MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. | The Georgia College & State University Department of Athletics has announced a new partnership with Athens Orthopedic Clinic, establishing AOC as the exclusive sports medicine partner of GCSU Athletics.

Through the partnership, Athens Orthopedic Clinic will provide comprehensive orthopedic and sports medicine support for GCSU student-athletes, including physician coverage at GCSU athletic events and priority access to imaging and treatment seven days a week.

GCSU student-athletes will also have access to AOC's extensive team of orthopedic specialists, providing expertise across a wide range of sports-related injuries and conditions, including specialists fellowship trained in shoulder, knee, hand, foot and ankle, and spine care.

"This partnership is about providing GCSU student-athletes with exceptional access to orthopedic care when they need it most," said Athens Orthopedic Clinic CEO Michael Boblitz. "Athens Orthopedic Clinic has a tremendous team of physicians and specialists, and we are excited to bring that expertise directly to Georgia College & State University Athletics. From around-the-clock availability to priority imaging, treatment and access to our specialists, our goal is to provide GCSU's student-athletes and athletic training staff with the highest level of orthopedic care, allowing them to confidently navigate injuries and return to competition quickly."

The partnership creates a strong sports medicine relationship between AOC and GCSU Athletics designed to provide student-athletes with efficient access to evaluation, imaging, treatment and specialized orthopedic care. Access to the AOC network allows student-athletes to receive specialized physician care, including priority access to AOC's MRI and imaging services, sports medicine therapy and private ambulatory surgery centers. Bringing AOC's comprehensive sports medicine network to GCSU Athletics provides the university with access to resources and services traditionally associated with major collegiate athletic programs.

The partnership also creates educational and professional opportunities for GCSU athletic training students, including opportunities to gain on-field experience at high schools across North Georgia where AOC provides sports medicine care.
"We want to create jobs for GCSU athletic trainers while elevating care at high schools across the state," said Boblitz.

"This is an outstanding partnership for Georgia College & State University and, most importantly, for our student-athletes," said GCSU Director of Athletics Wendell Staton. "Providing our student-athletes with exceptional care and resources is one of our highest priorities, and Athens Orthopedic Clinic shares that commitment. The immediate access to an outstanding team of orthopedic specialists, combined with on-campus coverage, represents a tremendous enhancement to the level of sports medicine support available to our student-athletes."

"We are incredibly appreciative of Michael Boblitz and the entire Athens Orthopedic Clinic team for their commitment to Bobcat Athletics and to the health, safety and well-being of our student-athletes," added Staton. "This is much more than a traditional partnership. It is a relationship that will directly impact the student-athlete experience at GCSU."

For the GCSU athletic training staff, the partnership will provide an expert resource in the day-to-day evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation of more than 250 Bobcat student-athletes.

AOC's dedicated sports medicine team includes Dr. Cody White, sports medicine and shoulder reconstruction; Dr. Colt Crymes, hand and upper extremity; Dr. Steve Johnson, sports medicine; and Dr. Joe Johnson, foot and ankle.

"Access is incredibly important in sports medicine, and this partnership gives our student-athletes and athletic training staff direct access to physicians and specialists throughout the week," said GCSU Director of Athletic Training Stacey Lampkin. "Having a physician regularly available in Milledgeville, combined with priority access to imaging and treatment, allows us to communicate quickly, make informed decisions and develop the appropriate plan of care for each student-athlete."

"Athens Orthopedic Clinic also gives us access to specialists across multiple areas of orthopedics," added Lampkin. "Whether we are dealing with a knee, shoulder, hand, foot or another orthopedic injury, having that depth of expertise available to our student-athletes is a tremendous resource for our athletic training program."

Athens Orthopedic Clinic has served patients throughout Northeast and Middle Georgia for 60 years, providing orthopedic care across multiple specialties and locations. As the exclusive sports medicine partner of GCSU Athletics, AOC will work closely with the Bobcat athletic training staff throughout the academic year to support the health, recovery and performance of GCSU student-athletes.

About Athens Orthopedic Clinic
Founded in 1966, Athens Orthopedic Clinic is Northeast Georgia's largest provider of orthopedics and sports medicine, serving more than 237,000 patients annually. With a team of 79 physicians, advanced practice providers and outpatient therapists, AOC offers comprehensive orthopedic services, including joint and spine care, ambulatory surgery, imaging, physical therapy, urgent care and occupational medicine. AOC physicians serve as teaching faculty at the Medical College of Georgia and the University of Georgia School of Medicine. Learn more at athensorthopedicclinic.com.

About GCSU Athletics
Owning the top Academic Success Rate among all public colleges and universities in Division II for five consecutive academic years, the Georgia College Department of Athletics sponsors 13 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. GCSU Athletics has won six consecutive Presidents' Awards for Academic Excellence and is a two-time winner of the PBC Commissioner's Cup and a four-time winner of the PBC Institution of the Year Sportsmanship Award. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams' continued appearances in postseason competition as well as high-level academic success and community service involvement. Bobcat Athletics embodies the mantra of "Graduating Champions for Life."