The NFL together with the NFL Physicians Society (NFLPS) and Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society (PFATS) roster six Morehouse medical students to participate in the second year of the NFL’s Diversity in Sports Medicine Pipeline Initiative. 

During their one-month rotations, students will observe and participate in the care of NFL players, working directly with and under the supervision of the orthopedic team physicians, primary care team physicians and athletic trainers to gain medical knowledge and exposure to patient care in sports medicine. Additionally, students will become familiar with return-to-play guidelines and on-field treatment considerations for NFL players.

“Mentorship is a critical component of recruiting students into our field, so we’re thrilled to immerse more talented medical students with diverse backgrounds into the NFL clubs’ medical communities.”

NFLPS President & San Francisco 49ers head team physician, Timothy McAdams, MD

By the end of the rotation, students will understand the basic elements of all facets of care provided to NFL players from an orthopedic, primary care sports medicine and athletic training perspective.

Participating Students

– Temitope Elutilo-Ayoola for the Arizona Cardinals

– Brandon Chiedo for the Atlanta Falcons

– Alexandria Williams for the Cincinnati Bengals

– Adam Munoz for the Indianapolis Colts

– Valdemar Wany for the New York Giants

One of this year’s participants, Brandon Chiedo MS4, spoke to us about the uniqueness of this opportunity and its potential impact for students like him.

“I am extremely grateful to the NFL, the Atlanta Falcons, and Morehouse School of Medicine for providing me with this unique opportunity to participate in The Diversity in Sports Medicine Initiative program,” said Chiedo. 

“When I made the decision to pursue a career in medicine, I had developed a keen interest in musculoskeletal, rehabilitative, and sports medicine. My goal upon the completion of my medical training is to work with athletes in some capacity. My involvement in this program will undoubtedly provide me with an opportunity to get one step closer to this goal by providing me with valuable insight into the world of sports medicine at the highest level of competition. Being able to have an opportunity like this at this point in my medical training is a blessing and one that I will not take for granted,” he added.

About the NFL D.S.M.P.I. Program

This program aims to increase and diversify the pipeline of students interested in pursuing careers in sports medicine and, over time, help to diversify NFL club medical staffs. 

Diverse students from 19 medical schools will complete clinical rotations with NFL club medical staffs focused on primary care sports medicine and/or orthopedic surgery.