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Fellows participate in a series of rotations that range in length from one day to three weeks. The faculty and subject areas have been chosen because they represent areas certified athletic trainers will encounter in their practice. The length of rotations is related to how frequently certified athletic trainers are likely to deal with a specific condition. Some rotations are only indirectly related -- for example, Fellows spend two weeks in the radiology department at one of the local hospitals. Although athletic trainers will not be administering or interpreting diagnostic imaging, they may certainly be in the position of explaining a test to an athlete. The general and cardiac surgery rotations are great for anatomy and physiology review.

Orthopedic Surgery Rotations

Obviously, a large proportion of the athletic trainer's daily life is concerned with orthopedic and musculoskeletal issues. Consequently, the fellowship includes rotations with five different orthopedic surgeons and two orthopedic physician assistants. Fellows are with the orthopedic faculty during both surgical and clinical hours.

Primary Care Rotations

Appropriate care of ill athletes and those who are gate-kept by their insurance plans brings athletic trainers into fairly regular contact with primary care physicians. Fellows follow the faculty during office hours and occasionally on hospital rounds.

Emergency Care Rotations

Elliot Trauma Center provides twenty-four hour a day critical care services to Manchester and surrounding areas. Approximately 800 major trauma cases are seen each year. As a reflection of its size and depth of resources, The Elliot Trauma Center is designated by the state of New Hampshire as a Level II facility and is the only recognized trauma center in the Manchester area.

Rockingham Ambulance provides emergency medical services for the city of Manchester . In 2004, they answered 10,674 911 calls with 24-hour dedicated paramedic level transport ambulances.

Successful interaction with ambulance and emergency department personnel can make a significant difference in stressful situations. Becoming sensitive to day-to-day emergency medical services operations will help certified athletic trainers understand and work more effectively with emergency personnel. Fellows observe patient care in the trauma center and ride along on ambulance calls.

General and Cardiac Surgery Rotations

General and cardiac surgery rotations take place at Catholic Medical Center, one of two major hospitals in Manchester, New Hampshire . They provide inpatient and outpatient specialty care services including cardiac, thoracic, vascular, spine, orthopedic, general, urology/urodynamics, gynecology, plastics, ear, nose and throat, neurosurgery, podiatry and oral surgery. Catholic Medical Center is one of only 100 hospitals worldwide that has The da Vinci(tm) Intuitive Surgical Robotics System. The New England Heart Institute (NEHI) at Catholic Medical Center is a nationally recognized center of excellence in cardiac care.

Fellows observe a significant volume of orthopedic surgery during rotations with orthopedic faculty. The major requirement for general surgery observation is that the cases not be orthopedic. As such, most general surgery observation is abdominal and is an outstanding anatomy review. Cadaveric dissection is one thing, but seeing living, "breathing" guts is something entirely different. And seeing an open-heart surgery procedure is just cool!

Other M.D. Rotations

Surgical Neurology, Ophthalmology and Dermatology rotations also put the Fellows in physician offices. New for 2007-2008, Fellows will observe ear, nose and throat clinical and surgical cases with Dr. Jeff Byer. Fellows learn a significant amount of eye anatomy and see several ophthalmology surgical cases during the rotation with either Dr. Brown or Dr. Corbit. During the dermatology rotation, Dr. Posnick will teach the Fellows to recognize skin lesions that should be referred to a physician. Dr. Ted Jacobs and his clinical staff provide an opportunity to observe neurosurgical cases.

Chiropractic and Podiatric Rotations

Fellows observe and participate in the chiropractic clinic and spend time with the podiatrist in both clinical and surgical settings.

Bracing and Occupational Therapy Rotations

Fellows observe experienced orthotists, prosthetists, and occupational therapists in clinical and brace fabrication settings as well as in a durable medical equipment retail facility.