Choosing Our Orthopedics Team
Our orthopedic physicians focus on each patient's individual needs and work together with a team of physical therapists, occupational therapists, orthotists and subspecialists to provide the best possible care.
Orthopedic surgeons
Sports Medicine team
Advance practice providers
Lauren Ball grew up in Bloomsburg, Penn. and moved to the Fort Worth area in spring 2022. She graduated from the University of Maryland in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, from the Pennsylvania College of Technology in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Physician Assistant Studies and a Master in Medical Science from Saint Francis University in 2022. She has been working as a physician assistant in orthopedics for nearly two years.
Lauren joined the hand team at Cook Children’s Orthopedics in February 2024 to work alongside Dr. Sherman and Aaron Perkins, PA-C. She assists with surgeries in the OR, as well as sees patients both in the outpatient and inpatient settings.
Lauren found her calling in orthopedics after growing up with an orthopedic surgeon father and being a Division I student-athlete on the University of Maryland Women’s Track and Field team, specializing in the heptathlon. Outside of work, Lauren remains very family-oriented, frequently catching up with her two sisters, nieces and nephews, as well as her younger twin brothers; she also enjoys working out, reading, watching sports, trying new foods (especially desserts) and skiing in the winter.
Alec Bove graduated from Texas A&M University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. He attended graduate school at Harding University where he obtained his Master's degree in Physician Assistant Studies in 2023.
Growing up, Alec played a number of sports including basketball, football, and track. His various orthopedic injuries in school led him to develop a deep interest in Pediatric Orthopedics. During his clinical rotations in PA school, he had the opportunity to participate in multiple Pediatric Orthopedic rotations where his knowledge and passion for the field continued to grow. He finds great value in being able to relate to his patients because of his own personal experience with injuries.
Alec sees patients in the inpatient setting, outpatient setting, and assists in the operating room primarily with Dr. Goldstein. He was born and raised in Plano, TX but moved to Fort Worth in 2024 to join the Cook Children's Orthopedic department. When Alec is not at work he enjoys trying Fort Worth's newest restaurant, golfing with friends, or going for a run. He has completed multiple marathons over the years and hopes to one day complete a full Ironman triathlon!
Alexandra Britt grew up in South Dakota where she attended undergrad at Dakota Wesleyan University and received her Master's in Physician Assistant studies from the University of South Dakota. She moved to Texas shortly after graduating from PA School. She worked in adult pain management for a couple years before coming to work in orthopedic surgery at Cook Children's in 2020. She works primarily with Dr. Mayfield and greatly enjoys helping children feel better.
When not at work, she likes spending time with her husband, friends, and dogs. She enjoys the outdoors, especially the warmth Texas has to offer, live music, and watching movies.
Charles (Chuck) Coppinger, PA-C
Brittne Craig received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Before joining Cook Children's Orthopedics, Brittne worked as a Registered Nurse in the Pediatric Emergency Department at Covenant Children's Hospital in Lubbock, Texas and in the Emergency Department at Baylor Scott & White in Grapevine, Texas. After working as a nurse for nearly 10 years, she decided to go back to school to obtain her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas at Arlington. Brittne is certified as an Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and is a member of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners.
Brittne works directly with Dr. W. Taylor Dodgen and provides clinical coverage at the Alliance and Dodson locations. Together, they specialize in complex child and adolescent hip conditions, cerebral palsy, myelodysplasia, clubfoot/foot deformities, and trauma/fracture care.
Brittne is a native Texan and grew up in the Grapevine area. She and her husband, Shelby, live in Fort Worth with their two daughters who are both active in cheerleading. In her free time, Brittne enjoys spending time with family and friends and attending/watching Texas Tech sporting events (Wreck 'em)!
Katy Diggs is an East Texas native. She graduated from Hendrix College in 1992 with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Biology.
She completed the Surgical Physician Assistant Program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham graduating in 1996 with a Bachelor's of Science degree.
She joined Children's Orthopedics of Atlanta Scottish Rite from 1998-2004.
In 2005, she joined the Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery Department at Cook Children's Hospital providing acute injury and fracture care to the greater Fort Worth area.Currently, she works primarily out of the Alliance location and works with Dr. Schuster.
In 2008, she completed a Master's Degree in Physician Assistant Studies specializing in Pediatric Orthopedics and Sports Medicine at the University of Nebraska College of Medicine.
Katy lives in Keller, TX and enjoys gardening and hiking. She has three children and loves watching them play soccer, baseball and football on weekends and evenings.
