ATLANTA, GA—The Georgia Athletic Trainers’ Association (GATA) has named Don Aaron, MD, as the recipient of the Warren Morris Sports Medicine Person of the Year Award. An orthopedic surgeon with Optim Orthopedics specializing in sports medicine, Dr. Aaron serves as a team physician for Georgia Southern University as well as nine high schools in southeast Georgia.
Dr. Aaron received his award at the GATA conference in Atlanta on Jan. 26. He was nominated and recommended by several athletic training professionals from both Georgia Southern and Optim Healthcare. According to the nomination: “Known for his accessibility and willingness to help, Dr. Aaron is an excellent advocate for athletic trainers. His approach to athlete care allows ATs to reach the full potential of their practice while providing guidance and direction. Dr. Aaron –truly caring for each patient while mentoring young athletic trainers at the same time – has earned the respect and admiration of all those who benefit from his support and care in southeast Georgia. He is the embodiment of all that the Warren Morris Sports Medicine Person of Year Award should represent.”
Dr. Aaron is a board certified and fellowship trained orthopedic surgeon based out of Optim’s Statesboro office. He attended medical school at Mercer University School of Medicine where he was a member of Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. Dr. Aaron then completed a five-year orthopedic residency program at the Campbell Clinic in Memphis, TN, and served as chief resident. Following residency, Dr. Aaron went on to train with renowned sports medicine specialist Dr. James Andrews at the American Sports Medicine Institute in Birmingham, AL.
About the Georgia Athletic Trainers’ Association:
The Georgia Athletic Trainers’ Association is an organization committed to the education of its members and enhancement of the profession of athletic training, leading to better healthcare for the population which it serves. The GATA is proudly composed of over 1000 licensed athletic trainers – ranging from professional, collegiate, and high school teams to industries, physician offices, and rehabilitation clinics – all working together to promote and practice the profession of athletic training within the state of Georgia.
Dr. Don Aaron of Optim Orthopedics, center, with his award for Warren Morris Sports Medicine Person of the Year from the Georgia Athletic Trainers’ Association. Pictured from left to right: Ty Butler, Director of Optim Sports Medicine; Steve Patterson, Georgia Southern University Athletic Training Program Director; Lance Griffith, Athletic Trainer, Jenkins High School; Blake Brooks, Optim Sports Medicine Regional Manager; Dr. Don Aaron; Brandy Clouse, GSU Senior Associate Athletics Director for Sports Medicine and Senior Women’s Administrator; Bill Hall, Optim Sports Medicine Regional Manager; Jeff Weems, Athletic Trainer, Jeff Davis High School; Jessica Mutchler, GSU Clinical Education Coordinator.
Dr. Don Aaron of Optim Orthopedics, center, with Georgia Athletic Trainers’ Association President Paul Higgs and GATA Honors and Awards Committee Chair Stephanie Vasquez.
