The athletes of the U.S. Para Alpine and Para Snowboarding teams compete at elite levels — requiring demanding dedication and skills. The same is true of their care teams.
Meet Meredith Ehn, CAQSM, DO, DPT
Ehn holds board certifications in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation with a Certificate of Added Qualification in Sports Medicine. As head team physician, she is responsible for the non-operative sports medicine care of the US Para Alpine and Para Snowboard teams that
compete in the World Cup and Winter Olympic Games.
At University of Utah Health, Ehn is the associate residency program director in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Craig H. Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital.
Between the alpine and snowboard teams, Ehn oversees 20 athletes, helping them perform at world-class levels. Before starting to compete on the snow, many of the athletes had a background in other action sports such as surfing, skateboarding, and motocross. Despite experiencing events such as a limb amputation, a spinal cord injury, or neurologic disease, these athletes are motivated to compete at the highest level.
"I provide medical support, consultation, and triage for our athletes — spread across the United States. If I don't meet with them in person, we'll do a call where I gather more information and then refer them to a doctor close to them. I just want to deliver the very best care on the snow to our athletes," she said.
Ehn's medical background is the perfect blend of skill sets. Prior to medical school, she had a career as an orthopedic and sports physical therapist. Today, as a physiatrist, she treats musculoskeletal problems.
Ehn travels with the teams internationally — most recently to Finland and Italy — along with events in the United States. In 2026, she'll be with the alpine and snowboard teams as they compete against the world's best at the Winter Olympic Games in Cortina, Italy.
"These athletes are not just great athletes, they're great people. It's a privilege to support them,"
she added.
Ehn's dedication to her athletes has just been recognized by the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine. Ehn was awarded the prestigious Harry L. Galante, MD Young Investigator Award for the most outstanding research presentation by a member who is a sports medicine fellow.
Congratulations on this well-deserved honor!