UMC- Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation

See Faculty Listing Below

Setting the Standard for Injury Care

PREVENTION - MANAGEMENT - TREATMENT

REHABILITATION - EDUCATION

These are the primary phases of sports medicine that the University of Mississippi Medical Center Sports Medicine staff strives to fulfill when working with competitive or recreational athletes on a daily basis.

University Sports Medicine is comprised of board certified physicians that are specialists in their chosen area and maintain faculty status with the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Our physicians have developed exceptional reputations at the state, national and international levels. The sports medicine staff has a diversity of experiences with athletes at all levels of competition. All University Sports Medicine athletic trainers are certified nationally and maintain state licensure. The collective efforts of the physician, athletic trainer, physical therapist and others provide comprehensive medical care of the competitive or recreational athlete. University Sports Medicine is a leader in knowledge and cutting edge techniques for sports medicine patients in Mississippi and the nation.

University Sports Medicine, along with our entire

Orthopedic Department faculty, are the

official Team Physicians for the Mississippi Braves.

Faculty

William B. Geissler, M.D., Professor
Sports Medicine
Arthroscopic Surgery
Hand Surgery
Shoulder and Elbow Surgery

Dr. Geissler received his M.D. degree from Tulane University Medical School in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1985. He completed his internship and residency in orthopaedic surgery at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and then completed an AO orthopaedic trauma fellowship in Aarau, Switzerland. Dr. Geissler then completed a one-year fellowship in Advanced Arthroscopy in Sports Medicine in Richmond, Virginia. Dr. Geissler returned to UMC and completed a second fellowship in Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery under Dr. Alan E. Freeland. Dr. Geissler has served as faculty, moderator, and chairman in multiple arthroscopic and upper extremity courses both throughout the country as well as internationally. He has presented numerous talks both nationally and internationally including Canada and Mexico, Equador, Venezuela, Chile, Argentina, Japan, France, the Netherlands, and Finland. He recently published a textbook on wrist arthroscopy with both national and international contributors. Dr. Geissler serves as Chief of the Sports Medicine and Shoulder Programs . He joined the department in 1992 specializing in shoulder and elbow surgery, hand surgery, and advanced arthroscopic surgery.

Dr. Geissler's particular interests include upper extremity joint replacement, upper extremity trauma reconstruction, and arthroscopic surgery. Dr. Geissler is head team physician of numerous community high schools, Belhaven College, and the Mississippi Braves . He also serves as team consultant for the Ole Miss Athletic Program. Dr. Geissler is the Program Director for the Hand and Upper Extremity Fellowship for the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.

Jason A. Craft, M.D., Assistant Professor
Sports Medicine
Arthroscopic Surgery
Shoulder Surgery

Dr. Craft graduated S umma Cum Laude in 1997, from Mississippi State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology. In 2001, he received his M.D. from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine where he was valedictorian. He subsequently completed his orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Mississippi Medical Center - Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation in June of 2006. During his residency, he completed an AO-ASIF fellowship with Dr. Norbert P. Suedkamp at the University Clinics in Freiburg, Germany. Following his residency, Dr. Craft completed an Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Fellowship at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston , Texas. During his fellowship he was actively involved in the care of Houston area high school athletes, University of Houston athletes, and Houston's professional teams – NFL's Houston Texans and MLB's Houston Astros. Active in orthopaedic research, he has co-authored published articles and book chapters covering upper and lower extremity injuries. Dr. Craft is a team physician of numerous community high schools and Belhaven College. Dr. Craft joined the department in 2007 as assistant professor, specializing in sports medicine injuries and arthroscopic surgery of the knee, shoulder and elbow.

Stephen H. Keiser, M.D., Assistant Professor

Sports Medicine, Nonsurgical Orthopedics, Family Practice

Dr. Stephen Keiser earned the Bachelor of Science, with honors in Biology, from the University of Missouri, Columbia, MO in 1991. After graduating from the University of Missouri School of Medicine in 1995, he completed the Family Medicine Residency and Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC. He was in private practice for six years in Greenville, South Carolina. During that time he served as Team Physician for Furman University Athletic Department, Director of Primary Care Sports Medicine at Furman University and Staff Physician at Doctor's Care, P.A.-UCI Medical Affiliates, Inc.

Dr. Keiser is board certified in Family Medicine and has a CAQ in sports medicine. He joins Doctors Geissler and Watts in the Department's Sports Medicine area and is a team physician for local teams at all levels in the Jackson area.

