Leadership and faculty
John Dorsey, MD, is the Chief Medical Officer, Vice President of Physician Services and DIO of Mercyhealth GME Consortium. He is a graduate of The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences and is board certified in internal medicine.
Dr. Dorsey completed his residency in internal medicine at Hershey Medical Center at Penn State University and a fellowship in geriatrics at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.
Medical school: Midwestern University – Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Amita Resurrection Medical Center, chief resident
Sports Medicine Fellowship: Amita Resurrection Medical Center
Team coverage: Rockford IceHogs, Rockford University, Crystal Lake South and Cary-Grove High Schools
“Sports medicine has been a passion of mine since I was a resident. I love all ages of athletes from teenagers to geriatrics. As an osteopathic physician, physical/musculoskeletal health has been crucial to patient success. My program is well-rounded with an emphasis on learning and being a teacher. I am excited about the program and we have so much to offer here at Mercyhealth!”
Medical school: Midwestern University – Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Amita Resurrection Medical Center, chief resident
Sports Medicine Fellowship: Amita Resurrection Medical Center
Team coverage: Rockford IceHogs, Rockford University and Crystal Lake Central High School
Sue Sweeney is the Graduate Medical Education Manager for Mercyhealth GME Consortium in Rockford. She is a graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University and holds a Master’s Degree from the University of St. Francis in Health Services Administration. In addition to working in ACGME-accredited residencies, she has experience in health system operations, quality improvement, compliance and privacy.
Candice Lavender graduated from Fox College, Bedford Park, IL, with an Associate’s Degree in Medical Assisting and Bachelor’s Degree from Rasmussen College, Rockford, IL, in health care management and administration. She has been with Mercyhealth since 2016 and enjoys the different roles she’s held. As fellowship program coordinator, she oversees daily administrative duties for fellows and faculty and assists the program director in accreditation, education and support of the fellows.
Medical school: Midwestern University – Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Advocate Lutheran General Family Practice
Fellowship: Amita Resurrection Medical Center
Team coverage: Team physician for Rockford IceHogs
Medical school: Des Moines University
Residency: Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC)/New York College of Osteopathic Medical Education Consortium
Fellowship: Beacon Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Team coverage: Rockford University and Cary-Grove High School
Medical school: Southern Illinois University, Springfield, IL
Internship: Residency Internal Medicine/Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
Residency: Internal Medicine/Pediatrics, Rush Medical Center
Residency: Orthopedic Residency, Cleveland Clinic
Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship: Cleveland Clinic
Adult and Pediatric Orthopedic Sports Medicine Fellowship: Boston Children’s Hospital – Harvard
Team coverage: Prairie Ridge High School
Medical school: University of Illinois at Rockford
Residency: Advocate Christ Medical Center - Emergency Medicine
Sports Medicine Fellowship: Advocate Lutheran General Hospital
Team coverage: Rockford University, D115 high schools
“I strongly believe that participation in sports and physical activity provides countless benefits to both physical and mental health. As a sports medicine physician I am dedicated to helping athletes and patients of all ages and abilities stay physically active, recover from injuries and get back to what they love to do!”