CASEM Milestone: 1000 CASEM Diplomas Awarded
CASEM is proud to announce that in 2025, we have reached an extraordinary milestone, our 1000th Diploma in Sport and Exercise Medicine (Dip. Sport Med.) has been awarded.
“Awarding the 1000th Diploma in Sport and Exercise Medicine is not only a celebration of our past, but a testament to the strength and future of sport medicine in Canada. The Dip. Sport Med. has become a marker of excellence, and we are so proud of every physician who has earned it.” -Dr. Kim Coros, CASEM President.
The origins of the CASEM exam go back to the late 1980s, when members sought a way to formally recognize and develop the competence of those practicing sport medicine in Canada. At the time, Royal College specialty examinations often preceded the creation of residency programs, serving as the catalyst for structured training. Following this model, it was felt that sport medicine education and evaluation would be best supported by the establishment of an examination process.
To make this vision a reality, the CASEM Credentials Committee, chaired by Dr. Andrew Pipe, was formed. Its membership included leading physicians, surgeons, and scientists from across Canada. They represented a variety of disciplines such as orthopaedic surgery, internal medicine, family medicine, primary care sport medicine, rehabilitation medicine, and exercise physiology, from both community and academic practices.
The committee’s first step was to define the domains of sport medicine. These were identified as:
Clinical patient care
Team and event coverage
Education, research, and publication
Medico-legal and administrative issues
A sport medicine physician, it was agreed, should be capable of examining and managing injured athletes, understanding the needs of individuals, teams, and competitions, appreciating the principles and limitations of research, and recognizing the unique obligations and responsibilities that come with caring for athletes.
From there, the committee determined that the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) would be the most appropriate format. This simulation-based exam allows for the objective evaluation of not only knowledge, but also the skills and behaviours needed in real clinical practice.
The first CASEM exam took place in 1989, with 53 physicians sitting. By 2020, 865 Canadian physicians had successfully completed the exam. Today, in 2025, CASEM celebrates awarding its 1000th diploma.
Physicians who have earned this credential proudly carry the Dip. Sport Med. designation, a marker of special competency in sport and exercise medicine. The exam is now offered annually, in both French and English, and has become a key prerequisite in Canada for physician selection to national teams and all Major Games.
Beyond the Games, the CASEM Diploma is recognized by stakeholders at the provincial and federal level as a benchmark of expertise. More recently, it has even been referenced by certain provincial governments as a criterion for specific billing code allocation—further underscoring its importance in the Canadian health system.
The Credentials Committee continues to evolve the exam, ensuring the OSCE scenario bank reflects the changing landscape of sport and exercise medicine. Thanks to their tireless efforts, the CASEM Diploma remains a standard of excellence and a source of pride for physicians and the athletes they serve.
Congratulations to all who hold the Dip. Sport Med.—and especially to our newest milestone, the 1000th recipient.
Credit and thanks to Credential’s Committee Chief Examiner, Dr. Tatiana Jevremovic, for creating the above “CASEM Heritage Moment” about the exam and also sharing it via video!