Emory Sports Medicine is proud to support CCPS Athletics as the official medical provider for all 10 Clayton County High Schools. Through this partnership, an Emory-certified athletic trainer works with the CCPS Athletics program on a daily basis to provide specialized orthopedic and sports medicine needs. Certified athletic trainers are healthcare professionals who specialize in the prevention, evaluation, treatment, rehabilitation, and return to play progression for athletic injuries.
Meet Our Trainers
Jendayi Watkins earned her Bachelor’s in Athletic Training from Trinity International University in 2019. I am licensed and certified as an Athletic Trainer in Georgia. For four years, she was a collegiate Women’s Basketball player earning MVP, All-Academic, and All-Region team awards. She obtained a Master of Science in Nursing in 2020 from Augusta University. She has served as a critical care nurse in the Medical Intensive Care Unit at Emory University Hospital Midtown for two years. From 2019-2023, she served as a resource Athletic Trainer for Source Fitness management working with schools in Gwinnett County and the Gwinnett County Stripers. Working as the Athletic Trainer at Newton High School from 2022-2023, Jendayi created and designed a sports medicine program. She implemented rehabilitation programs, started a student Athletic Training Aide program, and completely redesigned the Athletic Training room. Jendayi created a space for student-athletes at Newton High School to feel welcome and heard in her Athletic Training room. Jendayi is enrolled at Augusta University for her Doctorate in Nursing Practice to become an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. Jendayi loves reading books, exercising, traveling, watching sports, and trying new foods with her husband in her off time. I look forward to continuing to serve at Mundy’s Mill High School.
Hello, my name is Derykah Yates. I am the athletic trainer at Jonesboro High School. I received my bachelor’s degree in athletic training from Valdosta State University in 2020 and my master’s degree in healthcare administration from the University of Arizona in 2022. I am also a certified CPR instructor. I have experience in several settings including clinical, industrial, secondary sports, & collegiate sports. In my spare time, I enjoy baking, watching movies, and doing puzzles.
My name is Melvin Ezeokonkwo and I am the Head Athletic Trainer at Riverdale High School. I am currently a licensed Athletic Trainer and Certified Strength and Conditionings coach through the NSCA. I am a proud alumnus of Riverdale High School and it’s an honor and privilege to be able to give back to the community I was once a part of. After graduating from Riverdale High School in 2013 I went on to obtain my bachelors in Health and Fitness Management with a minor in Business from Clayton State University. Once completing my bachelors, I attended Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville Ga where I obtained my masters in Athletic Training. I have experience working in professional team sports, college, outpatient / inpatient care, and high school settings. In my spare time I enjoy traveling the world, training in the gym, and playing the drums at my church! I look forward to being the best Athletic Trainer and making an impact while at Riverdale High School.
Bry Edwards is the Athletic Trainer for Charles Drew High School. They obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Georgia State University in 2014 and a Master’s degree in Athletic Training from University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 2021. They have experience in semi-professional, college, high school, and performing arts settings. In their spare time, they enjoy playing soccer, reading, creating music, and hanging out with family and friends.
Jordan Stuckey, known as “Stuckey” by her athletes and peers, earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Health and Human Performance from Albany State University. She later earned a Master’s in Athletic Training at Life University. Stuckey started her career with a semi-pro football league as part of an all-female AT staff. Her experience also spans a variety of sports across both college and high school settings. In addition to being a Certified Athletic Trainer, Stuckey has coached girls Volleyball and Women’s and Men’s Volleyball at the Collegiate level. I believe learning never stops, and in my free time I enjoy cooking and traveling. I was born and raised in Clayton County, and I love that I am able to work and create a full circle moment.
My name is Mia Gipson and I’m a Certified and Licensed Athletic Trainer. I have more than a decade of experience in a secondary setting and I’m currently the Athletic Trainer at North Clayton High School. I graduated from North Clayton, so it means a lot to me to be able to come back to this school and support these athletes. I studied Sports Medicine at Valdosta State University. While I absolutely love high school athletics, I also have experience working at a college level, as well as clinically! In my spare time, I love to eat, make a difference in my community, and I also love photography! My goal is to do the best I can to serve the athletes in this district!
Luana is a graduated Athletic Trainer from the University of Miami. Throughout her college career, Luana was involved with the Athletic Training Honors Society Iota Tau Alpha as well as the Hurricanes Athletic Training Students organization on campus. She experienced working with D1 athletics, and had the honor to participate in both the 2018 Pinstripe and the 2019 Independence Bowl games along with the 2019 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. Additionally, she worked with UM’s Lennar Foundation Medical Center and Florida Christian High School as her clinical sites. Luana had a summer internship with a physical therapist at Holy Cross Hospital in the acute rehabilitation area.
Luana is originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She grew up playing many different sports such as volleyball, gymnastics, bodyboarding, and capoeira. Her athletic interests also translated into the artistic side, she took ballet and aerial acrobatics silk classes for many years. When she moved to the U.S, she got into running and joined cross country and track teams during high school. The passion for the science behind human movement as well as her deep calling to help others drives her to be a devoted Athletic Trainer.
