Suraj A. Achar, MD, is a board-certified family medicine doctor who specializes in sports medicine. His expertise includes diagnosing, treating and preventing injuries associated with athletics. He is highly experienced in ultrasound guided diagnostics and procedures. Dr. Achar also provides primary care for patients of all ages, including preventive care and treatment of acute and chronic diseases. He has repeatedly been named a top doctor in San Diego Magazines Physicians of Exceptional Excellence" annual survey performed in collaboration with the San Diego County Medical Society. Dr. Achar is an associate team physician for the San Diego Padres, the head team physician for the San Diego Sockers, and a team physician for UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics, Canyon Crest Academy and Kearny High School. He is also one of the medical directors for the California State Games, an amateur youth competition involving 5,000 athletes in 20 sports. Additionally, he has a joint appointment at Rady Childrens Hospital, where he works with children in the 360 Sports Medicine program. As a professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, Dr. Achar is involved in training medical students, residents and fellows. His research work includes clinical trials related to sports medicine. He is especially interested in anabolic steroid use in children, adolescents and professional athletes. Dr. Achar is the associate program director of the Sports Medicine Fellowship Program at UC San Diego School of Medicine. He also teaches physicians from around the country at the American Academy of Family Physicians Scientific Assemblies and UC San Diegos Physician Assessment and Clinical. Education (PACE) Program, where he focuses on the law in medicine.Dr. Achar was inspired to become a physician after learning about the work of Doctors Without Borders, an international medical humanitarian organization. After completing medical school, he spent six months in Kenya as part of the program, providing medical care to children amid war and poverty. Dr. Achar feels the most rewarding aspect of being a physician is "having the opportunity to really make a difference when it counts."He completed his residency and fellowship training at UC San Diego School of Medicine. Dr. Achar earned his medical degree at State University of New York Buffalo School of Medicine and is board-certified in family medicine and sports medicine. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians (FAAFP).Dr. Achar played high school tennis and soccer and was a member of the intercollegiate soccer team at University of Poitiers in France. He continues to play and coach soccer, and stays fit through running and strength training. When not at work, Dr. Achar spends as much time as possible with his wife, Suriti, and his three sons, Ravi, Jivan and Rohan.UC San Diego Health LinksFor more information, see http://health.ucsd.edu/specialties/primary-care/Pages/default.aspx and http://health.ucsd.edu/specialties/surgery/ortho/areas-expertise/sports-medicine/Pages/default.aspx.