Spencer M. Wheeler, M.D. graduated from the University of Georgia before receiving his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia. Dr. Wheeler then attended the University of Florida where he completed his internship and residency in Orthopaedic Surgery. He has also completed two Sports Medicine fellowships after residency. His fellowships were at Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland and at North Sydney Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Centre in Sydney, Australia.
Dr. Wheeler has been intimately involved in local, state, national and international Sports Medicine, including the 1996 Olympic Games and 7 World Championship events. He has served as team physician for Armstrong Atlantic State University for 18 years and at Savannah College of Art and Design for 16 years. He continues to treat many Olympic and professional athletes, as well as “weekend warriors.”
Dr. Wheeler specializes in arthroscopy of the knee and shoulder, but also continues to treat general orthopaedic problems.
Information
Undergraduate
- Armstrong State University
Savannah, Georgia - University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia
Graduate
- Medical College of Georgia
Augusta, Georgia
Internship
- University of Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
Residency
- University of Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
Fellowship
- Sports Medicine - Union Memorial Hospital
Baltimore, Maryland - Sports Medicine - North Sydney Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Centre
Sydney, Australia
Board Certified
- American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
Physician Assistants
Professional Accomplishments
- Team Physician for multiple athletic teams in Jacksonville, Florida – 1985–1990
- Team Physician for Baltimore Orioles – 1990
- Head Team Physician for Armstrong State University Athletic Program – 1991–2010
- Head Team Physician for 14 Greater Savannah Area public and private high schools – 1991–present
- Head Team Physician for Savannah Rug Rats Professional Indoor Soccer Team – 1998–2000
- Head Team Physician for Savannah College of Art and Design – 1995–present
- Director and Head Physician, Savannah Sports Medicine – 1991–1993; Candler Sports Medicine – 1993–2000; and Memorial Sports Medicine – 2000–present
- Head Team Physician, USA Weightlifting – 1992–2002
- Team Physician, Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs – 1994, 1996
- Medical Director, Savannah Olympic Sailing Venue – 1995–1996
- Team Physician, 1996 Olympic Games, in charge of World Congress Center venue
- Team Physician at 7 world championships, 2 Olympic games, 14 national championships, 2 Pan-American Games and 2 World Masters games
- Head Team Physician for Men’s and Women’s National Wheelchair Basketball Paralympic Teams – 2013–present
- Faculty Member, Mercer Medical School – 2005–present
- Affiliate Graduate Faculty Member, Virginia Commonwealth University – 2015
Professional Affiliations
- American Medical Association
- American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery
- Arthroscopy Association of North America
- Southern Medical Association
- Georgia Orthopaedic Society
- McCue Sports Medicine Society
Awards
- University of Georgia School of Pharmacy Waters Award for Outstanding Senior Student – 1978
- University of Georgia School of Pharmacy Bristol Award for Outstanding Achievement and Personal Contribution to the School of Pharmacy – 1978
- Commencement Speaker, UGA School of Pharmacy Class of 1978 Graduation
- Savannah Magazine “Best Orthopaedist” – 2012, 2014
- Armstrong Athletic Hall of Fame
- Greater Savannah Athletic Hall of Fame – M. A. Spellman Award – 2018
