
Highlights
About Cleo Dennis Stafford II
Emory Affiliation
Emory Healthcare Network
Emory Physician Group Practice
Emory Clinic - School of Medicine Faculty
Academic Title
Assistant Professor
Year Started Practicing
2017
About the Provider
Cleo Stafford, MD, is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation with a subspecialty certification in Sports Medicine and one of the few physicians in the state of Georgia that is a Registered Musculoskeletal Sonographer. As a former baseball player, his passion for sports is longstanding and has continued throughout his medical training.
Dr. Stafford graduated from Howard University College of Medicine and went on to complete his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Emory University, where he also served as chief resident. He then completed his sports medicine fellowship at the American Sports Medicine Institute/Andrews Sports Medicine Center in Birmingham, Al. During his fellowship, he was an assistant team physician for Troy University athletics, Birmingham Barons and Oak Grove High School. Dr. Stafford also provided medical coverage for the SEC Baseball tournament, AAC Track Championships, NCAA Wrestling Championships and the Mercedes Marathon.
Dr. Stafford utilizes a comprehensive and patient specific approach in the management of sports related injuries and orthopaedic disorders that best restores function. He specializes in sport related concussions, acute/chronic soft tissue and joint disorders, Orthobiologics, minimally invasive procedures and diagnostic/interventional musculoskeletal ultrasound.
When not practicing medicine, Dr. Stafford enjoys playing softball, attending live music events and spending time with his family.
Interpretive Services
Video
Locations
- Emory at Miller Grove
- 2745 Dekalb Medical Parkway, Lithonia, GA 30058
- Get Directions
- phone: 404-778-3350
- Emory Orthopaedics & Spine Center - Smyrna
- 3903 South Cobb Drive Southeast, Ste 275, Smyrna, GA 30080
- Get Directions
- phone: 404-778-3350
Expertise
Education
- Fellowship: St. Vincent's East/American Sports Medicine Institute, Sports Medicine, 2017
- Residency: Emory University School of Medicine, Physical Medicine & Rehab, 2016
- Internship: Howard University Hospital, Internal Medicine, 2013
- Medical Education: Howard University College of Medicine, MD, 2012
- Professional Education: Florida A&M University, MS, 2008
Ratings & Reviews
4.8 out of 5
331 ratingsThe Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related questions shown below from our survey. Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys, and the volume of responses will vary by question.
- 3 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/28/2026
He said the same he's said before- strength. I can't help but believe if I were an athlete more effort would be made to help me improve my stability.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/14/2026
He explained several different options.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/13/2026
Dr. Stanford shows that he is concerned about his patients.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/12/2026
Dr. Stafford, Was very professional, had a great bedside manner and nice! He explained everything in simple terms, and answered all of my questions
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/26/2026
Dr. Stafford is amazing! Fantastic doctor...keep him around too!
- 4 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/18/2026
Very good
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/18/2026
Excellent
- 3 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/17/2026
No real communication of procedure, although I am familiar with it from a shoulder injury, first time injecting in my hand. A totally different experience. No real discussion on procedure, what to look for or recover. Mentioned only to call the PA if I needed follow up
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/4/2026
Very GOOD
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/2/2026
Excellent
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/29/2026
Listen and advised me accordingly. Always good to feel heard.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/28/2026
The Doctor was very knowledgeable and caring about my situation
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/24/2026
This was good experience
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/21/2026
I will definitely recommend Dr. Stafford to anyone that needs his care.
