Dr. Kimberly Walpert earned her medical degree at Tulane University School of Medicine. She completed a general surgery internship at the University of Tennessee at Memphis and a neurosurgical residency at The University of Tennessee and Semmes-Murphey Clinic in Memphis.Dr. Walpert is a fellow of the American Association of Neurosurgery and a member of the Neurological Society of America. She holds an appointment to the NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and is an assistant clinical professor of neurosurgery at the University of Georgia Health Sciences Campus. She has a special interest in minimally invasive, microscopic treatment of spine disorders, head injury and radiosurgery and image-guidance in surgery for brain tumors. Dr. Walpert is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Scoliosis. Her top areas of expertise are Cervical Spondylosis, Sciatica, Spinal Stenosis, Gastrostomy, and Microdiscectomy.

Shashikant Patil is a Neurosurgery provider in Athens, Georgia. Dr. Patil is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Scoliosis. His top areas of expertise are Scoliosis, Kyphosis, Spinal Stenosis, Microdiscectomy, and Cervical Disc Surgery.

Dr. Eric Sankey is a board-certified neurosurgeon with advanced training in complex and minimally invasive spine surgery. He earned his medical degree from Johns Hopkins and completed his residency and fellowship at Duke.Using a patient-centered, evidence-based approach, Dr. Sankey treats a wide range of neurological conditions, including degenerative spine disease, spinal deformity, traumatic brain and spine injuries, peripheral nerve disorders, and tumors affecting the nervous system. Dr. Sankey is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Scoliosis. His top areas of expertise are Pseudotumor Cerebri Syndrome, Sciatica, Increased Intracranial Pressure, Posterior Fossa Decompression, and Tissue Biopsy.

Jon M. McGough, M.D. is board certified in internal medicine. A Georgia native, he attended the University of Georgia and the Medical College of Georgia before completing his residency at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC.He is passionate about helping patients maintain good health through optimizing their diets, exercise routines, and sleeping habits while placing strong emphasis on preventive care, age-appropriate vaccination, and thoughtful use of evidence based medical tests.His interests include management of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes; management of anxiety and depression; and assistance with weight loss. He also prescribes PrEP.While away from the clinic, he enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, hiking, gardening and supporting UGA athletics. Dr. Mcgough is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Scoliosis. His top areas of expertise are Glucocorticoid-Remediable Aldosteronism, Familial Hypertension, Hypertension, and Bronchitis.

Dr. Jonathan Payne grew up in nearby Loganville, Georgia. He attended the University of Georgia and received a degree in biochemistry and molecular biology in 2008. Prior to beginning medical school, he volunteered to join the United States Army and was commissioned as an officer. He went on to complete medical training at The Medical College of Georgia in 2013. Following graduation, Dr. Payne completed five years of orthopedic surgery training at the San Antonio Military Medical Center, the only level 1 trauma center in the entire military.After completing residency in 2018, Dr. Payne served four years as a military orthopedic surgeon and performed hundreds of surgeries during this time. He played a key role in bringing robotic surgery capabilities to Fort Hood, Texas and has several years' experience with this technology.He is a combat veteran and deployed to a remote location in the Middle East with the elite Green Beret soldiers of the 5th Special Forces Group. During this time, he performed multiple surgeries on casualties near the front lines of a war zone and provided humanitarian medical aid to the local population. Dr. Payne has research articles published in peer-reviewed orthopedic journals and is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.Dr. Payne is board certified and specializes in major joint surgery of the shoulder, hip, and knee. He cares for problems related to tendon and ligament injuries, broken bones, arthritis and a wide range of injuries from sports and daily activities.He is happily married with two children, and has two miniature wiener dogs named Beau and Georgia. He enjoys spending time with family and is active in his church. The Georgia Bulldogs are near and dear to his heart as well as his mama's home cooking. Dr. Payne is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Scoliosis. His top areas of expertise are Osteoarthritis, Tendinitis, Bursitis, Tenosynovitis, and Hip Replacement.

