Boatwright is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and has been practicing medicine for over 12 years. He is a graduate of Mercer University School of Medicine and completed his residency at the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, Virginia. Dr. Boatwright is a former Commander in the U.S. Navy, where he served for 13 years. Specializing in musculoskeletal system maladies, Boatwright most commonly treats broken bones, ligament tears and cartilage loss, among other things, but enjoys the operative treatment of orthopedic injuries. “The most rewarding part of my job is helping patients return to a high functioning level following acute musculoskeletal injuries,” he said. “I love learning about my patients, listening to their concerns and working hard to ease tensions and calm fears.” After 13 years of living near beaches as part of the Navy, Boatwright and his family are looking forward to the mountain views of northeastern Alabama and a bit of a return to small-town living. Boatwright is originally from Willacoochee, Georgia, a place he describes as “a small town with not even one red light,” about 30 miles east of Tifton, Georgia. After overcoming his own injuries as a teenager, Boatwright decided he wanted to help other people overcome physical challenges of their own to improve their function and quality of life. He attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, GA, then Shorter College in Rome, Georgia, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in chemistry.