- 3 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/18/2026
Dr. Stafford was well mannered but he was dressed extremely casual, he had a jogging suit or something similar. I find that very disrespectful. Also he did not look the whole MRI disk that I brought. He skipped the most Important part of the disk which It deals with the area that I am In pain, my shoulder. Then, he tells me that he will send me to a Spine Specialist, but when I explain further my issue, he said that after I do the exercises at home he prescribed, depending how I feel he would order an MRI and give me an injection. Very confusing. He did not talk to me about the results of the XRAYS taken that day.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/31/2025
Care provider discussed possible side effects of treatment and was very kind and reassuring.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/1/2025
Dr Stafford is excellent and very informative.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/17/2025
Good
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/16/2025
Very knowledgeable about my problem
- 3 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/8/2025
Since he is an orthopedic doctor I tried to tell him about other pains I was experiencing but he only wanted to know about my shoulder, I had expressed these other issues with my primary doctor and wasn't sure if this was something he could also check but it wasn't.
- 4 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/4/2025
Good
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/17/2025
Good experience...
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/3/2025
Very good and reliable
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/1/2025
As a healthcare provider, I sometimes still have mistrust in the system because I often feel that I am not being listened to. There were moments when I wanted to cancel my appointment and just endure the pain, but I truly needed answers. I'm very glad that I went through with my visit, as I felt heard and cared for from the moment I entered the practice until I checked out.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/27/2025
Doctor Stafford is very caring also professional.Would certainly recommend for other patients!!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/2/2025
Excellent Dr
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/29/2025
I was very pleased and impressed with Dr Stafford.He did a great job explaining everything. I highly recommend him
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/21/2025
Very Pleased with care
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/17/2025
I was apprehensive when I arrived, but once the conversations started I relaxed
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/30/2025
Doctor Stafford is an excellent physician
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/19/2025
Both physicians engages in meaningful dialogue. Very important.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/17/2025
Very good experience with Dr Stafford
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/9/2025
Doctor Stafford is an excellent physician!!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/3/2025
Good
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/2/2025
Very good
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/19/2025
Dr. Stafford gave me information to all 3 procedures I had options for.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/2/2025
There was feeling of being rushed, my questions were answered with empathy and thoroughly. Dr. Stafford was very knowledgeable
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/26/2025
Excellent care , answered all my questions
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/20/2025
Dr. Stafford is an excellent doctor.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/31/2025
Dr Stafford was wonderful.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/22/2025
Dr. Stafford is very professional, knowledgeable, and caring physician. My experience with him was very good.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/20/2025
He used high level language I didn't quite understand but used the context to figure it out
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/15/2025
Dr Clifford is an excellent doctor who listened to my concerns.
- 4 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/9/2025
Dr. Stafford was good.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/25/2024
Great manners and very professional.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/13/2024
De. Stanford offers more than one treatment plan so I can make a choice on what I wanted.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/12/2024
Friendly and helpful
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/27/2024
Good
- 4 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/21/2024
Able to have open discussion with provider .
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/8/2024
Doctor Stafford is an excellent doctor he explained my treatment with me seems to care
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/23/2024
Dr. Stafford provide excellent care, addressed my concerns, and suggested follow up treatment and physical therapy.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/16/2024
Good
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/16/2024
Dr.Stafford actually took the time to assess my complaints physically and verbally! He's the first to addresss my aches and bone issue as others have brushed me off! He's amazing!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/26/2024
The physician was very kind, informative and set me up on a path and recovery.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/11/2024
All the medical team I came in contact with were very professional and yet pleasant!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/5/2024
Dr stafford was very kind and considerate . He was on time and the facility was immaculate
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/4/2024
Provider very good, showed concern and answered any question I had.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/21/2024
excellence.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/11/2024
Dr Cleo Stafford is academically astute and has an excellent bedside manner. I could not have been in better hands.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/10/2024
Dr.Stafford was attentive, made sure to answer my questions and also made good eye contact.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/27/2024
I was told what would be done but when I asked why injections weren't going to be done as my surgeon in Texas does, the doctor explained his concern about not treating the underlying issue
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/26/2024
Dr. Stafford was very attentive as he listened to my concerns.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/16/2024
Dr Stafford was wonderful. He was pleasant and informative. He listened to my concerns and explained his findings extremely well.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/8/2024
PA Cantrell was very nice and gave me advice that worked
