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The first program of its kind, the Motorsports Medicine Fellowship trains physicians in the evaluation and treatment of high-velocity and ultra high-velocity crash injuries, race injury prevention and promotion of safety in the motorsports industry.
Dr. Melissa McCarthy engages with a driver in a blue racecar during a stop.

Motorsports Medicine Fellowship

Photo courtesy of IndyCar

Motorsports Medicine encompasses a unique body of knowledge and a skill set that is not currently available in other medical subspecialty training. The present generation of motorsports physicians has learned the discipline through “on the job” training and years of mentoring from some of the pioneers in motorsports medicine. Conference attendance, discussions and shared experiences also contribute to their knowledge.

The first program of its kind, the Indiana University School of Medicine Motorsports Medicine Fellowship is a formal one-year program that provides a more universally accepted approach to the evaluation and treatment of high-velocity and ultra high-velocity crash injuries, race injury prevention and promotion of safety in the motorsports industry.

How to Apply

Prospective fellows must submit their applications to Julia Vaizer, MD and Colleen Friedly. Applications must include a letter of intent/personal statement, three letters of recommendation and curriculum vitae.

 

The training includes various types of motorsports disciplines to provide for the identification of principles applicable to all, as well as those unique to each discipline. The motorsports medicine fellow will not only be exposed to practical approaches to the evaluation, management and rehabilitation of injuries sustained by participants of the sport, but also to post-crash investigation and identification of measures to prevent injury and promote safety. Training involves coordination with multiple motorsports series to provide for diverse experiences throughout the industry.

The fellowship offers a unique opportunity to learn about various aspects of health care delivery during mass gathering events. Since motorsports involves spectators, medical directors of motorsports facilities are responsible for the care of spectators who become ill or injured at the facility. The motorsports fellow is trained in planning for the provision of medical care at racing facilities. This planning focuses on on-site care, identification of local resources for individuals requiring advanced management and interfacing with local EMS, public safety agencies and local hospitals.

Video

Facilities

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway serves as the primary training site. A variety of other motorsports facilities are also used.


Fellowship faculty pose for a group photo on the race track.

Program Leadership

FELLOWSHIP DIRECTOR
50384-Vaizer, Julia

Julia Vaizer, MD

Assistant Professor of Clinical Emergency Medicine

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Clinical Education Coordinator

Colleen Friedly

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CORE FACULTY
13700-Billows, Geoffrey

Geoffrey L. Billows, MD

Assistant Professor Emeritus of Clinical Emergency Medicine

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CORE FACULTY
12648-O'Donnell, Daniel

Daniel P. O'Donnell, MD

Associate Professor of Clinical Emergency Medicine

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core faculty
11794-Fiege, Angela

Angela B. Fiege, MD

Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine

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CORE Faculty
1473-Rusk, Debra

Debra S. Rusk, MD

Assistant Dean for Student Affairs

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