FAQs

What specialties do you accept?

We will consider candidates who have a background in any primary care specialty, including family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics, as well as candidates from physical medicine & rehabilitation and emergency medicine. We accept candidates with J-1 visas but not H1b visas.

How long has your program been in existence?

The Maine Dartmouth Sports Medicine Fellowship, first named Evergreen Sports Medicine Fellowship,  received initial accreditation from the ACGME effective July 1, 2013 and graduated its first class of 2 fellows in June of 2014.

What it is like to live in Central Maine?

Life in Maine is truly unique – the pace is a bit slower and year round there are amazing outdoor opportunities. The greater Central Maine region is characterized by small towns that are nestled among peaceful hills, lakes and rivers. Many of these towns are historically known as “mill towns” but have found new life with reclamation of old mill buildings for new businesses. The community has several festivals throughout the year. Many of the Maine-Dartmouth community live right on or near water – coming home from work in the summer is like being on vacation each night. Fishing, swimming, kayaking, biking and hiking as well as cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing can be daily activities depending on the season.

Waterville is home to Colby College and Augusta is the state capital. Though both are considered “small towns,” they are host to a diverse and often quirky collection of cultural opportunities. Railroad Square Cinema in Waterville is a classic art house theatre that also sponsors the Maine International Film Festival each summer. There are several eclectic and organic restaurants in the area as well as a great home-town brew-pub. We even have a family-owned sushi restaurant that can compete with any urban establishment! Our location in the center of the state also makes it easy to spend a weekend hiking in stunning Acadia National Park or visiting Portland or Boston for a fix of city life.  There are many nearby alpine and Nordic skiing opportunities within easy driving distance of both Waterville and Augusta.

Finding work for partners and spouses has not proven to be a challenge for most people. Our well-connected community of staff and faculty work hard to assist with transitions – everything from finding a used car to making day-care recommendations.

Though some of us are Maine natives who already know the secret of life here, we often find that those “from away” become hooked and find it hard to leave!

What is it really like to live in Maine in the winter?

The winter experience can differ substantially between coastal, interior, and northern regions of the state and vary widely from year to year. Each winter guarantees occasional Nor’easters resulting in large snowfall totals and a string of sub-zero-temperature days, but snowfalls of less than 8 inches and temperatures in the single digits and teens are more common. Some winters are characterized by freezing rain and ice. The coldest and snowiest month tends to be February. Plows are abundant so roads are kept reasonably well-cleared but good snow tires make travel safer. Our longer winter season leads to an abundance of outdoor winter activities and sporting opportunities.

How will I be assigned to a site?

After candidates are matched to the program, site assignment will be determined based on preference.

Will I spend a lot of time traveling between sites?

We make every effort to limit travel between sites, but it is inevitable. Travel is a necessary part of the fellowship experience to maximize the large number of onsite opportunities for learning.

Is it hard to find housing for a year?

As in a lot of markets around the country, housing in Maine is in short supply, and affordability can vary depending on distance to Portland, the coast, or Maine’s lakes region. We recommend that incoming fellows initiate housing arrangements as soon as possible after they match. Maine-Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency and our regional hospital system present a large community for networking, and incoming fellows are encouraged to take advantage of this by contacting the fellowship to discuss resources.

Will I be able to pass my CAQ exam upon graduation from your fellowship?

Graduates to date have found that Maine Dartmouth Sports Medicine Fellowship prepares them well for passing the certificate of added qualification exam. Fellows participate in the in-training exam and find the results helpful in guiding their education and study.

What does your compensation package look like?

For the 2023-24 academic year, the salary is $72,443. Fellows are given five conference days for continuing medical education and provided with an educational conference stipend of $850; reimbursement up to $1000.00 is available for relocation/moving expenses when relocating for the fellowship. Travel costs are reimbursed at the rate of 0.625/mile.

The fellowship provides payment in full for:

  • Medical education license
  • Membership to ACSM
  • Membership to NEACSM
  • Membership to AMSSM
  • Medical malpractice insurance

Fellows have the ability to participate in health insurance (there are 2 plans to choose from), dental insurance, and medical / daycare reimbursement accounts.

Can I take vacation time during the fellowship year?

Fellows receive two weeks of paid time off and must submit a request to use their time six weeks in advance. Requests must be approved by the program director. Fellows also have opportunities to take additional time away for CME and job interviews.

Fellows are required to present cases and/or research projects at the yearly meetings for NEACSM, AMSSM and ACSM; compensatory time off is provided.