Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

Simply put, pediatric orthopedic specialists know children’s bodies. Kids aren’t just small adults. Their growing bones and different developmental stages pose different challenges. Pediatric specialists know what to look for, can anticipate problems and can work toward the best outcome with a system of care designed for your child or teen. They know how to deal with kids, teens and their families, and that’s one of the top reasons why children and teens with orthopedics injuries or illnesses shouldn’t be treated in an adult hospital. In fact, more parents trust Children's for orthopedic care than anyone else in Georgia.* The pediatric orthopedic specialists at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta also help educate parents on ways to help keep kids’ bones healthy. 

Top-ranked care is important

The Orthopedics Program at Children’s is the only nationally ranked program of its kind for kids and teens in Georgia and the top program in the Southeast.** Rest assured, when you bring your child to the pediatric orthopedic specialists at Children’s, she will be cared for by one of the country’s leading pediatric orthopedic teams.

As one of the leading pediatric orthopedic programs in the country, we specialize in medical and surgical treatment of conditions and injuries of the musculoskeletal system—the bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments and nerves. Specific conditions we treat include:

Our Orthopedics Program offers several multispecialty programs, meaning our physicians collaborate with other doctors, nurses and clinicians from other specialties to deliver specialized orthopedic care and resources to patients. By working with doctors, nurses and clinicians from other specialties, we are able to collaborate and help deliver specialized orthopedic care and resources to patients. We work closely with teams across our System to deliver coordinated care. We are also actively involved in research projects to help improve patient outcomes.

• Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcoma Program
• Bone Health and Diseases Program
• Brachial Plexus Program
• Cerebral Palsy Program
• Comprehensive Limb Difference Program
• Concussion Program
• Fracture care
• Hand and Upper Extremity Program
• Hip Program
• Orthotics and prosthetics
• Scoliosis and Spine Program
• Sports Medicine Program

Virtual visits

We know that your child’s doctor visits are important, and we are making them even easier for families. We now offer virtual visits so that patients can see their providers without leaving home. Every visit is unique, and some visits need to happen in person—your child’s doctor will help decide if your child can be seen virtually. Talk to our schedulers about setting up a virtual visit for your child.

Schedule your appointment online

We are also now offering online appointment scheduling to make booking your child’s appointment even easier. Visit our online appointment scheduler, and choose the provider, location and day that work best for your family.

Second opinions

We understand that when it comes to your child needing orthopedic treatment or surgery, a second opinion can help ease concerns and help you make an informed decision. We welcome all second opinions.

Meet our team

As one of the largest pediatric orthopedic practices in the Southeast, our team includes 14 surgeons, two orthopedists and six primary care physicians. Where you take your child matters because the treatment they get today will impact their entire future.

Orthopedic surgeons

• Jed Axelrod, MD
• Robert W. Bruce Jr., MD
• Michael T. Busch, MD
• Dennis P. Devito, MD
• Anthony "Ace" Egger, MD
• Jorge A. Fabregas, MD
• Jill C. Flanagan, MD
• Nicholas D. Fletcher, MD
• Dell McLaughlin, MD
• Joshua Murphy, MD
• Dana Olszewski, MD, MPH
• Crystal Perkins, MD
• Michael L. Schmitz, MD
• Tim Schrader, MD
• S. Clifton Willimon, MD

Orthopedist

• Saji Azerf, MD
• Robert J. Montero, MD
• Jarod Stevenson, DO

Sports medicine primary care physicians

• Ashley Brouillette, MD
• J. Stephen Kroll, MD
• Stephen Miller, MD
• Tatiana Patsimas, MD
• Armand Scurfield, MD

Advanced practitioners

• Denise Coultes Beuret, FNP-C
• Amy Butterfield, PNP
• Sarah Delk, PA-C
• Grace Hall, PA-C
• Veronica Hill, CPNP
• Laura Jones, CPNP
• J. Brian Kelly, PA-C
• Jessica King, PA-C
• Nancy Kralovich, PA-C
• Nikki Kress, CPNP-AC
• Keri L. Liles, PA-C
• Rebecca Lunsford, PA-C
• Joshua Myers, FNP-C
• Nicole O'Donnell, PA-C
• Caitlin Parsons, PA
• Tori Robertson, PA-C
• Tracy Ruska, MSN, CPNP-AC, CCRN
• Karen Shaw, PA-C
• Cassie Simon, PNP-AC
• Melissa Smyles, PA-C
• Kirsten Warnock, NP-C

Certified athletic trainers

• Raven Giordano, AT-C
• David Kloehs, AT-C
• Christina Perez, AT-C
• Sara Skammer, AT-C
• Beth Walsh, AT-C

Make an Appointment

U.S. News & World Report ranks us among the top pediatric orthopedics programs in the country. Our program combines the latest proven technology and research with a caring, child-friendly approach, making Children’s a top choice for treatment of orthopedic conditions and injuries.

Orthopedic specialists lead our program. Our doctors and surgeons work closely with orthopedic surgeons in the community to help ensure complete, coordinated care is delivered seamlessly at our hospitals for children with orthopedic conditions. The following physicians lead our Orthopedics Program:

Physician leadership

• Michael L. Schmitz, MD, Chief, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Center 
• S. Clifton Willimon, MD, Medical Director, Atlanta United Academy team
• Crystal Perkins, MD, Medical Director, Orthopedic Quality and Outcomes 
• Allan E. Peljovich, MD, Medical Director, Hand and Upper Extremity Program
• Tim Schrader, MD, Medical Director, Hip Program; Surgical Director, Scottish Rite Hospital
• Robert W. Bruce Jr., MD, Medical Director, Neuromuscular Program and Cerebral Palsy Program
• Nicholas D. Fletcher, MD, Medical Director, Spine Program
• Joshua Murphy, MD, Medical Director, Spine Quality and Outcomes
• Michael T. Busch, MD, Surgical Director, Sports Medicine Program

Please sign in to MYchart to complete the forms that have been assigned to you prior to your child's visit. If you'd prefer to print and complete the forms, please call 404-255-1933 to request them. Forms should be completed prior to your child’s appointment with Children’s Physician Group–Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine as this will help reduce wait times. 

Athens Orthopedics
1181 Langford Drive, Building 200, Suite 101
Watkinsville, GA 30677

Center for Advanced Pediatrics
1400 Tullie Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30329

Children’s at Cherokee
1558 Riverstone Parkway, Suite 100
Canton, GA 30114

Children’s at Duluth
2270 Duluth Highway 120
Duluth, GA 30097

Children’s at Fayette
1250 Highway 54 West, Suite 200
Fayetteville, GA 30214

Children’s at Forsyth
The Collection at Forsyth
410 Peachtree Parkway
Cumming, GA 30041

Children’s at Hamilton Creek
2240 Hamilton Creek Parkway, Suite 600
Dacula, GA 30019

Children’s at Hudson Bridge–Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
1492 Hudson Bridge Road
Stockbridge, GA 30281

Children’s at Meridian Mark
5445 Meridian Mark Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30342

Children’s at Old Milton Parkway
3300 Old Milton Parkway
Alpharetta, GA 30005

Children’s at Town Center Outpatient Care Center
605 Big Shanty Road NW
Kennesaw, GA 30144

Children’s Orthopedics and Sports Medicine – Douglasville
6095 Professional Parkway, First Floor, Suite 101B
Douglasville, GA 30134

Macon Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
4660 Riverside Park Blvd.
Macon, GA 31210