ATLANTA (January 5, 2026) – Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta has announced S. Clifton Willimon, MD, FAAOS, as the new Chief of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Center, effective January 1.

Specializing in advanced arthroscopic and reconstructive surgical techniques for complex orthopedic conditions of the knee, hip, shoulder and elbow, Dr. Willimon’s leadership marks a new phase of growth, opportunity and innovation at the Center. He will continue to build upon a rich history of pediatric orthopedics at Children’s that began in 1915.

Dr. Willimon is no stranger to Children’s. After graduating summa cum laude from Wofford College and then medical school at Emory University School of Medicine, he completed his pediatric orthopedic surgery training at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Scottish Rite Hospital and his residency at Duke University Medical Center. After additional sports medicine fellowship training at the Steadman Clinic and Steadman Philippon Research Institute in Vail, Colorado, Dr. Willimon returned to Children’s in 2011 where he has served as a Practice Director of Children's Orthopedics and Sports Medicine since 2021 and the Medical Director of the Atlanta United Academy since 2017. Additionally, Dr. Willimon was the founding Medical Director of Children’s Orthopedic Quality and Outcomes Program.

“As we welcome Cliff to this new role, we celebrate historic leadership and the tremendous growth and success of the Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Center,” said Edwin Smith, MD, Children’s Surgeon in Chief. “We look forward to supporting Cliff as he guides the Center into a new and exciting future of care.”

During the last 18 years, the Center has become Georgia’s only nationally ranked orthopedics program for kids and teens and also includes Sports Physical Therapy, Orthotics and Prosthetics, and Children’s Physicians Group Orthopedics. The Center has grown to one of the largest pediatric orthopedic groups in the country and is ranked No. 9 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.