Nagpur: As the Olympic Games unfold in Paris, an inspiring connection to Nagpur has emerged through the work of Dr. Ameya Kawthalkar, a distinguished consultant musculoskeletal (MSK) radiologist. Dr. Kawthalkar, who grew up in Nagpur, is currently serving in the Olympic Village, providing crucial medical imaging services to Olympic athletes, a report in a local media said.
Dr. Ameya Kawthalkar is an alumnus of Somalwar High School, Khamla branch, in Nagpur. He pursued his MBBS from GMC Nagpur and completed his MD in radiology from Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai. Further honing his expertise, he completed a fellowship in MSK radiology in the Netherlands and currently works at the University Hospitals of Derby and Burton in England.
In the Olympic Village, Dr. Kawthalkar’s responsibilities include performing ultrasound scans, and reporting on MRI scans and X-rays of the athletes. The health services in the Olympic Village operate throughout the duration of the Games, with radiologists working in 8-hour morning and evening shifts to offer free medical imaging services to athletes, coaches, and other support staff. Dr. Kawthalkar is one of five international non-French MSK radiologists selected to work at the Games, collaborating with 30 French MSK radiologists.
The demand for radiology services at the Olympics has been growing with each successive Games. The radiology team is tasked with performing and reporting scans for athletes from all participating countries. Dr. Kawthalkar notes the significance of their work, saying, “It is a great experience and a big honour for me to work at the Olympic Games, and to practice my craft of MSK radiology for the benefit of the health of the athletes. We diagnose the athletes’ injuries quickly and accurately, enabling early rehabilitation and treatment, so they can return to play and make their countries proud.”
Dr. Kawthalkar also highlighted the increasing use of artificial intelligence tools, such as ChatGPT for translating medical reports into English, French, and Spanish, and Google Translate for conversing with athletes from around the world who speak different languages.
Expressing his gratitude, Dr. Kawthalkar credits his parents for instilling in him the values of persistence, hard work, and a “never say die” attitude. He also acknowledges the unwavering support of his wife, Dr. Mrunmayee Deshpande, a cardiologist originally from Nagpur, who has been instrumental in enabling his current assignment at the Olympics. Dr. Kawthalkar and his family, including their two-year-old twin daughters, are in Paris together to experience the Olympic Games.
Through his dedication and expertise, Dr. Ameya Kawthalkar exemplifies the spirit of Nagpur on an international stage, making significant contributions to the health and performance of Olympic athletes.
