Orthopaedic Sports Medicine

Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Fellowship Program

Faculty Members:

  • Robert B. Litchfield, MD, FRCSC (Professor) - Fellowship Director
  • Kevin R. Willits, MD, FRCSC (Associate Professor)
  • J. Robert Giffin, MD, FRCSC, MBA (Professor)
  • Ryan Degen, MD, MSc, FRCSC (Associate Professor and Assistant Program Director) 

 

The goal of this fellowship is to provide comprehensive education in the field of Orthopaedic Sports Medicine with an emphasis on the development of broad clinical and surgical expertise. In addition to a busy clinical and surgical setting, the Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic group works closely with primary sports medicine physicians, physiotherapists and researchers to achieve a balanced approach to the care of injured athletes. The group is also responsible for the care of university athletes and coverage of athletic teams.

The fellowship is based on the preceptor model where fellows spend a three-month clinical and operating room rotation with each of the group consultants. This model offers opportunities for a broad experience in both arthroscopic and open procedures of the knee, shoulder and ankle. Fellows will be exposed to a large and diverse volume of cases - approximately 1,000 knee and 500 shoulder arthroscopic procedures along with a wide range of open knee and shoulder cases (knee osteotomies, reconstructive procedures of the shoulder, including arthroplasty).

The Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic

The Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic is located in the 3M Centre on Western University campus.

Research

A large volume of cases provides an excellent base for research, and fellows are expected to complete at least one project to be ready for publication by the end of the fellowship. There are resources and potential for research in a variety of areas. Two strong areas of expertise are clinical outcome studies and applied biomechanics. Research initiatives are supported by a staff of research assistants and an increasingly comprehensive database. Biomechanical studies are carried out in the Wolf Biomechanics Laboratory located at the Clinic.

Supervising Surgeons

Robert B. Litchfield, MD, FRCSC, Professor, Medical Director, Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic

Dr. Litchfield’s practice focuses primarily on shoulder disorders. His orthopaedic training at the University of Western Ontario was followed by a Sport Medicine Orthopaedic Fellowship at the Steadman Hawkins Clinic in Vail, Colorado. Dr. Litchfield is a member of the Canadian Alpine Ski Team medical group and is very active in the Canadian Academy of Sports Medicine.

J. Robert Giffin, MD, FRCSC, MBA, Professor

Dr Giffin has a special interest in the anterior cruciate ligament injury and alignment related disorders of the lower limb. He completed a two-year Sports Medicine and Shoulder Surgery Fellowship under Drs. Freddie Fu and Chris Harner at the University of Pittsburgh Center for Sports Medicine. His experience in Pittsburgh included care of the Steelers and Penguins as well as varsity athletes.

Kevin R. Willits, MD, FRCSC, Associate Professor

Dr. Willits main interests are sport related injuries of the shoulder, hip, knee and ankle. His fellowship training in sport medicine and shoulder surgery was with Dr. Buddy Savoie in Jackson, Mississippi. This included on-field coverage of varsity football teams. He completed a second fellowship in Trauma and Foot and Ankle Surgery with Dr. Roy Sanders in Tampa, Florida.  Dr. Willits is the Director of Mustang Varsity Medical Coverage and in that role coordinates the care and game coverage of all Mustang athletes.

Ryan Degen, MD, MSc, FRCSC, Associate Professor

Dr. Degen specializes in athletic injuries of the hip, shoulder and knee.  His orthopaedic training at Western University was followed by a Sport Medicine and Shoulder Surgery Fellowship at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, where he was able to work with several experts in his field.  He served as an Assistant Team Physician for the New York Rangers (NHL) and the New York Red Bulls (MLS), gaining expertise in the on-field and off-field treatment of various athletic injuries.  He is currently a member of several orthopaedic societies including the AOSSM, AAOS, and the COA.

Fellowship Applications

 

 

 

Academic Experience

  • Minimum of one research project completed and ready for publication
  • Presentation of projects at the “Annual Orthopaedic Fellows Research Day” held each May or June
  • Presentation at a minimum two rounds during the year on a topic of his/her choosing

Weekly Schedule

  • Sport Medicine Rounds, 0700 – 0800 each Tuesday
  • Orthopaedic Grand Rounds, 0715 – 0815 each Wednesday
  • Sport Medicine Research & Clinical Rounds, 0700 – 0800 each Thursday
  • Combined Sport Medicine/Arthroplasty Rounds, 0700 – 0800 each Friday
  • 2 – 3 OR days per week
  • 2 clinic days per week

Operating Room Experience

Fellows perform as primary surgeon or first assist for all cases. The consultant is typically in close proximity for all cases. The degree of supervision depends on the skill and comfort level of each fellow.

Team Coverage

  • Mustang Varsity Sports
  • London Knights (OHL)
  • London Lightning (NBL)

About London, Ontario

Please visit the Tourism London website for information about London

For further information and application, please contact the Orthopaedic Sport Medicine Fellowship Director:

Dr. Robert Litchfield
Professor, Orthopaedic Surgery
c/o Stacey Wanlin
Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic
3M Centre, Western University
1151 Richmond Street
London, Ontario, Canada N6A 3K7
Email: swanlin@uwo.ca