Wellstar Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

Benjamin Zacks, MD, is a primary care sports medicine physician with Wellstar Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, specializing in non-operative care for sports and musculoskeletal injuries in both pediatric and adult patients. In addition to seeing patients in the clinic, he serves as a sports medicine primary care physician for Kennesaw State University athletics where you may also see him on the sidelines supporting student athletes.

Dr. Zacks earned his medical degree from Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, NC. He completed his residency in Pediatrics at the University of Colorado in Aurora, CO, where he provided sideline coverage for high school football, wrestling, soccer, and endurance events such as ultramarathons.

An Atlanta native, he then returned home to complete a Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship at Emory School of Medicine in Atlanta, GA. During his fellowship, he gained advanced training in diagnostic ultrasound and ultrasound-guided procedures. He also provided medical coverage for collegiate and professional teams, including Clark Atlanta University, Georgia Tech, the Atlanta Falcons, and the Atlanta Hawks.

Melissa Martinez, DO is a board certified 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 currently serves as a team physician for Division 1 Kennesaw State University. 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. Dr. Martinez is board certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery.

Jennifer Blanda, MD, is a fellowship trained orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist with Wellstar Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. Dr. Blanda focuses on the surgical and non-surgical management of knee, shoulder, hip and elbow injuries. Dr. Blanda has specialized training in the areas of advanced knee and shoulder arthroscopy including multi-ligament reconstructions, cartilage/meniscus restoration surgery, both open and arthroscopic elbow surgery including Tommy John/UCL reconstruction/repair, and hip arthroscopy. Additionally, Dr. Blanda has a particular interest in better understanding and treating both acute and overuse injuries unique to the female athlete.

Dr. Blanda provides innovative solutions to facilitate an athlete's optimal level of performance and function. She has experience treating all levels of competitors including high school, college and professional athletes. Dr. Blanda was raised a three-season athlete and she continues to apply her passion for fitness and nutrition to her practice. She is passionate about taking care of athletes of all levels, from the weekend warrior to the competitive athlete. Utilizing an empathetic approach, Dr. Blanda strives to provide individualized care to every single patient, with the ultimate goal of eliminating pain, optimizing function, and maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle.

Dr. Blanda received her undergraduate degree with a major in Biology and a minor in Chemistry at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC. She returned to the South after receiving her Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Toledo College of Medicine. She completed her orthopedic surgery residency at Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center, where she was a Chief Resident and began her sports medicine endeavors as a team doctor for the Atlanta Public School football teams and the Georgia Tech baseball team. Dr. Blanda then completed an orthopedic sports medicine fellowship at Cedars-Sinai/Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic, training under Dr. Neal ElAttrache. The fellowship is one of the oldest sports medicine training programs in the country and developed the revolutionary Tommy John elbow surgery. While in Los Angeles, she was a team physician for the LA Rams NFL team, the Anaheim Ducks NHL team, the LA Galaxy including during their 2024 MLS Cup Championship season, and the LA Dodgers including during their 2024 World Series Championship season. Additionally, Dr. Blanda served as a team physician for Pepperdine University as well as numerous community colleges and high schools in the greater Los Angeles area. Dr. Blanda is currently a team physician for the Fellowship Christian School in Roswell, GA.