William “Butch” Mulherin, MD, founder of Athens (Ga.) Orthopedic Clinic, died March 18, Athens CEO reported. He was 90 years old, according to a Facebook post from Bernstein Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
Dr. Mulherin founded Athens Orthopedic in 1996 with two exam rooms, the March 27 report said. Since then, the practice grew to 78 total providers. The practice’s ASC is named the William B. Mulherin Surgery Center in his honor.
Dr. Mulherin is an alumnus of the University of Georgia in Athens, and he was one of the first full-time orthopedic surgeons to work with its athletic programs. He was an offensive and defensive end for the Bulldogs from 1953 to 1955. In 2017, he received the Hartman Award, which honors “demonstrated excellence” in the careers of former varsity athlete baccalaureate graduates of the University of Georgia.
“Dr. Mulherin’s time as a student-athlete ultimately shaped the path he took in medicine,” Mike Boblitz, CEO of Athens Orthopedic Clinic, said. “It’s evident his commitment to excellence on and off the field served as a guiding principle for his life and leaves an indelible mark on the team members carrying the torch at AOC today.”
