Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

Our Orthopedics Program is ranked among the best in the country for kids and teens, and is the only nationally ranked program for kids and teens in Georgia.* When you bring your child to Children’s, they will be cared for by one of the country’s leading pediatric orthopedic teams. More parents trust Children's for their child's orthopedic surgery than any other pediatric hospital in the U.S.**

What does a pediatric orthopedic doctor do?

Pediatric orthopedic specialists understand that kids and teens aren’t just small adults. Their growing bones and different developmental stages pose different challenges. Pediatric orthopedists know what to look for, can anticipate problems unique to growing kids and teens and can work toward the best outcome with a system of care designed for your child. 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.

As one of the leading programs in the country, our pediatric orthopedic doctors 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 and across our System to deliver coordinated orthopedic care and resources to patients. 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
• Musculoskeletal Program
• Orthotics and prosthetics
• Scoliosis and Spine Program
• Sports Medicine Program

Whether your child needs treatment for an ongoing condition or was recently injured, it’s important to seek out the best orthopedic specialists possible for your child. 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

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.

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.

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

Orthopedists

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

Sports medicine primary care physicians

• Ashley Brouillette, MD
• James Crownover, MD
• J. Stephen Kroll, MD
• Stephen Miller, MD
• Tatiana Patsimas, MD
• Armand Scurfield, MD
• Matthew Vosters, MD

Advanced practitioners

• Denise Coultes Beuret, FNP-C
• 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
• Marian Leach, PA-C
• Keri L. Liles, PA-C
• Rebecca Lunsford, PA-C
• Joshua Myers, FNP-C
• Nicole O'Donnell, PA-C
• Caitlin Parsons, PA-C
• Tori Robertson, PA-C
• Tracy Ruska, MSN, CPNP-AC, CCRN
• Karen Shaw, PA-C
• Cassie Simon, PNP-AC
• Melissa Smyles, PA-C
• Kelsey Van Stee, CPNP
• Kirsten Warnock, NP-C
• Ed Wilson, PA-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

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.