Keeping Wildcats Healthy, Safe & On the Field
Sports Medicine
Behind every Wildcat is a sports medicine team dedicated to keeping our athletes healthy and competing at their best. From injury prevention and game-day coverage to diagnosis, treatment, and return-to-play, our physicians and athletic trainers are with the program every step of the way.
Team Physicians
The Doctors on the Sideline
David N. Palmer, MD
Team Physician
David Palmer, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with specialty training in sports medicine. Dr. Palmer received his medical degree and completed his internship at the University of Florida in Gainesville. He followed his internship with a medical residency at the University of Missouri in Kansas City. After completing his residency, he pursued additional training at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond.
Specializing in treating athletes and athletic conditions, Dr. Palmer found his passion for sports medicine while playing linebacker for the Florida State Seminoles. Observing and interacting with the team’s trainers gave him the desire to pursue a career in orthopedic medicine.
Dr. Palmer has been in practice with Optim Orthopedics for 28 years, seeing patients in Savannah and the surrounding areas. He has proudly served as the team orthopedic surgeon for Richmond Hill High School for 11 years.
Steven A. Greer, MD
Team Physician
A native of Savannah, Dr. Steven Greer is a board-certified sports medicine physician. He received his undergraduate degree in neuroscience from the University of Delaware, and his medical degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine. Dr. Greer completed his residency in Family Medicine and his fellowship in Sports Medicine at Moses Cone Health in Greensboro, NC. Dr. Greer spent 20 years studying, practicing, and teaching medicine in five countries and multiple states before returning home to Savannah in 2022.
Dr. Greer sees patients at the St. Joseph’s/Candler Pooler and Candler locations, offering a number of services including diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal conditions, athletic injuries, and non-surgical fracture care.
Athletic Training & Support
Day In, Day Out
Joseph “Joe” Martell, ATC
Lead Athletic Trainer
Joe is entering his 5th year with the Wildcats. A native of Savannah, Joe attended Berry College for his bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science, then went on to receive his master’s in Athletic Training from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where he gained experience with both collegiate and high school sports. He is an athletic trainer for St. Joseph’s/Candler Hospital. He and his wife, Erin, have a cat, Piper, and a dog, Hazel.
Lyle Myers, PA
Physician Assistant
Lyle Myers is a Physician Assistant with Optim Orthopedics. A graduate of Georgia Southern University with a degree in Athletic Training and South University with a degree in Physician Assistant Studies, he has dedicated his entire career to orthopedic sports medicine and has provided sports medicine coverage for local high school athletics for 35 years, including 11 years serving the Wildcats. Away from the sidelines, Lyle enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends.
NaKia Rene’ Jones, ATC
Associate Athletic Trainer
NaKia is entering her 1st year with the Richmond Hill Wildcats. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Movement Science from Delaware State University, where she was a Division I middle blocker for the women’s volleyball team, before completing her Master of Science in Athletic Training at the University of North Florida. NaKia has five years of experience providing athletic training at the high school level in Florida and Georgia and is an athletic trainer with St. Joseph’s/Candler Sports Medicine. She is passionate about injury prevention, evidence-based rehabilitation, and helping student-athletes safely return to play. Outside of athletics, she enjoys traveling, spending time with her husband, who is a high school teacher and coach, and cheering on her stepson at his football and track events.
Athlete Health Comes First
Our sports medicine team partners with coaches, parents, and athletes to prevent injuries and get Wildcats safely back in the game.
