Samuel H. Payne III, MD

Samuel H. Payne III, MD is a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon with specialized fellowship training in Surgery of the Upper Extremity. He treats the full spectrum of upper extremity ailments, including fractures, arthritis, nerve compression or injury, ligament and tendon problems, joint stiffness and contracture, vascular conditions, and many more. With his background in Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, he is especially well-suited to managing complex reconstructive problems of the upper extremity resulting from trauma, burns, scarring, or prior surgery. As the only dual-trained Plastic and Hand Surgeon at Georgia Hand, Shoulder & Elbow, he provides a unique service and perspective for the entire group. Dr. Payne welcomes patients at both the Atlanta and Marietta locations.

Dr. Payne has a particular interest in the treatment of nerve conditions, ranging from common nerve compression pathologies like carpal and cubital tunnel syndrome to complex peripheral nerve injuries and brachial plexus pathology. He is also an expert in the management of nerve pain after amputation (upper and lower extremity), offering cutting-edge surgical techniques like Targeted Muscle Reinnervation (TMR) and Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interfaces (RPNI) to minimize chronic pain, phantom limb pain, and optimize prosthetic use. 

Dr. Payne proudly serves as the Medical Director of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery at The Shepherd Center, a world-renowned hospital and rehabilitation center for people with brain and spinal cord injuries. Dr. Payne’s unique training in both plastic and hand surgery allows him to help these patients in numerous ways, from reconstruction of difficult wounds to limb-optimizing surgeries for those with spinal cord injury, stroke, brachial plexus injury, and traumatic brain injury. Dr. Payne is passionate about helping these patients with devastating injuries regain their function and independence.

Dr. Payne’s certifications and training include:

• MD: The Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University
• Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Residency: Emory University, Atlanta, GA
• Fellowship in Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery: Philadelphia Hand to Shoulder Center
• Board Certification: American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS)

Dr. Payne has achieved professional recognition, including:

• Several peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters in the Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery literature
• Numerous presentations at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the Southeastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (SESPRS)
• Membership in multiple honor societies, including Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) and the Gold Humanism Society

Dr. Payne also has a special interest in global health outreach, having participated in the Global Health Residency Scholars Program, which included a month-long medical mission to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he provided surgical care and helped train local providers. Beyond his clinical practice, he is a candidate member of several professional organizations, including the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, and the American Association for Hand Surgery. In his free time, Dr. Payne enjoys spending time with his family, fly fishing, snow skiing, hiking, and traveling.