W. Alexander Huff, MD
Dr. Huff grew up in North Carolina and attended medical school at ECU School of Medicine, graduating with highest honors. He completed his internship and a five-year orthopaedic surgical residency at Orlando Regional Medical Center in Orlando, FL. He then completed an additional fellowship year of training in arthroscopy and joint replacement at The Florida Knee Center in Clearwater, FL. In June of 1998 he opened his practice in Clinton, NC. Dr. Huff is married and has three children. Dr. Huff is board certified in both Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine. He is one of less than 2000 surgeons in the US that hold both certifications. Dr. Huff operates daily at Sampson Regional Medical Center with over 12,000 surgeries to date.
Education
Practice Commenced 07-20-1998
Huff Orthopaedics 520 Beaman Street Clinton,NC 28451
Fellowship August 1st, 1997 through July 17th, 1998
The Florida Knee and Orthopaedic Centers
Adult Reconstructive Surgery and Arthroscopy
Residency/Internship
Orlando Regional Medical Center
Residency in Orthopaedic Surgery
July 1st1992 Through June 30th, 1997
Medical School
East Carolina University School of Medicine
MD May 1992
Undergraduate School
David Lipscomb University
BS in Biology June 1987
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
Status: Board Certified July 13, 2000-December2020
Chicago, Illinois
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
Status: Sub Specialty in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
November 4th, 2010- December 31st, 2020
John B McElhinney PA-C
John McElhinney joined Huff Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine as a practicing Physician’s Assistant in January of 2018. John sees patients in clinic Monday thru Friday and shares hospital rounds / on call duties with the other Huff Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine providers. John has six years’ experience in general surgery practice and over 12 years’ experience in orthopaedics as well as first assist in all types of orthopaedic surgery. John received his Physician’s Assistant Certification from Saint Vincent’s Catholic Medical Center of New York’s Physician Assistant Program in June of 2000. John volunteered as a researcher in the Endocrinology Department at the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, Maryland in 1993 & 1994. John lives with his wife, two daughters and their French Bull Dog. John enjoys Hockey, Baseball, Cycling, Fishing and Kayaking.
Education
Physician’s Assistant Certification
Saint Vincent’s Catholic Medical Center of New York Physician’s Assistant Program Staten Island, New York – June of 2000
Bachelor of Arts
Mount Saint Mary’s College Emmitsburg, Maryland – 1987
Professional Affiliations
NACPA – National Academy of Physician Assistants
AAPA – American Academy of Physician Assistants
Daniel Hawkins PA-C
We are excited to welcome Daniel Hawkins PA-C to Huff Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine. Daniel joined Huff Orthopedics& Sports Medicine in July of 2021 as a practicing board certified Physician Assistant. Daniel sees patients in clinic Monday - Thursday 8:00am to 5:00pm and 8:00am to 12:00pm on Fridays and shares hospital rounds / on call duties with Dr. Huff. Daniel grew up in Sweetwater Tennessee. He graduated from Wesleyen college in Tennessee. He attended PA school at Lincoln Memorial University-Debusk College of Osteopathic Medicine in Harrogate Tennessee. He completed the PA program and has a master’s degree in physician assistant studies,
Daniel did his clinic rotations in Crystal River Florida. He has always had an interest in orthopedics and sports medicine. He began his career working as a physician assistant in an emergency room and later transitioned to pain management. He was recruited by Dr. Huff and took the opportunity to join Huff Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine. Daniel moved to Clinton in July 2021. He is a board-certified physician assistant, licensed through the North Carolina medical board. He is enjoying our community here in Clinton and is thrilled to be a team member here at Huff Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine. He enjoys traveling, hiking and playing his saxophone.
Education
Tennessee Wesleyan College Athens Tennessee Bachelor of Science Majored in Biology Minored in Chemistry, Graduated 2012.
Lincoln Memorial University - Debusk College of Osteopathic Medicine Harrogate Tennessee.
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, Graduated 2016.
Honors
Alpha Chi Honor Society
Tennessee Wesleyan College Deans Lift
Licenses and Certifications
Board Certified PA-C, BLS
Professional Affiliations
NCCPA - National Commission on certification of Physician Assistants
AAPA - American Academy of Physician Assistants
Elizabeth Nagengast PA-C
Elizabeth was born and raised in Durham, NC. She attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for her undergraduate education, receiving a Biology major, Chemistry minor, and Spanish minor. After graduating from UNC, she worked at the Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center as a clinical medical research assistant for the Anesthesia and Surgical services. She later attended PA school at Mercy University in Atlanta, GA, where she received a Master’s in Medical Science-Physician Assistant Studies. She completed her clinical rotations throughout the states of Georgia and Florida. Elizabeth knew early on that she had an interest in Orthopedics and Surgery.
She began her PA career in pain management in Florida where she lived with her husband. Elizabeth always wanted to return to her home state of North Carolina. Her husband’s military career aligned with this desire to return to NC when he was assigned to Fort Bragg. She took the opportunity to begin practicing orthopedic medicine with Huff Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, starting in January 2023. Along with practicing orthopedic medicine, she also treats patients for medically-assisted weight loss in the Huff Wellness clinic.
She is very happy to be back in North Carolina and to lay down permanent roots. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her family, including her dogs and several parrots.
Education:
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Graduated 2010
- Bachelor of Science Biology Major
- Bachelor of Science Chemistry Minor
- Bachelor of Arts Spanish Minor
Mercer University - College of Health Professions, Graduated 2018
- Master of Medical Science – Physician Assistant Studies
Professional Affiliations:
NCCPA - National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants
AAPA - American Academy of Physician Associates
NCAPA - North Carolina Academy of Physician Assistants