Athens Orthopedic Clinic Adds Two Specialists to Expand Access to Orthopedic Care

Fellowship-Trained Surgeons Colt Crymes, MD, and Charles "Cody" While IV, MD, Elevate Specialized Care in Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery, Sports Medicine, Shuolder Reconstruction
 

Athens Orthopedic Clinic is expanding access to specialty orthopedic care across Northeast Georgia with the addition of two fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons, Colt Crymes, MD, and Charles “Cody” White IV, MD. Dr. Crymes specializes in hand and upper extremity surgery, while Dr. White specializes in sports medicine and shoulder reconstruction.

“We’re always looking for ways to offer greater access and care to our patients, and bringing Dr. Crymes and Dr. White on board are great assets to our AOC team,” said Mike Boblitz, CEO of Athens Orthopedic Clinic. “Their complementary expertise in hand and upper extremity surgery, sports medicine and shoulder reconstruction strengthens the range of care we can provide and reflects our continued investment in the specialists our communities need.”

Dr. Crymes continues a family legacy in Athens medicine. His grandfather, John Crymes, was a founding member of Anesthesia Consultants of Athens and served at St. Mary’s Hospital for more than two decades. His father, Brent Crymes, practiced ophthalmology in the community with Athens Eye Doctors & Surgeons for more than 30 years. Dr. Crymes returns home after completing advanced fellowship training at Florida Orthopaedic Institute in Tampa, Florida, where he gained specialized experience treating common injuries as well as complex conditions requiring reconstructive or microvascular procedures.

He graduated from Athens Academy before earning a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from Presbyterian College, where he competed as a Division I student-athlete on the men’s golf team. He received his medical education through the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, and Ochsner Health System in New Orleans, and he completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, Pennsylvania. During his residency, Dr. Crymes served as chief resident and was named Orthopedic Resident of the Year in 2025.

“Returning to Athens to care for the community that raised me is incredibly meaningful,” said Dr. Colt Crymes. “I look forward to helping patients understand their options, restore function and get back to the activities they enjoy. It is an honor to continue my family’s legacy of caring for people in this community.”

As a fellowship-trained sports medicine and shoulder reconstruction surgeon with advanced training from Steadman Hawkins Clinic of the Carolinas/Prisma Health, Dr. White IV focuses on evaluating and treating shoulder, rotator cuff and sports-related injuries, including arthroscopic and reconstructive procedures. His areas of care include shoulder reconstruction and arthroplasty, shoulder instability, rotator cuff repair, elbow surgery, ligament and tendon repair or reconstruction, nonoperative modalities such as PRP, ultrasound-guided injections, sports medicine physical therapy and guided rehabilitation.

Dr. White IV is a former chief resident at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine Chattanooga and has authored peer-reviewed research and presented nationally on shoulder surgery, sports medicine and orthopedic outcomes. He previously served as team physician for Clemson University Athletics and currently serves Georgia College & State University.

“My goal is to provide thoughtful, focused care that helps each patient move forward with confidence,” said Dr. White IV. “I look forward to joining the AOC team and offering specialized care to patients across Northeast Georgia.”

Dr. Crymes will see patients at Athens Main Clinic, Lake Oconee Clinic, Loganville Clinic and Madison beginning Oct. 1, 2026. Dr. White IV began seeing patients on Sept. 14 at Athens Main Clinic, Lake Oconee Clinic, Loganville Clinic, Loganville Surgery Center, Madison and Monroe. To schedule an appointment, visit athensorthopedicclinic.com.

About Athens Orthopedic Clinic: Founded in 1966, Athens Orthopedic Clinic is Northeast Georgia’s largest provider of orthopedics and sports medicine, serving more than 230,000 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. Learn more at www.athensorthopedicclinic.com.