What is Primary Care Sports Medicine?

An internal medicine doctor with sports medicine training may be your ideal partner for optimal health.

Are you an active adult who loves walking, running, cycling or playing competitive sports? Do you want to make sure you can continue? Are you concerned about old (or new!) injuries that might limit your active lifestyle? Are you inactive but want to safely start exercising to improve your health and wellness? An internal medicine doctor with sports medicine training may be your ideal partner for optimal health.

Dr. Brian Brewer is a primary care physician with an extensive background in sports medicine. A walk-on member of the UGA Football team, he earned his medical degree from the Augusta University/University of Georgia Medical Partnership in Athens and completed his internal medicine residency with AU/UGA Medical Partnership’s Internal Medicine Residency Program at St. Mary’s. We asked him about the process of becoming a sports medicine doctor.

What kind of training is required?

Typically, you go into the sports medicine specialty after completing medical school and then a three-year residency in a Primary Care field or Emergency Medicine. After residency, a 1-year fellowship specializing in non-operative sports medicine helped me gain the knowledge and skills necessary to treat sport-related injuries and conditions.

What does a sports medicine fellowship look like?

During your fellowship year, you see a diverse range of patients. You see patients with new muscle and bone injuries as well as long term conditions like tendinitis and osteoarthritis. You also cover local sports teams, typically college and high school. You practice alongside experienced attending physicians and learn the full scope of sports medicine care, from injury prevention to evaluation and diagnosis to chronic condition management.

Where did you do your training?

After completing my residency at St. Mary’s, I did my one-year fellowship at the University of Kentucky. There, I trained in the Department of Orthopedics where I learned various aspects of sports medicine such as fracture care not requiring surgery, imaging interpretation, bracing techniques, physical therapy prescriptions, concussion management, and injections both by anatomical landmarks and ultrasound technology. Furthermore, I gained experience by providing medical coverage at the University of Kentucky Athletics as well as Eastern Kentucky University Athletics.

Why did you choose sports medicine?

I believe in the importance of physical activity for the body, mind, and spirit. I enjoy having the skills to keep people doing what they want to do longer and more efficiently. I have a background in college athletics as a former walk-on for UGA football and saw firsthand the benefits of a strong sports medicine staff.

Who can benefit?

Primary care sports medicine is not limited to athletes! Anyone with new or preexisting bone, joint, muscle, or tendon issues can benefit from care. Non-surgical care plans will be discussed and arranged, and If surgery is necessary, appropriate referrals to orthopedic surgeons can be made.

How can I get started?

St. Mary’s Medical Group now includes two primary care physicians with sports medicine credentials. Both are accepting new patients. Call today or schedule your initial appointment yourself using MyChart!

Brian Brewer, MD

Internal Medicine

Dr. Brian Brewer, St. Mary’s Internal Medicine Associates


2470 Daniells Bridge Road, Bldg. 200, Suite 271, Athens, Ga.


(706) 769-3362