Wellstar Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

Joseph Burns, MD is the Chief Musculoskeletal Officer at Wellstar, overseeing orthopedic surgery, pediatric orthopedic surgery, sports medicine, orthopedic trauma, hand surgery and podiatry. In addition, he is a practicing, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon who specializes in shoulder surgery and sports medicine. Prior to coming to Wellstar, Dr Burns was a leader at the prestigious Southern California Orthopedic Institute in Los Angeles, where he trained over 60 fellows and partnered with UCLA to provide world-class orthopedic care and research. Currently, he is on faculty with the Wellstar Kennestone Orthopedic Residency. He has been selected as a Master Arthroscopic Surgeon and a Top Doc in his region every year since 2010.

Dr Burns provides comprehensive surgical care, including but not limited to arthroscopic rotator cuff tendon repair, labral repair, shoulder replacement, “reverse” shoulder replacement, shoulder fracture care.

As a former athlete turned orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Burns uses his skills to help people with injuries or degenerative conditions live a healthy, active life.

In his practice, Dr. Burns’ professional mission is to provide a respectful, personalized and expert healthcare experience for each and every person. That means he works with patients to find the best treatment options for their orthopedic needs, whether it requires surgery or not.

Dr. Burns is a dedicated health partner on his patients’ journey to wellness, from injury to surgery and all the way through recovery. Through his work, he helps patients regain mobility, overcome pain and get back to enjoying life.

Melissa Martinez, DO is an orthopedic surgeon with Wellstar Orthopedics & Sports Medicine. She received her fellowship training in orthopedic sports medicine at the University of Massachusetts.  Dr. Martinez specializes in orthopedic sports medicine and has a specific interest in shoulder and knee injuries. 

Dr. Martinez received her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Degree from Michigan State University and competed her residency, where she served as chief resident, at Henry Ford Macomb Hospital in Clinton Township, MI.

Dr. Martinez previously served as team physician for the Boston Red Sox minor league affiliate team and the Worcester Red Sox. She also served as the team physician for Worcester State University as well as other local colleges and high schools in the Worcester area. She served as an associate professor at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine from 2018-2022.
With seventeen published articles, Dr. Martinez is a member of several organizations including the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics and the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.

Eric Kiskaddon, MD is an orthopedic surgeon with Wellstar Orthopedics & Sports Medicine. Dr. Kiskaddon treats patients with both routine and complex hip and knee problems. He performs direct anterior approach and posterior approach total hip replacement, total knee replacement, partial knee replacement, and revision hip and knee replacement. In addition, he manages fractures around prior joint replacements as well as infected hip and knee replacements. 

Dr. Kiskaddon received his doctor of medicine degree at the University of Louisville, where he was named to the Gold Humanism Honor Society. He completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Wright State University in Dayton, OH, serving as administrative chief resident and was named an emerging leader by the American Orthopedic Association. Following residency, he completed a fellowship in adult reconstruction at The Ohio State University. 

Having participated in research throughout his training, Dr. Kiskaddon has presented at both regional and national meetings. Further, he has numerous publications in leading orthopedic journals including The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, and The Journal of Arthroplasty. He is Board Certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, is a candidate member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, and candidate Member of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons. 

Dr. Kiskaddon enjoys partnering with his patients to establish care and treatment plans that are tailored to each patient’s unique needs and goals for their life.