In 2020, Chatham Orthopaedic Associates, in collaboration with several area schools, expanded our sports medicine program to offer athletic training services. We were fortunate to recruit many talented and highly-trained Certified Athletic Trainers (ATCs), many of whom had already served in our community. As part of the healthcare team at COA, our ATCs provide injury and illness prevention, emergent care, examination and diagnosis, and therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries for student-athletes. We are proud of their dedication to their schools and teamwork with our other healthcare professionals.


Our Sports Medicine Team

Jason Hux, PT, MS, SCS

Jason is the director of Chatham Sports Medicine and a graduate of Armstrong Atlantic State University, where he received a Master of Science in Physical Therapy. His undergraduate degree is in Exercise and Sports Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Jason’s specialties include foot and ankle dysfunction with orthotic fabrication and golf-specific rehabilitation and performance. He has worked with high school, college, Olympic, and professional athletes in a variety of sports. As a board-certified clinical specialist in sports physical therapy, he takes pleasure in returning athletes to sports in optimum condition.

Colton Schieber, LAT, ATC

Colton is a 2019 graduate of Western Illinois University, where he received his Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training. He relocated to Savannah in the spring of 2019 while interning with Chatham Orthopaedic Associates. Colton joined Chatham Orthopaedics as a Certified Athletic Trainer in July 2020 and works with the student-athletes at Savannah Christian Preparatory School.

Denise Holloway, ATC/L, M.Ed.

Denise Holloway earned her M.A. in Education and her Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. After graduation, Denise worked for Miami Middletown University. She then moved on to be the Senior Woman Administrator at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. Denise has worked as an athletic trainer for several high schools in Ohio, at SCAD, and currently serves as the athletic trainer for Savannah Arts Academy. Denise has experience in high school, university, Olympic, and military settings, and always strives to provide the best care for her student-athletes.

Stephanie Johnson, MS, ATC

Stephanie was born and raised in Winthrop Harbor, Illinois. She received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Athletic Training from Illinois State University in 2011 and 2013. While at Illinois State, Stephanie was the athletic trainer for the softball team. Since relocating to Savannah in 2015, she has worked at Johnson High School and is now the athletic trainer at Woodville Tompkins High School.

Claudia Zyskowski, MS, LAT, ATC

Claudia received a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences from Boston University in 2016 and completed her Master of Science in Athletic Training from the University of South Florida in 2018. She previously worked at Savannah Arts Academy. Claudia is the Head Athletic Trainer at the Savannah College of Art and Design, where she works with the Women's Soccer, Men's Lacrosse, Bowling, and Golf teams.

James Berry, MS, LAT, ATC

James graduated from Georgia College and State University in 2014 with a bachelor's degree in Athletic Training and a Master of Science in Human Performance in 2016. After graduation, James worked in Anchorage, Alaska, covering high school athletics, club soccer, adult rugby, and various winter sports. James joined COA in 2020 and is currently an athletic trainer for Savannah College of Art and Design's Men's Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Cycling, and E-Sports intercollegiate teams.

Tonya Freeze, M.Ed., LAT, ATC

Tonya is certified through the Athletic Training Board of Certification and is licensed through the state of Georgia. In 2017, she completed her Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training at Frostburg State University in Maryland. After completing her master's degree in Sports Administration, Tonya relocated to the Savannah area from Oklahoma in 2021. She has worked in many settings as an ATC and is proud to be able to help others do what they love.

Auburn McCrary, LAT, ATC, MS

Auburn grew up in North Alabama. She ran cross country and track and field at Union College in Kentucky, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training and a master's in Healthcare Administration. While pursuing her master's degree, Auburn was an athletic trainer for Knox Central High School. Her favorite part of her job is being able to help athletes perform to the best of their ability, both mentally and physically. Auburn is currently the athletic trainer for Islands High School.

Nysa Forman, MS, ATC, LAT

Nysa received a bachelor's in Athletic Training from the University of La Verne in 2016, and a master's in Athletic Training from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. At the University of La Verne, she had a successful collegiate volleyball career. Nysa previously worked on the island of O'ahu, providing coverage at Sacred Hearts Academy and Punahou School. Currently, she is an athletic trainer at the Savannah College of Art and Design, where she works with the Women's Lacrosse, Equestrian, Cross County, and Track and Field teams. Nysa's favorite part of athletic training is being able to care for an athlete from the beginning of their injury to when they are back playing the sport they love.

Doug Mackay, M.Ed, ATC, EMT-1

Doug earned his Bachelor of Education degree from Ashland University, specializing in Health/Physical Education and Art, and earned his Master of Education in Special Education and Athletic Training from the University of Georgia. His career experience spans teaching, coaching, and athletic training in the public secondary school venue. He has been a part of the Olympic Medical Staff/Soccer Venue and a state championship football program. Additionally, he is an Air Force veteran flight medic and served as a certified volunteer firefighter, EMT, and deputy coroner for many years. Doug is currently the athletic trainer for Savannah High School.

Chelsea Shafer, LAT, BS

Chelsea graduated from Barry University in Miami, Florida, with a Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in Athletic Training. She is board certified and is also licensed in the state of Georgia. After graduation, she worked as an athletic trainer at ESPN Wide World of Sports. For the past four years, Chelsea has been the secondary school athletic trainer for Bethesda Academy.

Maryfaye Payne, LAT, ATC

Maryfaye was raised in Hogansville, Georgia. She graduated from Georgia Southern University in 2022 with a bachelor's degree in Exercise Science with a concentration in Athletic Training. She is a board-certified Athletic Trainer and is licensed in the state of Georgia. Maryfaye joined Chatham Orthopaedic Associates in July of 2022 and is currently the Athletic Trainer for Groves High School.

Alison Pratt, MS, LAT, ATC

Alison (Ali) was born and raised in Johnson City, Tennessee. She received her bachelor's degree in Athletic Training from Liberty University in 2020. Following her time at Liberty, Ali was the Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer for football and track and field at East Tennessee State University (ETSU). While at ETSU, she earned her master's degree in Sport Management. Ali is the Athletic Trainer at New Hampstead High School and is excited to help her athletes stay healthy while playing the sports they love.