On March 1, 2010, the physicians with Roanoke Orthopaedic Center (ROC) and Carilion Bone and Joint will combine to form a new practice known as Carilion Clinic Orthopaedics. The two groups have both practiced at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for many years, providing care and advanced medical technology to patients throughout the region. According to Carilion, both groups are “nationally recognized and known for their team approach to care and experienced physicians, nurses and physician assistants.”
“Several years ago we approached Carilion about ways to jointly advance the practice of orthopaedics in the region,” said Roanoke Orthopaedic Center Specialist Hugh Hagan, M.D. “Together we can create a regional referral center for orthopaedic care.”
“We already have a common vision for the future of orthopaedics in the region, and our commitment to service and excellence in patient care,” said Carilion Bone and Joint physician Thomas Shuler, M.D. “Forming a new, comprehensive practice is the best way to move that vision forward.” Shuler added that “two primary advantages of the Clinic will be the ability to provide multidisciplinary care as well as focus heavily on program development.”
The practice will be devoted exclusively to patient care involving musculoskeletal disorders and injuries and will be the only orthopaedic center in the region to provide a full-range of services including: joint replacement and reconstruction; arthroplasty and sports medicine; spine, fracture and trauma care; hand and microvascular surgery; foot and ankle surgery and pediatric orthopaedics.
Carilion also stresses that their patient-centered philosophy – including building an integrated care program alongside colleagues in neurosurgery, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and trauma surgery – will provide tremendous benefits as a result of the merger.
When asked if Carilion’s consent agreement with the FTC will have any impact on the move, Carilion spokesman Eric Earnhart responded that “We believe that the consent agreement will allow us to move forward to form this new practice with the physicians of Roanoke Orthopaedic Center. The agreement states that we are free to employ physicians who approach us and express interest – which is the case with Roanoke Orthopaedic Center. The agreement also states that conversations with physicians that were already underway at the time the agreement takes effect can continue – and the conversation with ROC began about 3 years ago.”
In July of this year the FTC filed an administrative complaint challenging Carilion’s 2008 purchase of the Center for Advanced Imaging and the Center for Surgical Excellence. Shortly thereafter Carilion offered to sell the two centers in a joint motion with the FTC and requested permission to hold settlement talks. Since that time Carilion and the FTC have reached a settlement agreement that is presently being considered by the commission for a final decision.
The physicians of Carilion Clinic Orthopaedics will continue to see patients at the current ROC location on Postal Drive and at Riverside 3, located in Carilion’s Riverside Center at the corner of Jefferson Street and Reserve Avenue. Carilion advises that it is likely that it will adjust some physician locations based on needs relative to physician functions including surgical and equipment requirements and that all patients will receive ample notification of any such changes.
That’s very disappointing.