medicine Fellowship
The Sports Medicine Fellowship is a one-year, ACGME-accredited training program at the University of Minnesota.
The program was one of the first of its kind in the nation, established in 1987 under the direction of Robert Johnson, MD. Since its inception, more than 90 fellows have successfully completed the program. Learn more about our Program in Sports Medicine.
Fellowship Goals
Train fellows who will become national leaders in sports medicine education, research, and clinical practice.

Curriculum Highlights
- Injury and illness diagnosis and treatment in athletes
- Sports medicine ultrasound diagnosis and procedures
- Team and event coverage at a variety of competitive levels
- Curriculum outline
Research and Scholarship
- Conduct an independent sports medicine research project
- Submit research for presentation and publication
- Present at sports medicine grand rounds and other lectures
Fellows as Teachers
Teach medical students and residents in training rooms and sports medicine clinics as well as at sports medicine courses, workshops, and sports events.
Where We Practice
Sports medicine fellows practice at clinics and cover various athletic teams and events. Additional opportunitites span high school through professional athletics and include event coverage with USA national sports governing bodies and the National Football League (NFL).
Clinics
- University of Minnesota Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Clinic
- TRIA Orthopaedic Center
- University of Minnesota Physicians Broadway Family Medicine Clinic
Team & Event Coverage
NCAA Division I
NCAA Division III
Area high schools
Fellows
Abbie Metzler, DO
Medical school: AT Still University - KCOM
Residency: University of Minnesota - St. Joseph's Family Medicine Residency
Clinical interests: Healthy lifestyle promotion, adolescent medicine, and diagnostic ultrasound.
Hobbies: SPORTS! I enjoy playing softball, volleyball, golf, and basketball in my free time. Sports aside, I love spending time with family and friends, camping, and basically any adventure outdoors.
Why Minnesota? I chose University of Minnesota's Sports Medicine Fellowship because of the amazing opportunities and faculty and staff that are associated with it. This program offers a wide variety of hands-on sports coverage at many levels. I believe Minnesota provides a great balance for their fellows and their future. GO, GOPHERS!
Edward Smith, DO
Medical school: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: MCW/Columbia St. Mary's Family Medicine
Clinical interests: Academic sports medicine; team sports (football, basketball, baseball, volleyball, and track); fitness and nutrition; and overuse injuries in the recreational athlete.
Hobbies: Early morning workouts! I also enjoy spending time with my wife, finding some of the area's best food (hence the early morning workouts), movies, and bike riding.
Why Minnesota? When I was looking for a program to continue my training, I wanted a program that had a strong sense of academics, a plethora of coverage from high school to professional, procedure training, a desire to train future leaders in sports medicine, and awesome faculty. The University of Minnesota was everything I asked for and more. Training at a program with a strong tradition in sports medicine, under the most incredible faculty and staff, is an easy answer to "why."
Contact
Office address:
5-255 Phillips-Wangensteen Building
516 Delaware St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Mailing address:
420 Delaware Street SE, MMC 381
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Director
Suzanne Hecht, MD
hecht031@umn.edu
Coordinator
Brenda Dolejs
612-626-2338
dole0010@umn.edu