Postgraduate Education

Residency in Sports Medicine, Rehabilitation, and Integrative Medicine

The Animal Medical Center is offering a three-year Residency in Sports Medicine, Rehabilitation, and Integrative Medicine. The residency is offered on a one-year contract basis, eligible for yearly renewal. The goal of the program is to graduate a candidate that will successfully complete all the requirements of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation and pass the board examinations. In addition to rehabilitation training, individuals will have intimate exposure to disciplines in integrative medicine, including acupuncture and pain management.

Our Facility & Staff

Our state-of-the art facility includes 2 underwater treadmills, land treadmill, class 3b and class IV lasers, shockwave, therapeutic ultrasound, Game Ready cryotherapy, overhead lift for paretic patients, pulsed electromagnetic field therapy mats and portable devices, TENS, NMES, Hakomed pain management hydro tub, GaitFour gait analysis, and all standard exercise equipment. In addition, we offer regenerative medicine including platelet rich plasma and stem cell therapy, as well as musculoskeletal diagnostic ultrasound. In addition, the department is actively conducting clinical trials related to rehabilitation and sports medicine. The resident will be expected to plan and execute primary clinical research leading to peer reviewed publication in addition to participating in other ongoing clinical studies in the department.

The Rehabilitation/Integrative Medicine team at the AMC is comprised of a staff veterinarian certified in rehabilitation and acupuncture (boarded diplomate in Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation), as well as licensed veterinary technicians certified in rehabilitation. Additionally, the AMC houses other rehab certified staff veterinarians boarded in Surgery and Anesthesiology, as well as board specialists in Neurology, Orthopedic and Soft-tissue Surgery, Radiology, Internal Medicine, Oncology, Interventional Radiology, Cardiology, Critical Care, Radiation Oncology, Ophthalmology, and Pathology. The rehabilitation department works closely with all other specialty services creating an atmosphere of dynamic clinical training and experience. One of the prime features of the AMC is an active caseload of more than 50,000 visits per year. This feature exposes the residents to many complex cases, so that experience and confidence increase along with knowledge and exposure. In addition, clinical rotations in other specialty services as required by the ACVSMR can all be completed internally.

Program Details

Resident expectations include receiving primary cases, initial assessment, diagnostic work-up and development of a rehabilitation or integrative medicine treatment plan. Skills acquired and refined during the residency will include gait analysis (visual and computer guided), musculoskeletal palpation, functional neuroanatomy, joint mobilizations, special tests for joint instability, use of goniometry and Gulick tape measure, development of targeted home exercises, use of all rehabilitation modalities, measuring and fitting for assistive devices, prosthetics and orthotics, as well as understanding of pharmaceutical and nutraceutical drugs for pain management. Residents will participate in daily rounds, monthly lunch and learn seminars and sports medicine journal club. In addition, the resident has the option to attend daily didactic lectures and journal clubs of other disciplines. Residents are expected to present a formal in-house lecture to the interns as well as a presentation on their research project. The AMC is accredited to certify individuals in both rehabilitation (CCRT and CCRP) and acupuncture (CVA). Candidates currently enrolled in certification programs for rehabilitation, acupuncture or pain management, may complete their clinical training hours during their residency to achieve full certification.

Additional Details

The AMC owns an apartment complex to serve the housing needs of the house officers with apartments available at below-market rates. The AMC provides health and professional liability insurance. New York state license is required. Additional details about the AMC can be obtained on our website or by contacting Dr. Leilani Alvarez, Director, The Tina Santi Flaherty Rehabilitation & Fitness Service, rehab.team@amcny.org or call 212-329-8610.

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