WILMINGTON, N.C., Jan. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — The two leading orthopaedic groups in southeastern North Carolina have announced that they are joining together to become the regional destination for comprehensive orthopaedic care. On January 1, 2012, Atlantic Orthopedics and Wilmington Orthopaedic Group will begin operating as OrthoWilmington, offering patients a range of orthopaedic care and services unmatched in the region.

“Combining our practices gives patients greater access to more specialists in more locations,” says R. Mark Rodger, M.D., President of OrthoWilmington. “Patients will benefit in every respect, from enhanced services, specialties and technologies, to seamless collaboration between physicians.”

The combined medical team includes 20 board-certified or board-eligible orthopaedic and spine specialists, 17 physician assistants and nurse practitioners, plus a dedicated team of therapists, technicians and support staff. Patients will be able to choose from five convenient OrthoWilmington locations: three in Wilmington, one in Brunswick Forest and one in Jacksonville. Existing patients of both practices will be able to continue their care with their current physician in their current office.

Everything required to diagnose and treat all types of musculoskeletal conditions will be available under the OrthoWilmington umbrella, including six subspecialty care centers that focus tremendous clinical and diagnostic resources on specific areas. OrthoWilmington offers the following orthopaedic specialties: spine, sports medicine, joint reconstruction and revision, hand and upper extremity, foot and ankle, and trauma. In addition to surgical specialties, physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians offer non-surgical treatment options for musculoskeletal conditions.

The practice also offers physical and occupational therapy in four convenient locations, advanced imaging with an ACR-accredited MRI, and orthopaedic urgent care through AccessOrtho, a walk-in medical clinic that enables patients to be diagnosed and treated immediately, saving the expense and hassle of an emergency room visit.

The practice remains dedicated to using progressive technologies, from sophisticated diagnostic tools to improved electronic communications for patients and physicians, including a patient portal providing online appointment requests, prescription renewal, and bill pay services.

“This is the next phase in the evolution of both practices,” says Steve DeBiasi, Chief Executive Officer for OrthoWilmington. “The merger leverages the previous successes of both practices to create new opportunities that may not have been available to each group independently. It allows us to strengthen and expand existing partnerships, positions us for exciting clinical and research opportunities, and makes possible greater economies of scale, such as volume discounts on equipment, technology and medical supplies. In all these ways, this merger better prepares us for the changing healthcare landscape and future healthcare reform.”

The practice will build on its strong history of community service and will continue to serve as team physicians for many local and regional sports teams and organizations, including UNCW Athletics, Wilmington Hammerheads, Wilmington Sharks, Cape Fear Community College, Cape Fear Rugby Club, and numerous other public and private school athletic programs.

“The bottom line of the alliance,” says Dr. Rodger, “is that the people of this region will greatly benefit from increased access to a superior level of care. OrthoWilmington will focus on delivering the best orthopaedic care possible, in the most streamlined, cost-effective manner available.”

CONTACT: Jennifer Loper
OrthoWilmington, P.A.
910-332-1507
info@orthowilmington.com
orthowilmington.com

SOURCE OrthoWilmington