Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Fellowship

The goal of our Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Fellowship is to attract energetic, inquisitive, talented young surgeons devoted to becoming true experts in the field. This includes being a superb clinician, surgeon, and team physician. We hope to attract residents who have already set themselves apart from the routine applicant by being incredible doctors in the office and demonstrating a strong grasp of surgical aptitude and excellence. Our fellowship is unique because our fellows have four months of dedicated education in pediatric and adolescent sports medicine.

It is our intent that we train physicians dedicated to life-long learning and be equipped to contribute to the field of Orthopaedic Sports Medicine.

Number of Fellows

2

ACGME accredited

Duration

1 Year

August 1 through July 31

Accreditation

ACGME, AOSSM, AANA

Announcing a New Era in UConn Sports Medicine Fellowship Under the Leadership of Dr. Katherine Coyner

After 23 remarkable years at the helm, Bob Arciero, MD, is entrusting the leadership of the Fellowship Director to Katherine Coyner, MD, MBA, marking a new chapter in the UConn Sports Medicine Fellowship Program.

Dr. Arciero, a revered figure in sports medicine, has led the program with distinction, nurturing it into one of the nation's most respected fellowships. His choice to transition from his role as fellowship director after two decades of steadfast commitment reflects a positive and forward-thinking approach, filled with optimism for the program's future under new leadership

While embarking on this new journey, Dr. Arciero will continue to have a strong presence in the program. He remains committed to providing clinical care, education, mentorship, and engaging in research activities.

Dr. Katherine Coyner, who has been a part of the UConn team since 2016 and served as Associate Fellowship Director since 2020, is set to take on the role with her impressive credentials and vision for the program. Recognized twice as the Teacher of the Year in the past three years, Dr. Coyner has been instrumental in upholding our high teaching standards, especially during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Her recent completion of an MBA and participation in the prestigious ELAM leadership fellowship showcases her commitment to continuous growth and leadership excellence. Under Dr. Coyner’s stewardship, our program has incorporated a regular bioskills schedule, greatly enhancing our fellows' learning experience. Her efforts in cadaver procurement have been highly commended, significantly strengthening one of the program's key aspects.

Her election to the Board of Directors of AOSSM as a member at large is a testament to her emerging leadership in the field.

Dr. Arciero confidently endorses Dr. Coyner, "Her readiness and enthusiasm for this role are unmistakable. I fully support her appointment as the new fellowship director and am excited for the program's future under her guidance."

This transition marks not only a change in leadership but also a reaffirmation of the program's enduring commitment to excellence, innovation, and the nurturing of future leaders in sports medicine.

Welcome Message From the Director

We sincerely appreciate your interest in the University of Connecticut’s Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Fellowship program. We are extremely proud of our program and believe it offers one of the richest orthopaedic sports medicine training experiences in the world. Our mission is to train inquisitive, talented surgeons dedicated to providing expert sports medicine care and increasing the fund of knowledge in our specialty. We believe that fellows trained in our program are well-equipped to pursue a career in academic medicine or private practice in the community setting. Please examine this page to gather information about our program and explore our clinical Orthopedics & Sports Medicine website. We look forward to hearing from you in the near future.

Sincerely,
Katherine Coyner, MD, MBA
Associate Professor, Orthopaedic Surgery, UConn Health
Director, Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Fellowship Program, UConn Health
UConn Musculoskeletal Institute

Dr. Katherine J. Coyner

Coach Geno Auriemma on the Sports Medicine Fellowship Program

Hall of Fame women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma explains how important the UConn Health Sports Medicine Fellowship Program is in keeping his athletes healthy and winning championships.

Robert A. Arciero, MD, Former Director of the Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Fellowship Program

“My time at UConn was immensely rewarding, offering top-notch training and mentorship. I finished well-equipped to perform a wide array of cases, both routine and complex. I had a great experience working with sports teams at UConn, and enjoyed the diversity of cases both pediatric and adult. Overall, the fellowship honed not only my technical skills, but also my decision-making abilities, leaving me thoroughly prepared and confident as I transitioned to practice.” – Ben Mayo, MD

“This program exemplifies everything a fellowship should be and more. The unparalleled blend of hands-on operative training, clinical mentorship, research opportunities, and team coverage exposure is phenomenal. The UConn family, including office and surgical staff, research scientists, residents, and faculty, were impressively supportive.” – Sheeba Joseph, MD

“The diversity of cases we are exposed to here – from skeletally immature patients with impairments to elite athletes requiring complex reconstructions to aging patients with chronic conditions – is second to none. But what really sets this program apart is the exceptional group of clinicians we get to work with every day who not only teach by example, but are true mentors.” – Joel Huleatt, MD

“This fellowship is unparalleled in its education of young surgeons. The faculty are dedicated to ensuring that the fellows are knowledgeable and technically skilled in order to provide the best patient care possible. I am so grateful for my time at UConn and feel that it has provided me with a solid foundation to excel in my career.” – Laura Vogel, MD