News

The National Football League, together with the NFL Physicians Society (NFLPS) and the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society (PFATS), today announced the roster of medical students who will participate in the third year of the NFL Diversity in Sports Medicine Pipeline Initiative. Launched in 2022, the league-wide 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.

Students from 21 medical schools, including two students from Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU) have been matched with NFL clubs across the league for one-month clinical rotations focused on primary care sports medicine and/or orthopedic surgery. Mohit Bandla from CDU has been assigned to the Dallas Cowboys and Raimel Brooks from CDU will complete rotations with the Los Angeles Rams. The rotations provide students with the opportunity to learn from and work directly with club medical staff as they deliver care to players across the league. Student clinical rotations will begin as training camps open for the 2024 NFL season next month.

“I am so excited to be a part of this amazing program,” shared Raimel Brooks, a student in the CDU/UCLA MD program. “To learn from the field’s best and brightest is an incredible opportunity!”

“I am super excited to work with a sports medicine team at an elite level and learn how various members work synergistically to ensure the highest possible standard of player wellness,” said Mohit Bandla, also a student in the CDU/UCLA MD program. “I hope to engage with as many members of the team as possible and incorporate their experiences and practices into my own patient interactions, both athletes and non-athletes, in the future.”

“The NFL and clubs across the league are excited to welcome this year’s class of medical students and offer them the unique opportunity to complete clinical rotations with NFL club medical staffs,” said Dr. Allen Sills, NFL Chief Medical Officer. “We have an impressive group of participants joining us from a growing roster of medical schools this season as we continue our efforts to bring interested diverse and underrepresented medical students into the sports medicine professional pipeline.”

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, athletic trainers, dietitians, mental health clinicians, strength & conditioning coaches, equipment managers, and others to gain medical knowledge and exposure to patient care in sports medicine. Students will also become familiar with return-to-play protocols and on-field treatment considerations for NFL players. 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.

Since expanding the initiative league-wide last season, the NFL has been working to include additional disciplines and roles from the its player care “Team Behind the Team” in the program, including physician assistants, certified athletic trainers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, nutritionists and behavioral health clinicians. The NFL, NFLPS and PFATS are also partnering with clubs to help expose high school students to the field of sports medicine through community events.

The Diversity in Sports Medicine Pipeline Initiative is part of the league’s broader commitment to ensure that staff and leaders in the league office and at NFL clubs reflect the racial and gender makeup of America. This is the third season that CDU, one of the initial participants in this program, has had students join rotations for NFL teams.