To schedule a consultation with one of our orthopedic experts in Birmingham, Hoover, Pell City, or Vestavia Hills, please call (205) 228-7600 today or request an appointment online.
Athletes Treating Athletes
Where Athletic Experience Meets Orthopedic Expertise
At OrthoAlabama Spine & Sports, many of our sports medicine doctors are athletes themselves and understand the unique needs of athletes. Their firsthand experience with training, competition, injury, and recovery helps guide thoughtful, performance-focused care for athletes at every level.
Athletes place unique demands on their bodies, and effective treatment requires more than clinical knowledge alone. Several of our doctors have competed at different levels and remain active today. Because they’ve experienced the pressures and challenges of sport themselves, they understand what it takes to protect function, restore confidence, and support long-term joint health.
This shared athletic background allows our doctors to better understand:
- The physical and mental challenges of injury
- The urgency and complexity behind safe return-to-play decisions
- The importance of maintaining long-term performance and mobility
Whether you are a competitive athlete or simply want to stay active, you’ll be treated by a doctor who understands what movement means—and what it takes to get you back to the activities you love.
Our Experts
Mary E. Gilmer, M.D.
As a lifelong endurance athlete, Dr. Mary Gilmer brings a dynamic firsthand understanding of the physical demands faced by active patients. Her experience spans mountain biking, adventure racing, trail running, hiking, and competing in ultimate Frisbee at both local and national levels, giving her a rare appreciation for the discipline, preparation, and resilience required to perform and recover across diverse sports. Dr. Gilmer integrates this perspective into every aspect of her care, combining advanced clinical expertise with practical, athlete-informed guidance. Her approach emphasizes durable recovery, functional strength, and long-term joint health, helping patients stay confident and capable in the activities they love.
Bradly S. Goodman, M.D.
Dr. Bradly Goodman competed as a Division I tennis player at Vanderbilt University, earning All-SEC recognition in one of the nation’s most competitive collegiate conferences. His experience training, traveling, and competing at a high level gives him a unique perspective on the intensity, discipline, and injury challenges athletes face. This background directly influences his sports medicine and spine care practice today. Dr. Goodman brings a deep understanding of the pressures surrounding injury, the importance of strategic treatment planning, and the value of long-term performance preservation for active patients. His approach blends advanced clinical expertise with the mindset of a seasoned competitor.
Zane B. Hyde, M.D.
A former multisport athlete in baseball and football, Dr. Hyde brings authentic on-field insight to the evaluation and treatment of sports injuries. His background gives him firsthand understanding of the physical demands placed on athletes, from acute injuries to chronic overuse conditions. Today, he applies this experience to guide patients through a balanced approach to treatment—prioritizing timely recovery, functional strength, and long-term joint health. Dr. Hyde’s care philosophy is shaped by the same principles he valued as an athlete: resilience, preparation, and smart return-to-play decisions.
Quoc Jonathan Tran, M.D.
Dr. Quoc Jonathan Tran brings a broad and deeply personal athletic background to his approach to musculoskeletal and sports injury care. A former competitive volleyball athlete, he played for TEAM Vancouver and the British Columbia provincial team at Canadian Nationals before a high school back injury ended his competitive career. His own recovery journey, which includes physical therapy and orthobiologic therapy, shaped his understanding of injury, rehabilitation, and the importance of individualized care. Dr. Tran’s athletic experience extends beyond volleyball to ice hockey, adaptive tennis, rock climbing, and motorsports, giving him a unique appreciation for the varied physical demands placed on the body across sports. This diverse background informs his patient-centered approach, emphasizing thoughtful diagnosis, realistic recovery planning, and long-term function for active individuals at every level.
Gene L. Watterson, Jr., M.D.
A former collegiate track and field athlete, Dr. Gene Watterson competed in the javelin throw at Furman University, an experience that continues to influence his perspective on injury prevention, biomechanics, and performance-based care. Training and competing at a high level instilled a strong understanding of the precision, repetition, and physical stress inherent in overhead and explosive movements. Today, Dr. Watterson applies this insight to help patients navigate both acute injuries and long-term musculoskeletal challenges. His approach emphasizes efficient recovery, strength optimization, and durable outcomes, supporting patients as they work to return confidently to sport, work, and daily activity.