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Dr. Cleo D. Stafford

Dr. Cleo D. Stafford, MD, MS, CAQSM, FAAPMR

Dr. Cleo D. Stafford is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation with a subspecialty certification in Sports Medicine. As a former baseball player, his passion for sports is longstanding and has continued throughout his medical training. Dr. Stafford graduated from Howard University College of Medicine and went on to complete his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Emory University, where he also served as chief resident. He then completed his Sports Medicine fellowship at the American Sports Medicine Institute/Andrews Sports Medicine Center in Birmingham, Al. During his fellowship, he was an assistant team physician for Troy University athletics, Birmingham Barons and Oak Grove High School. Dr. Stafford also provided medical coverage for the SEC Baseball tournament, AAC Track Championships, NCAA Wrestling Championships and the Mercedes Marathon. Dr. Stafford utilizes a comprehensive and patient specific approach in the management of sports related injuries and orthopaedic disorders that best restores function. He specializes in sport related concussions, acute/chronic soft tissue and joint disorders, Orthobiologics, minimally invasive procedures and diagnostic/interventional musculoskeletal ultrasound. When not practicing medicine, Dr. Stafford enjoys playing softball, attending live music events and spending time with his family.

Specialties

  • Orthopaedics

Fellowships

  • St. Vincent's East/American Sports

Affiliations

  • Emory

Education & Training

  • Medical School: Howard University College of Medicine
  • Internship: Howard University Hospital
  • Residency: Emory University School of Medicine

Honors & Awards

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 FutureÕs Merit Award Scholarship Recipient 2002-2004

National Dean's List 2002-2003

Florida A&M University Presidential Scholarship Award Recipient

Publications

Stafford, C., et al. (2015). Rehabilitation of a Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury Caused by Tourette's Syndrome: A Case Report. IJMPCR. 5(4): 1-5 DOI: 10.9734/IJMPCR/2015/19245

Stafford, C., et al. (2015). Osteoporosis Reduction in Pre and Postmenopausal Women Using a High Intensity Exercise Program. IJMPCR. 5(1): 1-6 DOI: 10.9734/IJMPCR/2015/19244

Mautner, K., Stafford, C., & Nguyen, P. (2015 Sept). Ultrasound guided Distal Bicep Tendon injection using a posterior approach. PM&R. 7(9): 1007-1010 doi: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2015.03.023. PMID: 25843372

Burke D, McCargo T, Bell R, P. Burke D, D. Stafford II C (Feb 2018). Improved Batting Performance through a Novel Resistance Training Program. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 1(1):28 doi:https://doi.org/10.31532/PhysMedRehabil.1.1.005

Stafford, C, Colber, R. & Nourse, A (2019). Chronic ischial tuberosity avulsion nonunion fracture treated with a platelet rich-plasma injection as a bone graft. Regen. Med. 14(5):353-358. doi: 10.2217/rme-2018-0071

Stafford CD 2nd, Colberg RE, Garrett H. Orthobiologics in Elbow Injuries. Clin Sports Med. 2020;39(3):717-732. doi:10.1016/j.csm.2020.02.008