John Garrett, MD, who founded Atlanta-based Resurgens Orthopaedics, died May 28 at the age of 84, according to an email shared with Becker’s.
Dr. Garrett founded Resurgens in 1986, growing it from a single-physician practice to one of the largest orthopedic groups in the U.S. An arthroscopic and reconstructive knee surgeon, he was a prominent sports medicine figure and was the team physician for the Atlanta Falcons from 1980 to 1993.
He also established the Resurgens Surgery Center in 1990, one of the state’s frist orthopedic-focused ASCs.
Physicians with Resurgens shared their reflections about Dr. Garrett and his legacy.
Raj Bhole, MD (Chairman/President, Resurgens Orthopedics): Dr. Garrett’s visionary leadership in establishing Resurgens transformed orthopedic care in Georgia, and his legacy of patient-centered excellence will continue to guide our practice for generations to come. What began as his singular vision has grown into one of the nation’s largest and most respected orthopedic practices, touching countless lives through exceptional care, and we are deeply honored to carry forward the standards of excellence and compassion he so firmly established.
John Gleason, MD (former co-president): I knew John Garrett for over 30 years. He was a Renaissance leader in medicine and business, and he always let us be leaders by advising us on where to go next and allowing us to figure out how to get there in the best way possible.
Steve Wertheim, MD (former Resurgens co-president): Dr. Garrett was a true visionary for not just the clinical aspects of orthopedic surgery but for how orthopedic practices should be integrated for the benefit of the patients. After founding Resurgens, he always focused on what was good for the patients and our doctors and always emphasized making decisions based on the benefits to the overall practice and not any one physician. In my 20 plus years in the leadership of Resurgens he was always a guiding force and resource for all of us. He was a mentor and friend. May his memory be a blessing and guide to all of us.
Senator Kay Kirkpatrick, MD (former Resurgens co-president): Dr. Garrett was not only a pioneer in knee surgery, but a visionary whose concept of ‘one-stop orthopedic care’ was way ahead of his time. He was a mentor to me and many other young surgeons. He leaves a great legacy as the founder of Resurgens and an example of excellence in orthopedics.
Mark Hanna, MD: Dr. Garrett was a force of nature, a true Renaissance man. He was a beloved and highly skilled surgeon, a devoted family man, a visionary leader, a world traveler, and so much more. He brought out the best out of those around him and made us all better. He will be missed.
Drew Miller, MD: Dr. John Garrett was a brilliant and innovative orthopedic surgeon who helped pioneer advances in knee surgery for both athletes and patients of all walks of life. Dr. Garrett was a visionary who assembled multiple independent orthopedic practices into what today is almost 100-physician orthopedic practice. Above all, he was a gifted and beloved physician who loved taking care of patients and made each one feel that they were the most important person he saw that day.
While we are deeply saddened by Dr. Garrett’s passing, his mission, vision and values he instilled will remain at the heart of our organization. Every patient we serve, every physician we support and every community we impact stands as a testament to the foundation he built and the legacy he leaves behind.
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