Today@Sam Article

SHSU-COM Launches New Sports Medicine Fellowship in Huntsville


SHSU Media Contact: Campbell Atkins

Fueled by a relentless drive to strengthen local health initiatives and the next generation of Texas physicians, SHSU-COM launched a Huntsville-based sports medicine fellowship program in August. Fellows will focus on sports medicine in collaboration with local and university staples, including Sam Houston Athletics.

By Brittany Foreman

Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (SHSU-COM), through the Sam Houston Regional Education Consortium (SHREC), is launching a new sports medicine fellowship program based in Huntsville. The program has received initial accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). 

The program welcomed its first fellow in August 2025, with a second slated to join in September. A fellowship is advanced training that comes after a physician has already completed medical school and residency. It allows doctors to gain deeper experience in a specific area. In this case, fellows focus on sports medicine, learning how to care for athletes and active patients with muscle, joint and bone injuries. 

Sports medicine fellowship inaugural class members:  

  • Steven Doyel, D.O. 
  • Rachel Holeman, D.O. 

“This fellowship is an exciting addition to SHREC’s growing network of graduate medical education programs,” said Thomas J. Mohr, D.O., dean of SHSU-COM. “It helps bring more advanced training to Texas doctors and strengthens care in communities like Huntsville.” 

Each year, the fellowship will train two doctors in a one-year program that includes care on the sidelines and in clinics. The program is currently accepting applications through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) and will take part in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).  

The fellowship partners with Sam Houston Athletics, which sponsors 16 NCAA Division I varsity sports teams. Fellows will have the opportunity to serve in the role of Assistant Team Physician. They will also take part in additional community-based sports medicine training events throughout the Huntsville area, meeting healthcare needs in the region. As part of their clinical experience, fellows are expected to provide care to local patients through the Huntsville Memorial Hospital (HMH) Medical Clinic for primary care services, as well as the HMH Orthopedic Clinic, which offers services for sports-related injuries and musculoskeletal concerns. 

“This fellowship is designed to provide doctors with real experience in different care settings, from clinics to the sidelines,” said Townes “Tucker” Leigh, D.O., the program director. “It is especially meaningful to launch this program in Huntsville, where we already have a strong foundation in primary care with our Family Medicine residency at HMH.”  

Dr. Leigh previously served as the program director of the SHREC/HMH Family Medicine Residency Program and will transition to focus on the leadership and development of the new fellowship. Ouida Collins, M.D., MPH, will serve as the interim program director for the SHREC/HMH Family Medicine Residency Program while a new permanent director is selected.  

This new program is supported by SHSU-COM and SHREC. SHREC was founded in 2023 and is housed within SHSU-COM. It is an ACGME-accredited institutional sponsor, which oversees and helps manage residency and fellowship programs across East Texas. Its goal is to increase medical training opportunities, especially in rural and medically underserved communities. 

For questions regarding the fellowship or the application process, contact Alyssa Babbs at gme@hmh.cc.  

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