Steve A. Watts, M.D., Assistant Professor
Sports Medicine, Non-Surgical Orthopedics, Family Practice

Dr. Watts completed undergraduate education at the University of Houston, where he graduated cum laude with Bachelor of Science degrees in Biology and Chemistry. He has a lifetime certification in secondary education in the state of Texas. From 1979-1983 he attended the University of Texas Medical School in Houston. He then completed a three-year family practice residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Forth Worth. While there, he received the Resident Teaching Award in 1986. Dr. Watts has published numerous perr-reviewed articles in medical journals. He has made over 35 regional and national professional presentations on a wide variety of sports medicine subjects.

Dr. Watts holds a joint appointment in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Family Medicine in the medical school. He is actively involved in teaching responsibilities in sports medicine for medical students and resident physicians. Dr. Watts is also the director of the Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

Dr. Watts holds professional memberships in numerous associations and is a board certified Family Medicine Physician with CAQ in Sports Medicine. He is a member of the American College of Sports Medicine and serves on the Education Committee for the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine. Dr. Watts currently services University Sports Medicine as a staff physician and is a team physician for the Mississippi Braves, Belhaven College, and area high school teams. Dr. Watts provides sports medicine physician coverage for a variety of athletic events in the Jackson area.

Athletic Trainers

Jeff Martinez, M.A.T., A.T., C.

Supervisor of Sports Medicine

Jeff Martinez is originally from Big Spring, Texas but now resides in Jackson, Mississippi and has lived here since 1993. Jeff began his athletic training career as an athletic training student at the University of Mississippi. After receiving a degree in Exercise Science in December of 2000, Jeff went on to graduate school at the University of West Alabama where he received a Master's degree of Arts in Teaching. In the summer of 2002, he was the Head Athletic Trainer for the Jackson Senators baseball team. Prior to becoming the Supervisor of Sports Medicine for UMC, Jeff was the Head Athletic Trainer at Belhaven College in Jackson, Mississippi, for four years. During his off time, Jeff enjoys playing golf and fishing. He is married to the former Miss Jessica Graham of Madison, Mississippi. They are the proud parents of a new baby girl, Ava Marie.
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Elliott Carter, M.A.T., A.T., C

Head Athletic Trainer / Belhaven College

Elliott Carter, MAT, ATC a native of Louisville, Mississippi joined the University of Mississippi Medical Center / University Sports Medicine staff in January 2005. Elliott is currently the Assistant Athletic Trainer at Belhaven College where he assists the Head Athletic Trainer with supervision of all 15 varsity athletic teams, substance abuse testing, appointment scheduling, rehabilitation, and various other administrative duties. Elliott began his career in athletic training at Belhaven College as a student-athletic trainer. During that time he assisted University Sports Medicine in their Outreach program providing services as a student-athletic trainer with local high schools under the supervision of University Medical Center Certified Athletic Trainers. Elliott graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Sports Medicine in May of 2003 from Belhaven College. Following graduation, Elliott accepted a Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer position at the University of West Alabama in Livingston, Alabama. Elliott supervised student athletic trainers for varsity football, basketball, baseball, and softball. He was a primary supervisor for the Athletic Training & Sports Medicine Center for high school athletes and private patients. Elliott received his Masters of Arts and Teaching in Physical Education in December 2004 from the University of West Alabama. He became NATABOC certified in the fall of 2004.

Rusty Hinds, M.S., A.T., C.

Head Athletic Trainer / Outreach Services

Rusty is starting his 3rd year as Head Athletic Trainer for Outreach Services for University Sports Medicine and is in his 16th year as a Certified Athletic Trainer. He earned his Bachelors’ Degree in Human Performance with Athletic Training emphasis from the NATA Accredited Program at the University of Southern Mississippi in 1991. Following graduation he held the position of Head Athletic Trainer for 5 years at the University of Montevallo, AL until returning to Southern Miss to complete a Master’s Degree in Human Performance with emphasis in Athletic Administration. While in graduate school, Rusty helped provide sports medicine services to local high school athletes. From 1998-99, he was an athletic trainer at Fairhope, AL Physical Therapy and worked with a large local high school until moving to the Nashville to become part of Southern Sports Medicine for the next 4 years. Rusty served as the Head Athletic Trainer for a local community college and taught in the school’s Pre-Sports Medicine Program before returning to Mississippi to join the UMC team.