Torrie Edwards is a 2009 graduate of Baylor University with her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. She started off her nursing career as an inpatient nurse at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas on the Hematology/Oncology unit and eventually found her way to Children's Medical Center in Dallas where she worked in the Department of Orthopedics. This is where her interest in pediatric orthopedics began and in 2011 she began her studies to become a nurse practitioner at Georgetown University in Washington DC.
Torrie is a Fort Worth native and once she completed her nurse practitioner training, she headed back home to Fort Worth and began working in the department of Orthopedics at Cook Children's Medical Center in 2014.
She works directly with Dr. David Gray and sees patients at the Dodson and Southwest locations. She enjoys caring for pediatric patients and their families and watching them return to their activities.
In her free time, Torrie enjoys traveling and spending time with her dog – a very active Labrador retriever.
Jennifer Elkins is a Texas and DFW native that grew up in Mansfield, TX. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Sports Medicine from Samford University in Birmingham, AL in 2009 and graduated with a Master of Physician Assistant Studies in Fort Worth, TX in 2014. She has worked in Orthopedics for the past nine years. Jennifer joined the Cook Children’s Orthopedic Department in 2023 and she sees patients in the inpatient and outpatient setting, as well as assisting in surgery.
Jennifer live in North Richland Hills where she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children who keep her very busy. She enjoys running, the outdoors and reading. If you come to clinic with a book, she will probably ask you what you are reading!
Sarah Fisher graduated from the University of Kansas in 2006 with a BS in Human Biology. She started graduate school at UT Southwestern the day after college graduation and completed her Master's in Physician Assistant Studies in 2008.
She has worked as a physician assistant in orthopedics for nine years, with the majority of that time being in pediatric orthopedics. She also has several years of experience in pediatric emergency medicine.
Sarah has been a member of the Cook Children's Orthopedic Department since 2017 where she sees patients in the inpatient and outpatient setting as well as assisting in surgery. She works primarily with Dr. Kennedy and provides clinical coverage at the Hurst and Dodson locations.
She is from Lawrence, KS and moved to Texas in 2006 for graduate school where she met her husband. She has two little boys who bring lots of love, joy, and energy to her life!
Tate Hayes grew up in Sweetwater, TX and graduated from Texas A&M University in 2012 (Gig 'em!) with a Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences. He started PA school at the University of North Texas Health Science Center in 2013 completed his Master in Physician Assistant Studies in 2016.
Tate has worked as a physician assistant in orthopedics for 8 years, with experience in adult and pediatric orthopedics. He has been a member of the Cook Children's Orthopedic Department since 2024 where he sees patients in the inpatient and outpatient setting as well as assisting in surgery. He works primarily with Dr. Mollabashy and Dr. Gilbert and provides clinical coverage at the Southwest and Dodson locations.
Tate resides in the mid-cities area with his wife, Tiffany, and two kids, and in his spare time, he enjoys spending time with family/friends, playing golf or traveling.
Camille Leitch graduated from UT Southwestern in 2016 with a Master's degree in physician assistant studies.
She is a Fort Worth native who graduated from Southwest Christian School. She then attended Texas A&M University, receiving her undergraduate degree in biology in 2012. She returned back to Fort Worth to work at Cook Children's as an emergency department scribe prior to starting physician assistant training at UT Southwestern. During her tenure as an ED scribe, Camille suffered a torn ACL and three fractures while playing soccer, sparking her interest in orthopedics.
Camille joined the Cook Children's Orthopedic team in 2017, working directly with Dr. Ronald Burke. She primarily sees patients at the Walsh, Southwest, and Dodson locations. She enjoys helping children and teens return to the activities they love to participate in.
She and her husband, Jeremy - a geologist - reside in Fort Worth with their two dogs. In their free time, they love to golf, ski, and cycle.
Aaron Perkins grew up just outside of Waco in Robinson, Texas. She earned her Bachelor of Science from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, and graduated with her Masters of Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. She has worked as a physician assistant in Orthopedics for 6 years.
Aaron joined Cook Children's Orthopedics in 2023 and works with Dr. Sherman and the hand team, seeing patients in both the inpatient and outpatient settings, as well as assisting in the OR.
Outside of work, Aaron enjoys spending her free time with her husband and daughter. You can usually find them outside with their two dogs enjoying everything outdoors - running, exercise, hiking, fishing and sports.
Jeffrey Bass MS, ATC, LAT, OPE-C
Jeffrey joined the Cook Childrens Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Department in 2023. He received both his Bachelors and Masters degrees from Texas Tech University. Jeffrey is licensed and board certified as an athletic trainer as well certified as an Orthopedic Physician Extender. He has worked in multiple athletic training practice settings including, high school, college, professional sports as well as clinical orthopedics. He also works as a football medical observer in the Big 12 Conference.
