ATLANTA (April 18, 2017) – Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Atlanta United have named S. Clifton Willimon, MD, Medical Director of the Atlanta United Academy teams. In his role, he will provide pediatric sports medicine and orthopedic care to youth players as part of Children’s role as the Official Pediatric Sports Medicine Program of Atlanta United. He will also support the Atlanta United First Team as a team physician.
Dr. Willimon is a board-certified Orthopedic Surgeon and the Medical Director of Orthopedic Quality and Outcomes at Children’s. He specializes in advanced arthroscopic and reconstructive surgical techniques for the treatment of complex orthopedic disorders of the knee, hip, shoulder and elbow, and sports injuries.
Throughout his career, Dr. Willimon has cared for professional and Olympic athletes, as well as collegiate, high school and recreational athletes. He currently serves as team physician for the East Cobb Yankees and Mount Vernon Presbyterian School, and is excited to be a part the Atlanta United Academy family.
“Our clinical team is trained in pediatrics, so we understand the demands and pressures young athletes face as they play sports; and we know they need to be managed differently than adults,” Dr. Willimon said. “Our multidisciplinary team of certified athletic trainers, physical therapists, sports medicine physicians and orthopedic surgeons work in concert to evaluate injured athletes, and determine the best course of treatment to help them return safely to the field.”
Dr. Willimon completed medical school at Emory University School of Medicine and his orthopedic residency at Duke University Medical Center, where he was chief resident and a resident team physician for Duke University Athletics, North Carolina Central University and Hillside High School. During his time at Duke University, he also completed training in pediatric orthopedic surgery at Children’s. After residency, he received specialized training at the Steadman Clinic and Steadman Philippon Research Institute in Vail, Colo., where he trained under leaders in sports medicine. Dr. Willimon currently collaborates with Georgia Institute of Technology for cartilage research and leads Children’s in several national study groups.
Children’s is the Official Pediatric Healthcare System of Atlanta United and the Official Pediatric Sports Medicine Program of Atlanta United. One of the nation’s largest pediatric healthcare systems, Children’s is home to a nationally ranked sports medicine program that uses leading-edge research to keep athletes, from pre-teens to adolescents, in top physical shape. As the largest healthcare provider for young people in Georgia, Children’s offers access to more than 60 pediatric specialties and programs, and is ranked among the top children’s hospitals in the country.