Additionally, Holmes was the first African-American student to attend the Emory University School of Medicine, where he earned his M.D.

His grandfather and uncle, Oliver Wendell Holmes, helped to desegregate golf courses in Atlanta in 1955.

After this, Holmes enrolled at Morehouse College, while he and Hunter continued to apply to the University of Georgia every quarter.

He then left in 1969 to serve as an army ranger in Germany, before returning to Emory to complete his residency.

He eventually opened up a private practice in Atlanta, later becoming a professor and associate dean at Emory, and the medical director and head orthopedic surgeon at Grady Memorial Hospital.

For many years after graduating, Holmes stayed away from the University of Georgia, stating that his "time as a student there was very bad".