The sports medicine fellowship at Yale continues to define the future of orthopedic care with a new focus on joint preservation and the evolving role of biologics.
Drawing on a diverse international medical background and deep technical curiosity, Harrison Volaski, MD, will be exploring treatments that maximize the body’s natural healing ability.
His path to Yale has been winding, from a New York junkyard, aquatic competition, and medical school in Tel Aviv to New Haven for a sports medicine fellowship in the Department of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation that will begin in 2027.
Growing up in Poughquag, N.Y., Volaski learned the value of hard work and mechanical precision at an early age. As the oldest of three boys in a Polish-Belarusian household, he spent his formative years working with his hands.
When he was not working in the junkyard, Volaski was in the pool. He became a Division I swimmer at American University where he raced internationally and qualified for the USA nationals.
Volaski’s interest in sports medicine was not only academic; it became personal. As an elite athlete who competed in the 100 and 200 backstroke and the 200 individual medley, he witnessed firsthand the physical and emotional impact of sports injuries and saw several teammates’ seasons end abruptly.
"I understand the emotional toll that comes with injury," Volaski explains. "Seeing my teammates return stronger after surgery thanks to excellent orthopedic care inspired me to play that same role for others."
After earning a degree in public health and working as an emergency department scribe, he moved to Israel to attend the Sackler School of Medicine at Tel Aviv University. He returned to New York for a research year in orthopedic oncology, and will be completing his residency at the Montefiore Einstein Medical Center.
Next year, Volaski will join a prestigious, one-year ACGME-accredited sports medicine fellowship at Yale. This fellowship provides comprehensive training in the prevention and treatment of injuries for active patients of all ages. Volaski will be participating in advanced surgical cases, clinical research, and team coverage, ensuring he meets the highest standards for board certification in this subspecialty.
Beyond the clinic, Volaski has a passion for motorized vehicles and a deep appreciation for the perfect cup of espresso.