Jeffrey has been a member of the National Athletic Trainers Association since 1977 where he has served in various committee positions. Specifically, his service work in District 6 of the NATA (Southwest Athletic Trainers Association) includes over 25 years in leadership, including serving as president of the SWATA during 1999-2000.
Currently, Jeffrey lives in Fort Worth with his wife. They have two grown daughters and in his free time enjoys spending time with his family that includes two grandchildren, cooking outside, playing and watching golf, and spending time working on DIY projects.
Micaela Lozano, DAT, LAT, ATC, ROT, OPE-C
Micaela Lozano started working with Cook Children's in 2024 as an athletic trainer in the Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Department. She has two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and Exercise Science from Marquette University in 2009. She then got her Master's degree in Athletic Training at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in 2011, before getting her Doctorate of Athletic Training at Indiana State University in 2021. Before coming to Cook Children's, Micaela worked at the D1 level, the secondary school level and in clinic settings in pediatrics as well as the general population for the last 12 years.
Micaela has been a member of the National Athletic Training Association since 2010. She is a registered orthopedic technologist as well as an ImPACT-trained athletic trainer and is a certified orthopedic physician extender.
Micaela lives in Coppell, Texas with her husband and two border collies. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, watching sports and reading.
Carolyn Snow MS, LAT, ATC, OTC
Carolyn started working with Cook Children's in 2022 as an athletic trainer in the Orthopedics and Sports Medicine department. She received her Bachelor of Science Athletic Training degree from Texas Christian University in 2010. She went on to receive her Master's degree from the University of North Texas in 2012 in Kinesiology where she was also the athletic trainer for their volleyball team. Prior to coming to Cook Children's, Carolyn has worked in orthopedic clinics with all age groups where she would assist in clinic and surgery.
Carolyn has been a member of the National Athletic Training Association since 2006. She is a Certified Orthopaedic Technologist as well as an ImPACT Trained Athletic Trainer. Carolyn has a passion for helping her community, especially keeping youth in the activities they love.
Carolyn lives in Weatherford, Texas with her husband and their children. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, watching sports and spending time with her family.
Aaren Stratton ATC, LAT, CES
Aaren started working with Cook Children's in 2023 as an Athletic Trainer in the Orthopedics and Sports Medicine department. She received her Bachelor of Science Athletic Training degree from University of Texas Arlington in 2011. Prior to coming to Cook Children’s, Aaren worked as a secondary school athletic trainer at Mansfield Lake Ridge High School for ten years.
Aaren has been a member of the National Athletic Training Association since 2008. She is a Corrective Exercise Specialist as well as an ImPACT Trained Athletic Trainer.
Aaren lives in Mansfield, Texas with her husband and their children. In her free time, she enjoys kickboxing, watching sports and spending time with her family.
Sarah Washington, MHA, LAT, ATC, CSCS, CES, PES
Sarah joined the Cook Children's Orthopedics and Sports Medicine department as an athletic trainer and a strength and conditioning specialist in 2024. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training from Angelo State University in 2009, and completed her Master of Science degree in Healthcare Administration from Grand Canyon University in 2023. Before coming to Cook Children's she worked in the secondary school setting for 11 years, most recently with Fort Worth ISD.
Sarah has been a member of the National Athletic Training Association since 2013, and is a member of the Southwest Athletic Trainers Association. Licensed and certified as an athletic trainer, she also holds the Corrective Exercise Specialist and Performance Enhancement Specialist credentials from the National Academy of Sports Medicine.
Sarah lives in Fort Worth with her husband, son and two dogs. In her free time, she enjoys reading, catching up with friends over coffee and trying out all the taco shops Fort Worth has to offer!
Frankie Kindy, MS, RD, LD
Frankie Kindy, MS, RD, LD started working with Cook Children's in 2023 as a Registered Dietitian in the Orthopedics and Sports Medicine department. She received her Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition, Master of Science in Human Nutrition, and completed her dietetic internship at the University of Alabama (Roll Tide!). Prior to coming to Cook Children's, Frankie worked as a Registered Dietitian and Personal Trainer at a commercial gym, providing fitness and nutrition guidance for teens and adults in all walks of life. She is currently studying to become a board-certified specialist in sports dietetics.
Frankie grew up participating in sports and loves teaching young athletes how to fuel their bodies to perform at their best and reduce their risk of injury. In addition, she is very passionate about promoting a good relationship with food that lasts a lifetime. Food is fuel and fun! In her free time, Frankie enjoys exercising, reading, eating yummy food, and spending time with her husband and two cats.
We're here to help.
If your child has been diagnosed, you probably have lots of questions. We can help. If you would like to schedule an appointment, refer a patient or speak to our staff, please call our offices at 682-885-4405.