St. Mary’s Medical Group has announced the launch of St. Mary’s Orthopedic Specialists (SMOS), a new orthopedic practice opening on December 8. The practice is being established in partnership with Dr. Randy Lavender, Jr., a board-certified orthopedic surgeon.
The new facility will be located at The Exchange office park, 2470 Daniells Bridge Road, Building 300. This location also houses other outpatient services often needed by orthopedic patients, such as MRI, CT and x-ray imaging, rehabilitation services, and St. Mary’s Wellness Center.
Stonish Pierce, President and CEO of Trinity Health Georgia, commented on the initiative: “We are blessed to live in an active, rapidly growing community. But with that growth comes an increasing number of orthopedic conditions, including wear-and-tear injuries as our active population ages. Our partnership with Dr. Lavender will expand our region’s ability to meet the orthopedic needs of our friends and families right here in Northeast Georgia. We are thrilled to welcome him to the St. Mary’s team.”
Dr. Lavender joins SMOS from Crisp Regional Hospital in Cordele, Georgia, where he worked as a general orthopedic surgeon since October 2022. He previously practiced in Florida and Louisiana.
His background includes experience in general orthopedic surgery with a focus on hip and knee replacements and robotic procedures. Dr. Lavender graduated Cum Laude from Rhodes College in Memphis in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in biology and participated in Army ROTC before being commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army upon graduation.
He earned his medical degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans in 2013 and completed his residency at Orlando Health, Orlando Regional Medical Center—a level one trauma center—in 2018. He later completed a fellowship in adult reconstructive surgery at New England Baptist Hospital in Boston.
Dr. Lavender is certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery and licensed to practice medicine in Georgia.
His military service began as a treatment platoon leader with the U.S. Army’s 15th Forward Support Battalion in Iraq and included several roles such as medical platoon leader with the 1st Battalion 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division before transitioning to civilian practice in July 2013.
During his time with the U.S. Army, Dr. Lavender received multiple awards including the Humanitarian Service Award, Army Commendation Medal, Combat Action Badge, Expert Field Medic Badge, Bronze Star Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, and Overseas Service Ribbon.
St. Mary’s Orthopedic Specialists is now accepting new patient appointments; some insurance plans may require a physician referral for visits or procedures at SMOS. The practice accepts most major insurance plans as well as Medicare.
For more information or to make an appointment, patients can call (706) 389-3590 or visit www.stmarys-health.org.