Dr. Ched Garten completed a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Tennessee with a major in biology and a minor in biochemistry in 1997. He graduated summa cum laude and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. His education continued at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine where he graduated in 2001. Upon graduation from medical school, Dr. Garten completed a family medicine residency at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and North Carolina Baptist Hospital. During his time in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Dr. Garten served as team physician for minor league hockey and baseball teams as well as numerous other high school and collegiate events. He served as Chief Resident during his final year and was named the Family Medicine Resident Clinical Teacher of the Year 2003-2004. Dr. Ched Garten continued his sub-specialization training as a primary care sports medicine fellow in Birmingham, Alabama, at the American Sports Medicine Institute under the direction of James R. Andrews M.D., Tracy R. Ray M.D., and Lawrence J. Lemak, M.D. As a fellow, he trained in the care of athletes ranging from youth to world-class professionals.  Upon completion of his fellowship in 2005, Dr. Garten was inducted as a member of the American Sports Medicine Institute Fellowship Society.