Dr. Cates spent his entire childhood in Collierville, Tennessee, a suburb of Memphis. He attended Truman State University on full athletic scholarship where he was named Academic All American and All Conference performer as a defensive end on the varsity football team. After graduation, he attended medical school at the University of Tennessee where he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha national medical honor society. Upon completion of medical school, Dr. Cates continued his orthopaedic training at Atlanta Medical Center. While a resident, Dr. Cates won the “Thomas E. Whitesides” research award for the best paper among Georgia residents.

Following successful completion of residency, Dr. Cates continued his training at the Atlanta Sports Medicine and Cartilage Reconstruction fellowship under the mentorship of Scott D. Gillogly. This year of advanced training focused on cutting edge arthroscopic techniques, cartilage reconstruction, and less invasive surgery. Furthermore, Dr. Cates acted as an associate team physician to the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta Thrashers, gaining valuable experience in the care of elite athletes.

Dr. Cates subscribes to a personal philosophy based on an individualized approach to patient care. Taking time to listen to patients and understanding their complaints is at the heart of this method. Dr. Cates’s focus is directed at resolving patient’s problems using the least invasive methods available.

Dr. Cates and his wife, Baylee, have two children and live in Carrollton.

Medical School

University of Tennessee – Memphis, Tennessee

Internship & Residency

Atlanta Medical Center – Atlanta, Georgia

Fellowship

Fellowship-Sports Medicine – Atlanta Sports Medicine & Orthopaedics – Atlanta, Georgia

Board Certifications

American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

Affiliations

American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine

Arthroscopic Association of North America

Alpha Omega Alpha

Special Procedures & Techniques

Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine General Orthopedics