Alain Morel, MD, earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra, Dominican Republic and completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Piedmont Athens Regional.Dr. Morel has been practicing medicine for 3 years and is presently core faculty for the Piedmont Athens Regional Internal Medicine Residency Program. His special interests include obesity medicine, screening and management of chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.In his spare time, Dr. Morel enjoys cooking with his wife and son. He spends time building and tinkering with computers. He also donates his skills serving the underprivilege areas of Athens and abroad.Dr. Morel is accepting new patients and welcomes most major insurance plans. Dr. Ovalle is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Scoliosis. His top areas of expertise are Familial Hypertension, Hypertension, Glucocorticoid-Remediable Aldosteronism, and Type 2 Diabetes (T2D).

William Tally is an Orthopedics provider in Athens, Georgia. Dr. Tally is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Scoliosis. His top areas of expertise are Spondylolisthesis, Spinal Stenosis, Scoliosis, Cervical Disc Surgery, and Herniated Disc Surgery. Dr. Tally is currently accepting new patients.

Julian Price is an Orthopedics provider in Athens, Georgia. Dr. Price is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Scoliosis. His top areas of expertise are Cervical Spondylosis, Spinal Stenosis, Spondylolisthesis, Herniated Disc Surgery, and Cervical Disc Surgery. Dr. Price is currently accepting new patients.

Kilian van Rijn, MD, earned his medical degree from Erasmus University Rotterdam in The Netherlands, and completed his Internal Medicine residency at Piedmont Athens Regional. He received his undergraduate degree in Biomedical Sciences from The University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Dr. van Rijn is board is board certified.Dr. van Rijn's special interests include general internal medicine, screening and management of chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.In his spare time, Dr. van Rijn enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons.Dr. van Rijn is accepting new patients and welcomes most major insurance plans. Dr. Van Rijn is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Scoliosis. His top areas of expertise are Cirrhosis, Familial Hypertension, Hypertension, and Glucocorticoid-Remediable Aldosteronism.

Mallory Shillinger DO earned her medical degree from Nova Southeastern Osteopathic Medical School, and completed her residency at Florida State University. She received her undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences from University of Central Florida, and is board certified in Internal Medicine.Dr. Shillinger is passionate about providing patent centered care that is rooted in up-to-date evidence based medicine. Her goal is to help patients maximize their own health with a focus on preventive care and wellness. She enjoys managing hypertension, Diabetes, Thyroid disorders, and helping patient achieve their weight loss goals. She also has a strong foundation in the geriatric population and with women's health with a particular focus on osteoporosis, cervical and breast cancer screen.In her spare time, Dr. Shillinger enjoys spending time in the outdoors, cooking and playing with her dog, Ruby.Dr. Shillinger is not accepting new patients and welcomes most major insurance plans. Dr. Shillinger is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Scoliosis. Her top areas of expertise are Vitamin D Deficiency, High Cholesterol, Hypertension, and Glucocorticoid-Remediable Aldosteronism.

Dr. Patrick Lucas earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta and completed his residency at Wake Forest University Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, NC. He earned his Associates of Science in Biology from Middle Georgia College and his Bachelors of Science in Biology from The University of Georgia. Dr. Lucas is board certified in Internal Medicine.Dr. Lucas has been practicing medicine in Athens for 15 years. In additional to practicing Internal Medicine, Dr. Lucas serves as the Medical Director of a local Hospice company.Dr. Lucas was chosen as a Harry S. Truman Scholar in 1997 while attending the University of Georgia. He was also chosen one of UGA's 40 Under 40 outstanding alumni in 2013. He and his wife, Julie, were members of the 2016 Class of Leadership Georgia. Dr. Lucas has served on the Leadership Georgia Board of Trustees since 2018. The also serves on the Board of Directors of his home Methodist church.In his spare time, Dr. Lucas enjoys traveling and spending time with his family. He also teaches youth Sunday School and has coached his son and daughter in various youth sports. He also enjoys painting, horseback riding, hunting, fishing, and playing golf. Dr. Lucas is not accepting new patients and welcomes most major insurance plans. Dr. Lucas is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Scoliosis. His top areas of expertise are Sitosterolemia, Familial Hypertension, Glucocorticoid-Remediable Aldosteronism, and Hypertension.

