The Georgia Athletic Trainers Association has given top honors to two health care professionals affiliated with Northside Hospital Orthopedic Institute.
Dr. Joseph Powers received the Jack C. Hughston Physician of the Year Award. Ruth Walker-Harris received the Dr. Champ Baker Jr. Young Professional Leadership Award.
Dr. Powers is a fellowship-trained sports medicine physician with board certifications in pediatrics and sports medicine. He is the team physician for Georgia State University and sees patients with Northside Hospital Orthopedic Institute – Sports Medicine in Sandy Springs and Alpharetta.
The GATA gives the Hughston Award to physicians who have given their time and service to care for Georgia’s athletes.
Walker-Harris is an athletic trainer at Shiloh High School in Snellville. She works with Source Sports Medicine.
“One thing I love about being an athletic trainer is the relationships that I build with my athletes,” she said. “As an athletic trainer, the unique thing about building those relationships is that we can utilize them to provide better care and a more holistic round of care for our athletes.”
The Baker Award is given to athletic trainers who show leadership and a passion for the profession. Walker-Harris will be recognized as the Early Professional recipient.
The GATA presented the awards at its annual meeting and member symposium May 30-31 at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.
Learn more about orthopedic and sports medicine care at Northside.
Pictured top: (l-r) Andy Grubbs, GATA president; Dr. Joseph Powers and Stephanie Vasquez, GATA honors and awards chair. Pictured right: Ruth Walker-Harris.
