In this session, chaired by Yorkshire Training Programme Director Professor Dane Vishnubala: Sport and Exercise Medicine (SEM) consultants and SEM Educational Supervisors: Dr Andrew Hogg and Dr Craig Zalecki, together with SEM Registrar ST4 and FSEM’s Registrar Lead: Dr Montana Jackson, provide a comprehensive insight into specialist training in Sport and Exercise Medicine within the NHS.
With SEM recognised as a highly competitive specialty, the panel will share practical advice on how to strengthen your application, maximise your ST3 point score, and successfully navigate the recruitment process. They will also offer first-hand perspectives on what life as a trainee entails, and discuss the key considerations when deciding whether to apply for SEM training. This informative and interactive session is ideal for doctors considering specialist SEM training.
Aimed at: Medical students, FY1-2, CT1-3
Dr Dane Vishnubala MBBS, MSc (Med Ed), FRCGP, MSc (SEM), DipSEM (UK), FFSEM, SFHEA, PhD, is a dual-trained physician who initially completed his General Practice training in York before pursuing specialist training in Sport and Exercise Medicine in Yorkshire. He holds an MSc in Sport and Exercise Medicine, an MSc in Medical Education, and a PhD in Medical Sciences. Dane currently serves as a Consultant Physician in Sport and Exercise Medicine for the Ministry of Defence in Catterick. He is also the Chief Medical Officer for Basketball England/GB Basketball, and Volleyball England.
Privately, Dr Vishnubala practices at the Yorkshire Sports Medicine Clinic in York. He has a strong interest in physical activity and preventive health, drawing on 20 years of experience in the health and fitness industry as both an exercise professional and the founder of CORE Fitness Education, a fitness education training provider. He is the lead doctor for the Sport England-funded National Physical Activity Health Care Professionals Education Programme, delivered through FSEM.
Dane has served on the UK Chief Medical Officers’ Physical Activity Expert Communications Group and has worked with Public Health England and OHID in various physical activity roles. His extensive contributions to physical activity have earned him the BASEM David Hemery Outstanding Contribution to Lifestyle Medicine Award for 2023.
Dr Vishnubala is passionate about medical education, regularly teaching in areas such as physical activity, musculoskeletal (MSK) health, and sports medicine. He is the current Chair of Education at the British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine (BASEM) and serves as the Clinical Lead for the MSc in Sport and Exercise Medicine at the University of Leeds. His research focusses on SEM medical education and concussion, and he has produced several research outputs in these areas.
He is also the Training Programme Director (TPD) for Sport and Exercise Medicine Specialist Training in Yorkshire and Humber, and he serves as the curriculum co-lead for the Sport and Exercise Medicine Specialist Advisory Committee. Additionally, he holds an academic role as an Honorary Senior Lecturer in Public Health at Imperial College London and as a Visiting Professor in Sport and Exercise Medicine at the University of Derby.
Dr Jackson is a Sport and Exercise Medicine (SEM) ST4 Registrar based in London, currently on a General Practice rotation with a longitudinal attachment at West Ham United FC. Before joining the SEM training programme, she completed Internal Medicine Training in London and gained full MRCP(UK). She is keen to embed SEM principles into everyday clinical practice across all specialties and roles, with a strong belief in the importance of physical activity for improving population health. As part of this commitment, she helps deliver national education to healthcare professionals through the Physical Activity Clinical Champions (PACC) programme.
During her F3 year, she completed an MSc in Sports Medicine, Exercise and Health at University College London with Distinction, where she was nominated to the Dean’s List and received the BASEM MSc Bursary. She enjoys contributing to SEM education through teaching at a range of levels, national presentations, and the development of resources to support SEM trainees. She is a member of BASEM and FSEM and currently serves as an FSEM Lead Resident Representative, advocating for trainees nationally. Alongside her clinical work, she is a national-level triple jumper, currently ranked 9th in the UK (2025). She has won senior medals at the British Indoor Championships and previously represented England as a junior.
Dr Craig Zalecki BSc (Hons) MBBS MRCGP FFSEM Dip SEM (UK&I) PGCert (MSK US), is a Consultant in Sport and Exercise Medicine and Senior Clinical Tutor on the MSc in Sport and Exercise Medicine at the University of Leeds.
Craig completed his undergraduate studies at King’s College London before reading Medicine at University College London, where he was awarded a cadetship with the British Army. Following military service, he completed GP training in Oxford and subsequently higher specialty training in Sport and Exercise Medicine in Leeds.
Dr Zalecki has extensive experience in elite sport, having served as Team Doctor for the GB Basketball Senior Women’s Team and worked with GB Boxing at the English Institute of Sport, as well as Leeds Rhinos Academy. He currently practises as a Consultant for the Ministry of Defence, providing specialist musculoskeletal care to military personnel and infantry recruits at Catterick Garrison and as a Consultant at Yorkshire Sports Medicine in York. His clinical interests focus on the management of musculoskeletal problems and the application of exercise in rehabilitation.
Outside of medicine, Dr Zalecki is keen to be outdoors whenever possible. He can occasionally be found soaking wet halfway up a mountain, freezing in a snow hole or kayaking too far out to sea.
Andrew completed Sport & Exercise Medicine specialty training in Sheffield in 2017, following his Foundation programme in Newcastle and ACCS (Acute Med) in Manchester. His main current role is with the UK Sports Institute, where he is Sports Medicine Lead, CMO to 2 Paralympic NGBs and Brain Health Lead. He is also Chief Medical Officer to Yorkshire Cricket & the Northern Superchargers franchise. He holds additional roles as a Pre-Hospital Immediate Care instructor, UK Anti-doping educator & FSEM Council member.
Following SEM training he was appointed as South Yorkshire’s first substantive NHS Consultant in Sport & Exercise Medicine at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals. He worked as team doctor for GB Boxing for 10 years, including travelling with them to their most successful Olympic Games in Tokyo. He was also part of the HQ medical team for ParalympicsGB in Paris and Team Scotland at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. He has been team doctor for Leeds Rhinos & Sheffield Eagles RLFCs and worked as Match Day Doctor for Premiership rugby. Other previous roles include Head of Medical for Scotland Rugby League at the 2022 World Cup and CMO to TeamGB at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics, British Wheelchair Basketball, British Universities Sport & the UK School Games.
