Athens, Ga. (July 7, 2025) – At Piedmont Orthopedics, healing is more than a procedure—it’s a promise. That promise is embodied by Jonathan H. Payne, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon whose journey from military service to medical innovation reflects his core values of excellence, compassion, service, and integrity.
Dr. Payne’s path to medicine was shaped by a deeply personal experience—his father’s open-heart surgery during his high school years. This pivotal moment sparked an early interest in cardiothoracic surgery. However, his professional focus evolved during a transformative clinical rotation at Fort Gordon in 2010–2011, at the height of the military surge in Iraq.
While treating soldiers with severe injuries from improvised explosive devices (IEDs), Dr. Payne witnessed firsthand the resilience of the human spirit. He cared for patients with devastating limb trauma and watched them progress from immobility to walking again. The experience left a lasting impression and redefined his purpose in medicine.
“Watching those soldiers overcome devastating injuries and walk again was nothing short of inspiring,” Dr. Payne shared. “It opened my eyes to the transformative power of orthopedic surgery, not just in healing bodies, but in restoring lives. That experience didn’t just influence my career choice—it gave it purpose.”
After completing college in 2008 and entering medical school with support from the U.S. Army. His military service included deployments with the 5th Special Forces Group in Southwest Asia and Operation Inherent Resolve. Dr. Payne eventually transitioned from the military to Piedmont Orthopedics, drawn by the opportunity to return closer to his hometown of Loganville, Georgia.
At Piedmont, Dr. Payne found more than a workplace—he found a community. “It’s like a big family,” he said of the Athens location. “You see people you work with at the grocery store, and you really get to know your patients.” This sense of connection is central to Piedmont’s mission to make a positive difference in every life we touch.
Dr. Payne’s patient stories reflect that mission. One patient, once wheelchair-bound and reliant on oxygen, returned a year after bilateral hip replacements, walking unaided and breathing freely. Another patient, known for bringing “friendship bread” to the clinic, left a lasting legacy even after his passing from cancer. These stories underscore Piedmont's commitment to patient-centered care—treating not just conditions, but people.
Innovation is also a cornerstone of Piedmont’s vision, and Dr. Payne is leading the way. He now uses a robotic system called ROSA (Robotic Surgical Assistant) for knee replacements, which enhances surgical precision and reduces complication rates by up to 30%. Unlike traditional methods, ROSA allows for patient-specific customization based on individual anatomy.
Looking ahead, Dr. Payne sees artificial intelligence (AI) as the next transformative force in medicine. While not yet fully integrated into his practice, he anticipates AI will soon assist with faster diagnoses, more accurate imaging interpretations, and even more personalized treatment plans. Payne also highlighted emerging technologies like smart implants—joint replacements embedded with sensors that provide real-time data to both patients and surgeons. Though potentially controversial, these innovations promise to enhance recovery monitoring and feed valuable data into AI systems.
“For AI, it all boils down to data,” Dr. Payne said. “The more data you can get, the better the artificial intelligence will be.”
Whether on the battlefield or in the operating room, Dr. Payne brings that same sense of purpose and dedication to his orthopedic practice, committed to helping patients regain mobility, independence, and quality of life. His work exemplifies Piedmont’s commitment to delivering high-quality, compassionate care that meets the evolving needs of the communities we serve.