2026 Panther Fellowship Awarded for Research on Sports Medicine Training in Family Medicine

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 10, 2026

LEAWOOD, Kan. — The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Foundation’s Center for the History of Family Medicine named Jordan Knox, MD, CAQSM, FAAFP, DABFM, as the recipient of the 2026 Sandra L. Panther Fellowship. His project, “Sidelined: Musculoskeletal Competency in Family Medicine Through the Years” will examine the historical evolution of musculoskeletal (MSK) training within family medicine.

Knox is a faculty member and sports medicine specialist at the Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program in Philadelphia. Through his research, he plans to produce a documentary-style video cataloging the evolution of sports medicine in family medicine. He will explore how MSK training evolved from a core competency expected of graduating family physicians to a distinct subspecialty often requiring additional fellowship training and certification.

“I’m excited to see Dr. Knox explore the evolution of musculoskeletal training within family medicine,” said Renee Markovich, MD, FAAFP, President of the AAFP Foundation. “Understanding how changes in education and training influence physicians’ career paths is essential as we work to strengthen the specialty and support the future family medicine workforce.”

The Sandra L. Panther Fellowship supports one recipient per year in conducting a research project at the Center for the History of Family Medicine to advance understanding and appreciation of the specialty’s history. Upon completion of their project, fellows receive a $3,000 award.

Applications for the upcoming cycle open on January 15, 2027, and close on March 31, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. For more information on the Sandra L. Panther Fellowship, please visit the AAFP Foundation webpage.