Rusty has a special interest in concussions in athletics, spine boarding of injured athletes and a particular focus on equipment issues. He enjoys making presentations and attending seminars that emphasize improving the level of care of critically injured athletes.

Kira Berch, B.S., A.T., C.

Assistant Athletic Trainer / Outreach Services / Belhaven College

Kira Berch is originally from Albany, Louisiana but now resides in Pearl. MS with her husband Christopher Berch of Hazlehurst, Mississippi. Kira's athletic training career began as an athletic training student at Southeastern Louisiana University. Here she received a Bachelor of Science degree in the study of Athletic Training. In 2004 she joined the Belhaven College Athletic Training staff as a certified athletic training graduate student. During that time she assisted University Sports Medicine in their Outreach program services to local high schools. In the summer of 2006, she accepted a part-time position with University Medical Center and Belhaven College and in 2007 she was prompted to a full-time position. As an assistant athletic trainer her responsibilities include assistance to the Head Athletic Trainer in the overall healthcare of all 15 varsity athletic teams.

Photo to come

Amanda Hankins, B.S., A.T., C.

Certified Athletic Trainer / Outreach Services

Amanda Hankins is a native of Pine Bluff , AR and is a 2005 graduate of Arkansas State University with a Bachelors of Science in Athletic Training. Looking to advance her education, Amanda then went on to receive her Masters degree in Sports Administration at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. While in graduate school, she worked for Vanderbilt Sports Medicine as a graduate assistant working at multiple high schools. Following graduation, she moved to Augusta , Georgia to work for a hospital and one large high school. She joined the University of Mississippi Medical Center Sports Medicine Staff in January of 2008. Amanda is certified by the National Athletic Trainers Association

Photo to come

Sean Lovvorn, B.S., A.T., C.

Certified Athletic Trainer / Outreach Services / Belhaven College

Sean Lovvorn, a native of Killen, Alabama, joined the sports medicine team at University Sports Medicine / University of Mississippi Health Care in January, 2008. He is currently an Assistant Athletic Trainer at Belhaven College, where he assists with the overall healthcare of all 15 varsity athletic teams. Sean received an Associates Degree in Sports Medicine from Wallace State Community College in 2002 and then went on to pursue his B.S. Degree in Athletic Training from the University of West Alabama . After graduating from The University of West Alabama in 2004, he then accepted a Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer position at The University of North Alabama serving one year before he accepted the Head Athletic Trainer position at Spring Hill College in 2005. Sean served the last three years as the Head Athletic Trainer at Spring Hill College , where he supervised the overall healthcare for 13 varsity athletic teams. Sean has been NATABOC Certified since May, 2005.

Tina Thomas, M.A., A.T,C./L

Certified Athletic Trainer / Outreach Services

Tina joined the University Sports Medicine Staff in 2006. The Forest, Mississippi, native is a 1999 and 2001 graduate of the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Science Degree in General Health Studies and a Master of Arts Degree in Sports Medicine Healthcare. Tina continued her career serving as a Certified Athletic Trainer Intern at Austin Peay State University where she worked with the Baseball, Volleyball and Track and Field Teams. During this time Tina completed her educational requirements for her Masters degree. Tina has also worked as a Certified Athletic Trainer Intern at Duke University with the Women's Field Hockey Team. In 2002, Tina was named Assistant Athletic Trainer for Women's Basketball at Louisiana Tech University . At Louisiana Tech she also worked with the Softball, Tennis, Volleyball and Track and Field teams in addition to being an instructor for a First Aid/Sports Medicine class. In 2004, Tina accepted the position of Assistant Athletic Trainer at Stetson University where her main responsibilities were with the Women's Basketball and Soccer Teams. Recently, Tina has also provided athletic training coverage to multiple high schools in Mississippi and has served as an ATC for the MPSA All-Star Basketball Games. Tina is certified by the National Athletic Trainer's Association Board of Certification and is licensed by the Mississippi State Board of Health. Tina resides in Brandon , Mississippi, with her Golden Retriever, Gipper. Tina's hobbies include watching Notre Dame Football, playing basketball and tennis, going to movies, traveling and exercising.

Supporting Faculty and Staff

Jeff Hodges, P.T., A.T.,C.

