A  Jackson doctor who began his medical career in Vicksburg has received the Southeastern Athletic Trainers’ Association’s highest honor, the Jack C. Hughston, M.D., Sports Medicine Person of the Year award.

Dr. Gene Barrett, a founding member and physician at the Mississippi Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center in Jackson, was honored at SEATA’s 2009 meeting in Panama City, Fla.

A McComb native, Barrett began his career at the former Mercy Hospital on Grove Street, where he worked the summer before his third year in medical school.

He graduated from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine in 1974. After completing a general surgery internship and orthopaedic surgery residency in 1979, Barrett completed a 14-month fellowship in sports medicine and knee surgery at The Hughston Orthopaedic Clinic in Columbus, Ga.

He and his wife, the former Linda Holliday of Vicksburg, have two children, Austin and David.