Julie Colatoni Woodside graduated from Oglethorpe University in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology. She then went on to the Medical College of Georgia, graduating in 2009 after being inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. Julie completed Orthopedic Surgery training at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, followed by a one year fellowship in hand surgery at Loyola University in Chicago. She moved back to Charlotte to join OrthoCarolina as a hand surgeon in 2015.
Oglethorpe University provided Woodside with not only a “fantastic education,” she says, but also an “unmatched college experience including basketball, sorority, and lifetime friends.” Her four years as a basketball player helped to shape her work ethic, determination, and strength of character that she has relied upon throughout the years to follow. She mentions it was filled with huge ups and down, wins and losses, injuries and times of great success. Julie remembers striving week after week to make her timed mile, early morning practices, watching films at lunchtime, and action-packed weekend trips for games. Woodside used to sit on 9 hour bus rides, trying to catch up on homework and studying, telling stories with her teammates, and watching movie after movie, trying to pass the time. She adds that her teammates and coaches taught her all the lessons of teamwork, drawing on inner strength, and learning how to push herself to achieve her goals. These things have helped Julie every step of the way to achieve each milestone and goal that she has set out.
As a hand surgeon, she has found great joy in all aspects of surgery, but especially in congenital hand surgery, helping babies born with hand deformities. She has published multiple articles on techniques in hand surgery as well as clinical papers and research review articles. Julie has attended national and international meetings and currently sit on the volunteer committee for the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.
Julie and Bryson recently moved back to Charlotte, which is now their permanent home, after spending a year for training in Chicago. They enjoy all
outdoor activities, and love to travel both in the US and internationally.