Physical Therapist

University Orthopaedic Associates and Rehabilitation / Canton

Jeff is originally from Belzoni, MS , and is a 1992 graduate from UMC with a B.S. in physical therapy. After this he completed a 1-year sports medicine fellowship with Morgantown Physical Therapy Assoc. and West Virginia University. During this time Jeff became nationally certified as an athletic trainer. Jeff, while in West Virginia, worked with the local high schools, intramural sports, and West Virginia hockey team. In 1994 he began to work with Rehab Services of Columbus which is affiliated with the Hughston Clinic in Columbus , GA. In 1996, Jeff was the assistant head athletic trainer in charge of the Olympic women's softball venue. In the fall of 1996, he moved to Jackson and began working at the medical center as a physical therapist. Since 1997 in his physical therapy role, Jeff worked with University Orthopaedic Associate and University Sports Medicine in their outreach programs and seminars. He currently works as a physical therapist for University Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation - Canton.

Nelson Ware, P.T., A.T., C.,

Assistant Director of Physical Therapy

University Medical Pavilion

Nelson attended Central Holmes Academy in Lexington , MS. graduating in 1978. He graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1983 with a BS in Secondary Education /Biology with a specialization in Athletic Training. He became certified as an athletic trainer in 1984. Nelson worked at Doctors Hospital Sports Medicine in Jackson from 1984-1987 before returning to physical therapy School in 1987. He received a physical therapy degree from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in 1989. Upon graduation, he began working as a physical therapist and athletic trainer at the UMC Medical Pavilion in 1990. One of the highlights of his career includes participating in the medical coverage for women's softball during the 1996 Olympic Games. Nelson and his wife Teresa live in Madison and have three children Jessica, Bryson and Conner.

Mark Weber, P.T., A.T., C., Professor

School of Health Related Professions

Mark received a BS degree in physical therapy from The Ohio State University, a MS degree in exercise physiology from the University of Southern Mississippi , and a Ph.D. from the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He is a certified athletic trainer and is a board certified sports physical therapist. Mark teaches in the UMC physical therapy program and has been involved with the UMC Sports Medicine Program since 1990.

Dolph Woodall, P.T., A.T., C., Professor

School of Health Related Professions

Dolph graduated from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in 1981 with a bachelor's in physical therapy. He earned a master's in exercise physiology from Cleveland State University in 1983. After working in outpatient orthopedic and sports medicine clinics in Cleveland, Ohio and San Jose , California he returned to Mississippi to serve on the faculty in the Department of Physical Therapy at UMC. He received his doctoral degree in health care education from Nova Southeastern University . He is a sport certified specialist in physical therapy and a certified athletic trainer.

Shannon Singletary, DPT, ATC, CSCS

Sr. Associate Athletic Director - Sports Medicine / Strength & Conditioning

University of Mississippi - Oxford

Singletary earned his B.S. degree in Exercise Science from Ole Miss in 1995 as he completed his Athletic Training certification prerequisites. He received his B.S. in Physical Therapy from the School of Health Related Professions at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in 1997. He completed his Doctorate of Physical Therapy the University of Mississippi Medical Center in August 2005. Singletary holds a license in Physical Therapy as well as Athletic Training from the Mississippi State Board of Health. He is also certified by the National Athletic Training Association and has a Specialist Certification from the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

From 1997 to 2000, Singletary served as a staff physical therapist at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. From 1996 to 2000 and then from 2003 to 2004 he was a member of the University Orthopedic Associates (University Sports Medicine), serving as head athletic trainer for all sports at Provine High School in Jackson, Miss. As Supervisor of Sports Medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (2000-2003), he coordinated and supervised the Sports Medicine Service for the Medical Center, utilizing a staff of four staff athletic trainers, seven part-time athletic trainers, UMC physicians, and orthopedic residents. Singletary directed rehabilitation of outpatient orthopedic patients including athletes, work related injuries, and geriatric patients, and also played a major role in developing rehabilitation protocols for sports orthopedic surgeons at UMC.

From July of 2003 until his return to Ole Miss, Singletary was Director of Rehabilitation and Lead Physical Therapist for Nissan North America-Canton, Miss. He is a past treasurer and board member of the Mississippi Physical Therapy Association, and has conducted numerous professional presentations as well as being published in the Journal of Hand Therapy on two occasions.

Singletary is married to the former Molly Simpson of Kosciusko, Miss. They have two children, Shelby and Matthew.