Blog

Dr. Ahmed to Cover US Olympic Team

Posted on 12-20-2024 in Foot/Ankle by Dr. Sonya Ahmed

Dr. Sonya Ahmed, a board-certified and fellowship-trained foot and ankle surgeon and Partner at the Nilssen Orthopedics Ankle and Foot Center, is proud to announce that she will provide orthopaedic and sports medicine coverage for the US Olympic Team at the ANOC World Beach Games Qatar 2019. The Games, which were originally slated to take place in San Diego, CA, will run from October 12-16 in Doha, Qatar. Dr. Ahmed is excited about the opportunity to once again provide team coverage on behalf of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee.

WHAT ARE THE WORLD BEACH GAMES?

The inaugural 2019 World Beach Games is a multi-sport event hosted by the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), an international sports federation comprised of the various National Olympic Committees that belong to the International Olympic Committee, plus eight associate National Olympic Committees that are recognized by their respective continental associations. The games will bring together over 1,300 athletes from more than 90 countries in the peninsular nation of Qatar, where they will compete in a variety of events both on and off the beach. The complete lineup of sports participating in the Games includes:

  • 3-on-3 Basketball
  • Beach Soccer
  • Beach Handball
  • Karate Kata
  • Kitefoil Racing
  • Skateboarding
  • Bouldering (Sport Climbing)
  • Long and Shortboard Surfing
  • Open Water Swimming (5km)
  • Beach Tennis
  • Aquathlon (Swimming + Running)
  • 4-on-4 Beach Volleyball
  • Wakeboarding
  • Waterski Jumping
  • Beach Wrestling

DR. SONYA AHMED

Sonya Ahmed, MD is a board-certified and fellowship-trained Orthopedic Surgeon with expertise in treating disorders of the foot and ankle. Dr. Ahmed graduated from a combined BA/MD 6-year program at the University of Missouri Kansas City with a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry and a Doctor of Medicine with distinction. As if completing college and medical school in 6 years was not difficult enough, she managed to also earn a scholarship in Track and Field at UMKC, ultimately becoming the school’s first competitive, conference-winning female pole vaulter. In addition to her early success as an elite-level gymnast, Dr. Ahmed was also the first female pole vaulter to be inducted into the UMKC Hall of Fame. 

Following graduation, Dr. Ahmed completed a residency in Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas where she received the Hutchings Endowed Scholarship Award for Academic Excellence in Orthopedic Surgery. She went on to complete a dedicated foot and ankle fellowship at the American Sports Medicine Institute under the tutelage of the prestigious Drs. James Andrews, Angus McBryde, John Gould, and John Kirchner.

Dr. Ahmed’s experience and achievements speak to her expertise and reputation, and the World Beach Games will not be her first foray into the world of covering elite athletes. During her career, she has served as a consultant to the San Diego Chargers, the San Diego Padres, and has been the team physician for various high school and collegiate teams. Not will the Games be her first experience working with Olympians; Dr. Ahmed previously served as a regional medical provider for the United States Olympic Team, during which time she cared for medal-winning athletes on the rugby, track and field, volleyball, figure skating, and paralympic teams. She was also hand-selected by the United States Olympic Committee to be the Chief Medical Officer for the Youth Winter Olympic Games in 2016.

HOW TO WATCH

If you are interested in following the 2019 World Beach Games, a schedule of all the Games’ live-stream offerings can be found here. You can also follow the action on social media using the Games’ Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook accounts. While the Games will not be available via television broadcast in the United States, the ANOC has made a concerted effort to provide vibrant streaming options for American fans of the Games. We look forward to following Dr. Ahmed’s journey and cheering on Team USA!

Save or share this information:

Check out some of our related posts:

Hurt During the Holidays: Orthopaedic Urgent Care

The holiday season is a time for joy, celebration, and... unfortunately, sometimes injuries. At North Florida Bone & Joint Specialists (NFBJS), we understand that accidents happen, especially when juggling holiday decorations, gifts and activities. That's why we're proud to offer the Hurt! app — your trusted resource for managing acute orthopaedic injuries, available 24/7, 365 days a year.

Read More
Kronlage and O'Grady Perform Life-changing Outreach

Late last month, North Florida Bone and Joint Specialists orthopaedic surgeons Dr. Steven Kronlage and Dr. Chris O'Grady performed a life-changing procedure on two ½-year-old Nassir Andrew from Grenada through their newly formed non-profit, Hands of Hope Medical Mission (HoHMM). Drs. Kronlage and O'Grady, who also serve as Co-Presidents of HoHMM, performed the organization's first sponsored stateside patient operation at the Andrews Institute Ambulatory Surgery Center.

Read More
Family Health History And Your Care

With National Family Health History Day approaching next week on Thanksgiving, it’s an ideal time to consider family health history’s role in your orthopaedic and sports medicine care. While many people think of family health history in relation to heart disease or cancer, a family history of orthopaedic conditions like arthritis, osteoporosis and other joint and bone issues can also impact your own risk and health management. Understanding and documenting your family health history can empower you and your orthopaedic provider to proactively manage or prevent conditions that could affect your long-term mobility and quality of life.

Read More
Back to the Blog