UN SPORTS MEDICINE NEWSLETTER
Alumni Spotlight
Dr. Abdulaziz Ahmed
Dr. Abdulaziz Ahmed completed the University of Colorado Sports Medicine Sports Medicine Fellowship during the 2023–2024 academic year. Now practicing at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Dr. Ahmed has continued to build a career focused on complex shoulder and elbow reconstruction, tendon transfers, scapular disorders, and sports medicine care for athletes at all levels. He also serves as a team physician for the Johns Hopkins Blue Jays men's lacrosse program.
Reflecting on his fellowship experience, Dr. Ahmed shared that one of his favorite memories was covering Colorado Buffaloes football games at Folsom Field alongside his co-fellows, Kade McQuivey and Garwin Chen. He described the game-day atmosphere as unforgettable, but emphasized that the mentorship, teamwork, and friendships built throughout the year were what made the experience truly meaningful. Working closely with Dr. McCarty and the rest of the fellowship team, he said, embodied the unique blend of sports medicine, collaboration, and camaraderie that defines the CU Sports Medicine fellowship experience.
When asked what advice he would give future fellows, Dr. Ahmed emphasized the importance of approaching every experience as a learning opportunity. He encouraged trainees to take ownership of their patients, prepare thoroughly for surgery, and remain intentional about learning from both successes and mistakes in clinic, the operating room, and on the sidelines. One practice that particularly shaped his development was keeping detailed notes not only from surgeries, but also from challenging patient encounters. Having completed three fellowships, Dr. Ahmed reflected that the lessons which stay with physicians throughout their careers are often the ones they actively work to understand and improve upon.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Ahmed enjoys spending time with family and friends, staying active through fitness and tennis, and following Formula 1 racing. A self-described diehard Formula 1 fan, he recently attended the Miami Grand Prix, which he described as a bucket-list experience.
Above all, Dr. Ahmed expressed gratitude for the mentors, colleagues, friends, and family members who supported him throughout his training journey. As he continues his career at Johns Hopkins, he remains passionate about helping patients and athletes return to the activities they enjoy most while combining his interests in sports medicine and complex reconstruction.
Dr. Abdulaziz Ahmed now practices at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, specializing in shoulder and elbow reconstruction and sports medicine.
Dr. Abdulaziz Ahmed and his son, Bassem, at Coors Field celebrating Bassem’s first Colorado Rockies game in May 2024.
CU Sports Medicine Research Team Receives National OJSM Award
The CU Sports Medicine research team was recently recognized with the 2026 Douglas W. Brown Award for Best Review Paper by the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine and the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine.
The award-winning publication, “Rotator Cuff Repair With Platelet-Rich Plasma Is Associated With Lower Retear Rates When Compared With Rotator Cuff Repair With Patch Augmentation: A Systematic Review,” was authored by Joseph J. Lim, Cleveland McCarty, John W. Belk, Carson Keeter, Rachel M. Frank, Jonathan T. Bravman, Adam J. Seidl, and Eric C. McCarty.
The Douglas W. Brown Award is presented annually to the most outstanding review paper published in OJSM during the previous year. The authors will be formally recognized at the 2026 AOSSM Annual Meeting in Seattle, Washington.
Read the full publication here:
Congratulations Dr. Dragoo! On being named Second Vice President of the AANA for 20262027!
Registration Now Open: 5th International Extreme Sports Medicine Congress
Registration is now open for the 5th International Extreme Sports Medicine Congress, taking place June 5–6, 2026, at Montage Deer Valley in Park City, Utah.
This internationally recognized event brings together leaders across sports medicine—including physicians, physician assistants, physical therapists, athletic trainers, and researchers for two days of cuttingedge education and collaboration. The program will cover a wide range of topics, including injury prevention, surgical techniques, rehabilitation strategies, and the psychology, genetics, and physiology of elite extreme athletes.
Hosted in collaboration with the University of Colorado Sports Medicine, University of Utah Health, and US Ski & Snowboard, the congress continues to gain national attention, with past coverage in major outlets such as the LA Times, Outside Magazine, and NPR.
Both in-person and virtual attendance options are available, and CME/CEU credits will be offered.
For more information and to register, visit: www.extremesportscongress.com
Questions can be directed to maureen.gaeke@cuanschutz.edu
