Doctor's Bio
Dr. Cleo D. Stafford is board-certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, with a subspecialty in Sports Medicine. A former baseball player, Dr. Stafford has carried his love of sports into his medical career, combining passion with expertise to help athletes and active individuals stay in the game.
He earned his medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine and completed his residency at Emory University, where he served as chief resident. He then completed a prestigious Sports Medicine fellowship at the American Sports Medicine Institute/Andrews Sports Medicine Center in Birmingham, Alabama. During his training, he served as an assistant team physician for Troy University, the Birmingham Barons, and Oak Grove High School and provided medical coverage for major athletic events like the SEC Baseball Tournament and NCAA Wrestling Championships.
Dr. Stafford takes a personalized, comprehensive approach to treating sports-related injuries and orthopedic conditions. His areas of focus include sport-related concussions, joint and soft tissue injuries, Orthobiologics, minimally invasive procedures, and musculoskeletal ultrasound for both diagnosis and treatment.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Stafford enjoys playing softball, catching live music shows, and spending quality time with his family.
Board Certifications
American Board of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Affiliations
Emory
Education & Training
- Medical School: Howard University College of Medicine
- Internship: Howard University Hospital
- Residency: Emory University School Of Medicine
Fellowships
St. Vincent's East/American Sports
Awards and Honors
- 2015-2016 Administrative Chief Resident, Dept. of Rehabilitative Medicine, Emory SOM 2012
- Charles Epps, Jr. Prize in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2011
- University of California, Davis Visiting Elective Program Scholarship 2011
- Hubert Humphrey Scholarship Fund Recipient 2011
- Dr. Josephus C. and Nellie C. Carr General Scholarship Recipient 2010
- Howard University College of Medicine General Scholarship Recipient 2009
- Gwendolyn E. Mingo Cancer Research Fellowship 2009
- Howard University College of Medicine General Scholarship Recipient 2006-2008
- University Graduate Student Matriculation Waiver Award Recipient 2006- 2008
- University Graduate Student Assistantship Award Recipient 2006
- Dean's List 2002, 2003, 2005
- Honor Roll 2002-2006
- Florida Bright Future's Merit Award Scholarship Recipient 2002-2004
- National Dean's List 2002-2003
- Florida A&M University Presidential Scholarship Award Recipient
Locations and Directions
Camp Creek Comprehensive Care Center
Phone: (404) 489-4444
Location:
3896 Princeton Lakes Way
Atlanta, GA 30331
Correll Pavilion
Phone: (404) 616-1000
Location:
80 Gilmer St. SE
Atlanta, GA 30303
Kirkwood Health Center
Phone: (404) 616-9304
Location:
1863 Memorial Drive SE
Atlanta, GA 30317
Publications
- Guidelines and Checklist for a Sports Ultrasound Curriculum for Residents.
Schroeder AN, Kruse RC, Rudolph L, Vidlock K, Chu J, Colorado BS, Duerson D, Hatamiya N, McKeag ID, Pierko E, Prendergast N, Stafford CD, Street Callender S, Yurgil J, Waterbrook A
Current sports medicine reports. 2025;24(7):219-230.
PMID: 40627564 - Focus areas and methodological characteristics of North American-based health disparity research in sports medicine: a scoping review.
Kliethermes SA, Asif IM, Blauwet C, Christensen L, Coleman N, Lavallee ME, Moeller JL, Phillips SF, Rao A, Rizzone KH, Sund S, Tanji JL, Tuakli-Wosornu YA, Stafford CD
British journal of sports medicine. 2024;58(3):164-171.
PMID: 38216322 - Sports Medicine Curricular Recommendations for Undergraduate Medical Education.
Ferderber M, Wilson K, Buchanan BK, Street Callender SV, Deck JW, Kerr H, Lemmen B, Stafford CD, Wang DA, Waterbrook AL
Current sports medicine reports. 2023;22(5):172-180.
PMID: 37141612 - Health disparities in the management of ACL injuries: How socioeconomic status, insurance, and race influence care.
Stafford CD, Keitt F, Irvin L
PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitation. 2022;14(5):669-677.
PMID: 35488488 - Orthobiologics in Elbow Injuries.
Stafford CD, Colberg RE, Garrett H
Clinics in sports medicine. 2020;39(3):717-732.
PMID: 32446585 - Chronic ischial tuberosity avulsion nonunion fracture treated with a platelet-rich plasma injection as a bone graft.
Stafford CD, Colberg RE, Nourse AL
Regenerative medicine. 2019;14(5):353-358.
PMID: 31070520 - Ultrasound-Guided Distal Bicep Tendon Injection Using a Posterior Approach.
Mautner K, Stafford CD, Nguyen P
PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitation. 2015;7(9):1007-1010.
PMID: 25843372
PLANNING
PREPARING FOR YOUR VISIT
Whether you’re a patient or you’re visiting one, a little planning beforehand can make your visit to Grady easier and more comfortable. Here, you’ll find everything you need to prepare for your visit, including an appointment checklist, admissions information, dining options, and much more.