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Two standout professionals from Northside Hospital Orthopedic Institute have earned top honors from the Georgia Athletic Trainers’ Association (GATA).
Dr. Joseph Powers received the prestigious Jack C. Hughston Physician of the Year Award, while Ruth Walker-Harris was named the Early Professional recipient of the Dr. Champ Baker Jr. Young Professional Leadership Award.
Dr. Powers, a board-certified sports medicine physician and pediatrician, serves as the team physician for Georgia State University and sees patients in Sandy Springs and Alpharetta.
The Hughston Award honors physicians who have made significant contributions to the care and wellbeing of Georgia’s athletes.
Ruth Walker-Harris, MS, LAT, ATC, EMT-B, CES, SMTC, is an Athletic Trainer at Shiloh High School in Snellville through Source Sports Medicine.
She was recognized for her leadership and dedication to advancing the profession early in her career.
“One thing I love about being an athletic trainer is the relationships that I build with my athletes,” said Walker-Harris. “We can utilize them to provide better care and a more holistic round of care for our athletes.”
The GATA presented both awards during its 2025 Annual Meeting and Member Symposium, which was held May 30–31 at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.
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