Mark Giovanini, M.D.
Dr. Giovanini is expertly trained in minimally invasive spine surgery and has brought the latest cutting-edge treatments in spine care to the area of Gulf Breeze, Florida. Dr. Giovanini now performs spine surgery at several locations and is a clinical instructor and speaker, teaching other physicians how to help their patients through minimally invasive spine surgery techniques.
(850) 934 - 7545
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Jason Capra M.D.
Dr. Capra has been performing endoscopic spine surgery since 2013. He has performed over 2,000 endoscopic procedures. He was personally trained by Dr. Anthony Yeung, the Orthopaedic Surgeon who pioneered the endoscopic technique for the United States. Dr. Capra is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Dept of Neurosurgery at the University of New Mexico, and an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Dept of Orthopaedic Spine Surgery at the University of Texas, Medical Branch, Galveston. Dr. Capra is one of 2 physicians in the country that have been fellowship trained in endoscopic spine surgery at the University of New Mexico. Dr. Capra travels the country training Physicians and Surgeons on endoscopic techniques and is currently the co-chair of the endoscopic lumbar decompression program for the American Society of Pain Physicians.
(850) 934 - 7545
Website
Erik Nilssen, M.D.
As founder and guiding force behind the Nilssen Ankle and Foot Center, in Pensacola Florida, Dr. Nilssen devotes his passion for service to building the most premier center in the world. In addition to his practice, he also devotes time to mentoring both Sports Medicine and Foot & Ankle Fellows through the AREI Dual Fellowship Program.
Dr. Nilssen graduated cum laude from Auburn University in 1996. He completed USF School of Medicine in 2002 then went on to achieve his orthopedic residency at McGill University in 2007. He is the only person to have completed fellowships in both Sports Medicine and Foot & Ankle at the American Sports Medicine Institute under the Direction of Dr. James R. Andrews.
Dr. Nilssen is board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He is an Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University Of South Alabama College Of Medicine. Currently, he serves as the Medical Director of Under Armour, the National Volleyball League, Multisport Performance Institute, and Athletes’ Performance Gulf Breeze. He also serves as a Team Physician for Intercollegiate Sports at Auburn University, as well as Orthopaedic Consultant for the athletic teams of West Florida University and Pensacola State Junior College. In addition, Dr. Nilssen consults for various professional teams throughout the NFL, NBA, and Olympic Sports.
Dr. Nilssen has called Gulf Breeze home since 2009. He and his wife, Allison, have two sons, Stellan and Malloy, and a baby girl, Emyrson. He enjoys the beach, boating, college sports, and Paleo-Indian artifacts.
850-435-4800
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Sonya Ahmed, M.D.
Sonya Ahmed, MD is a board certified and fellowship-trained Orthopedic Surgeon with expertise in treating disorders of the foot and ankle. Her surgical interests include arthroscopic and open treatment of all foot and ankle disorders, including athletic and reconstructive procedures as well as cartilage transplant procedures.
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 and became the school’s first competitive, conference winning female pole vaulter. In addition to her success as an elite level gymnast, she added the title of first female pole vaulter in the UMKC Hall of Fame. Following graduation, she 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 time at ASMI provided her the opportunity to treat athletes at the high school, collegiate and professional levels as well as allowing her to hone her surgical expertise in treating disorders of the foot and ankle.
Dr. Ahmed’s accolades speak to her expertise and reputation as she has served as a consultant to the San Diego Chargers, the San Diego Padres, and has been team physician for different high schools and colleges. She also has served as a regional medical provider for the United States Olympic Team including caring for medal-winning Olympic athletes on the rugby, track and field, volleyball, figure skating and also the paralympic teams. Given her success, she was hand selected by the United States Olympic Committee to be the Chief Medical Officer for the Youth Winter Olympic Games in 2016. She also has professional memberships with the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society and has been invited to teach about multiple aspects of the foot and ankle as well as authoring multiple publications.
Dr. Ahmed’s desire to become an orthopedic surgeon was driven by her lifelong love of gymnastics and track and field and her intimate understanding of the impact of injury and recovery on all levels of an athlete. In her spare time, Dr. Ahmed enjoys a variety of athletic activities, hiking, paddle boarding, surfing, working out and travelling to friends and family. She currently resides in Gulf Breeze with her husband.
850-435-4800
Website
Matthew Mai, M.D.
Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine
Matthew C. Mai, MD is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon specializing in comprehensive hip surgery. He treats musculoskeletal conditions of the hip resulting from development, injury, overuse, and arthritis. He specializes in advanced hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and labral tears, hip preservation, and anterior total hip arthroplasty. He is internationally recognized in the hip arthroscopy community and teaches hip arthroscopy courses across the country alongside other leaders in the field.
850-916-3700
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