Dr. McLeod continued his work with Walton’s coaches, trainers and volunteers to create the first high school based Sports Medicine program in Georgia. The goal of the program was three-fold. The first goal was to provide immediate treatment to sports related injuries which lessens rehab time. Secondly, it would provide educational training to high school students in basic sports medicine knowledge and skills. This provided an educational track and experience for students interested in this field. It also helped provide additional support to the Walton sports trainers. Thirdly, the program wanted to establish injury prevention measures for Walton’s athletes to keep them as healthy as possible. Over the years, a program that began as a service for Walton’s football program is now a service for every athlete at Walton.
In deference to Dr. McLeod’s contributions and dedication to the Walton Sports Medicine Program, the program was re-named the Hugh McLeod MD Wellness Complex and Sports Medicine Center in 2001. He and his family initiated our current relationship with Northside Hospital which has enhanced the Sports Medicine Program at Walton over the years with additional trainers and equipment.
Dr. McLeod supported Walton until he lost his battle with Leukemia on September 30, 2011.
With his passing, his wife, Leslie, and their daughter, Lauren, chose to celebrate Dr. McLeod’s life in Raider Valley. They established funding for the Hugh McLeod Wellness and Sports Medicine Program. In Dr. McLeod’s absence, Leslie and Lauren McLeod Hodges have continued to honor their husband and father’s work by supporting Walton High School.