Dr. Braucher earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia and completed his residency at the University of Arkansas. He received his undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Georgia and is board certified in Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and Hospice and Palliative Care.Dr. Braucher has been practicing medicine for 32 years. Prior to joining Piedmont Physician Group, Dr. Braucher was a member of the Athens Regional Physician Group. He has historically been in private practice as well.In his spare time, Dr. Braucher enjoys spending time with his family. He enjoys landscaping, canoeing, hiking, and swimming. Please call the office to inquire about becoming a new patient. Dr. Braucher is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Scoliosis. His top areas of expertise are Glossitis, Pernicious Anemia, Melorheostosis with Osteopoikilosis, and Melorheostosis.

Dr. Melissa Martin earned her medical degree and completed her residency at the University of Maryland. She received her undergraduate and master's degrees in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Georgia and is board certified in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics.Dr. Melissa Martin has been practicing medicine for 14 years. Prior to joining Piedmont Physician Group, Dr. Martin was a part of the Athens Regional Physician Enterprise.In her spare time, Dr. Melissa Martin enjoys spending time with her family. She enjoys hiking, rafting, and reading. Feel free to call the office to inquire that status of becoming a new patient. Dr. Martin is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Scoliosis. Her top areas of expertise are Cellulitis, Peptic Ulcer, Necrosis, and H1N1 Influenza.

Gail Hurley is a primary care provider, practicing in General Practice in Athens, Georgia. Dr. Hurley is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Scoliosis. Her top areas of expertise are Glucocorticoid-Remediable Aldosteronism, Familial Hypertension, Hypertension, and Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young. Dr. Hurley is currently accepting new patients.

Christopher Doerr is a Physiatrist in Athens, Georgia. Dr. Doerr is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Scoliosis. His top areas of expertise are Cervical Spondylosis, Spinal Stenosis, Sacroiliac Joint Disease, and Invertebral Disc Disease. Dr. Doerr is currently accepting new patients.

Jon De Witte is a Radiologist in Athens, Georgia. Dr. De Witte is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Scoliosis. His top areas of expertise are Mikulicz Disease, Headache, CAPOS Syndrome, and Vertigo. Dr. De Witte is currently accepting new patients.

Jared Mills is a Radiologist in Athens, Georgia. Dr. Mills is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Scoliosis. His top areas of expertise are Tenosynovitis, Bronchogenic Cyst, Pleurisy, and Pleural Effusion. Dr. Mills is currently accepting new patients.

Clifford Smith is a Radiologist in Athens, Georgia. Dr. Smith is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Scoliosis. His top areas of expertise are Lymphofollicular Hyperplasia, Visceromegaly, Melorheostosis with Osteopoikilosis, Bone Marrow Aspiration, and Gastrostomy. Dr. Smith is currently accepting new patients.

Shane Kudela is a Radiologist in Athens, Georgia. Dr. Kudela is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Scoliosis. His top areas of expertise are Visceromegaly, Liver Failure, Jaundice, Bone Marrow Aspiration, and Gastrostomy. Dr. Kudela is currently accepting new patients.

Ross Christopher is a Radiologist in Athens, Georgia. Dr. Christopher has been practicing medicine for over 10 years and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Scoliosis. His top areas of expertise are CAPOS Syndrome, Pleurisy, Aseptic and Alopecic Nodules of Scalp (AANS), and Pleural Effusion. Dr. Christopher is currently accepting new patients.