Alexis LeMone, a fourth year M.D. student at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, has been selected as one of 29 medical students from 21 medical schools across the country to participate in the NFL’s Diversity in Sports Medicine Pipeline Initiative.
Beginning Aug. 5, LeMone will complete a one-month clinical rotation with the Carolina Panthers, where she will observe and participate in the care of players and work directly with and under the supervision of the team physicians and the athletic trainers.
This is the second year that Wake Forest University School of Medicine and the Carolina Panthers have participated in the program.
“I am excited about this opportunity which will allow me to delve deeper into the intersection of medicine and sports which, as a former athlete, is close to my heart,” LeMone said. “I am eager to expand my knowledge of sports medicine, particularly at the professional level, and am looking forward to networking and building relationships with esteemed professionals in the field.”
Now in its third year, the NFL Diversity in Sports Medicine Pipeline Initiative 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 staff.
“We are thrilled to once again be participating in this prestigious initiative with the NFL and the Carolina Panthers that opens more doors for medical students who are underrepresented in medicine,” said Dr. Ebony Boulware, dean of Wake Forest University School of Medicine and chief science officer of Advocate Health, of which the medical school is the academic core. “Alexis will be an incredible physician and the experiences she will gain from her time with the Carolina Panthers will be invaluable as she applies to orthopaedic surgery residency this fall and begins her career once she graduates next year.”
LeMone began swimming at the age of 7 and continued through college. She swam competitively at Davidson College and was the first Black woman in the college’s history to compete on the swim team. During her time at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, she has volunteered at local high school football games, assisting the athletic trainers and team physicians.
“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.”
LeMone plans to incorporate her passions for addressing health disparities and health care inequities through clinical practice, research, mentorship and community service in her future career in orthopaedic surgery.
Media contacts:
Joe McCloskey, jmcclosk@wakehealth.edu; Jenna Kurzyna, jkurzyna@wakehealth.edu