One of the most renowned shoulder specialists in the region, James Wilson Jr., MD, specializes in sports medicine with a focus on the shoulder, hip and knee. It’s a reputation he has built over years as one of the top experts in his field, and it was nurtured from an early age.

“My father is an oral surgeon, and I grew up around surgery,” he said. “I’ve always enjoyed anatomy and I was an athlete, so I had those experiences with sports medicine and personal injury.”

Over a 20-year wrestling career during school, including being named an All-American while at UNC Chapel Hill, he saw his share of injuries. He has since worked with athletes at Torment FC, Georgia Southern, Armstrong and the Savannah Sand Gnats to treat a variety of conditions to include sports and traumatic injuries, degenerative disorders, and conditions resulting from overuse.

Alongside sports medicine, he developed his expertise in shoulder surgeries, being the first surgeon in the state of Georgia to execute a reverse total shoulder replacement and racking up thousands of success stories.

A 22-year resident of Savannah, he has devoted himself to his community as well. For the last decade he has served up meals for the homeless with Inner City Night Shelter, helped start the wrestling program at Savannah Country Day and is a frequent speaker among local running groups.