[Filled] 2026-2027 RUSH Sports Medicine Research Fellowship - Dr. Brian Forsythe

Position Title: Clinical Research Fellow 
Positions: 2 
Duration: 1 year 
Who: US medical students between M3/M4 interested in Orthopedic Surgery. Only USA students will be considered. 
Where: Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush University Medical Center, Division of Sports Medicine, Chicago, IL. 
When: Beginning Approx. May 2026
Salary: A monthly stipend is provided 
 Contact Information 

• Contact name 
  • Brian Forsythe 
• City 
  • Chicago 
• State/Province 
  • IL 
• Website 
  • Visit Rush Ortho Sports Medicine Research Fellowship - Dr. Brian Forsythe 
• Email 
  • This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Program Information 

• Fellows per year 
  • 2 
• Accredited 
  • No 

Dr. Brian Forsythe is seeking bright, ambitious medical students who are interested in pursuing a full-time one-year clinical research fellowship. Dr. Forsythe works with the renowned Division of Sports Medicine at Rush University, Chicago, IL. These unique positions (2) are fully funded, by the Tim & Keli Walbert Sports Medicine Research Fund, and an Endowed Chair in Orthopedic Surgery at RUSH. Research fellows work closely with residents, fellows, and faculty at Rush.  Fellows will also have extensive opportunities for publication and presentation of research at national and international conferences. Our team provides the unique opportunity to work for a leader in orthopedic sports medicine, close collaboration with Midwest Orthopaedic at Rush's own biomechanical department, and a fast-paced clinical research lab determined to produce high quality, novel research. Fellows will also conduct sports medicine research at the highest technological level, with a novel brain computer interface technology for sports performance and postoperative rehab. A new, state of the art Sports Medicine Motion Analysis Lab is fully equipped with Kinetics (Marker and Markerless OptiTrack Motion Capture,) Kinesiology (Bertec Force Plate,) and EMG (Delsys,) systems within an 85,000 sq ft. multi-sport facility. An adjacent Cognitive Brain Lab (EEG biofeedback,) is also available to facilitate high level Sports Medicine studies with thousands of participants to choose from.
 
Current Areas of Active Research 

• Neurofeedback Rehabilitation and Sports Performance
• Sports performance biomechanics, using 3-D motion capture and gps tracking data
• Basic science biomechanical studies pertaining to the shoulder/knee 
• Database Studies: Health Claims and National Registry Databases
• Trends in Surgical Management Surgical Technique Videos 
• Return to Sport and Return to Play 
• Biological Therapies (BMAC, PRP, amniotic products, etc.) 
• Patient Reported Outcomes
• Procedure-Specific Outcomes and Complications

 Specific Prerequisites and Characteristics We Look For: 

• Strong motivation for a career in Orthopaedic surgery, with proven research interest
• Computer science/coding and statistics skillsets are preferred
• Strong academic record
• Strong work ethic
• Organized, detail-oriented, proactive and self-starter
• Strong interest in conducting biomechanical studies, coordinating randomized trials and conducting database research
• Desire to become proficient in data analysis and utilize statistical principles
• Can provide own vehicle and is willing to commute to clinical locations

Benefits of the Position: 

• Expectation to publish 15-25 publications/chapters/abstracts at conclusion of research year (Some have published >50)
• Bolstering of competitiveness for a position in an orthopaedic surgery residency 
• Collaboration with Sports Medicine Fellows, residents, and other sports attendings 
• Opportunities to observe surgical procedures 
• Ample opportunities to attend Orthopaedic Grand Rounds, Sports Conferences, Journal Clubs, and Cadaver Labs
• Opportunities to present research at Orthopaedic Conferences 
• Dr. Forsythe expects all applicants to be able to match into Orthopedic Surgery and will help the candidate during the match process. Previous students have matched at Mayo, Harvard, Rush, Tufts, Cleveland Clinic, Columbia, UIC, UBuffalo, Tampa/USF, etc.

Interested candidates should send a brief Cover Letter, CV, Shelf Scores, USMLE step I and/or II scores (if available), and expected starting date to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.