The Steadman Hawkins Clinic-Denver joined UCHealth and the University of Colorado School of Medicine.
However, The Steadman Clinic owners and operators may not be on board. A statement from Vail, Colo.-based The Steadman Clinic reads, "This agreement was reached without the knowledge or consent of Steadman Clinic founder Dr. Richard Steadman, Managing Partner Dr. Marc Philippon or CEO Dan Drawbaugh. We will withhold further comment while reviewing our legal options."
Here are five things to know:
1. The surgeons at Steadman Hawkins Clinic Denver, UCHealth and University of Colorado School of Medicine perform stem cell therapies, orthobiologics and other cutting-edge procedures and clinical trials. With the three joining forces, they hope to create an innovative sports performance medicine program.
2. The Steadman Hawkins Clinic-Denver focuses on education and research as well as providing orthopedic care. The practice has served the community for 23 years and includes seven surgeons. Those surgeons are joining the CU School of Medicine faculty in the orthopedic department and CU Sports Medicine.
3. UCHealth provides sports medicine services and partners with the US Olympic Training Center, Denver Broncos, Colorado Avalanche, Denver Nuggets, Colorado Rockies as well as other sports teams. The Steadman Hawkins Clinic-Denver physicians are also the official team physicians for the Denver Broncos and Colorado Rockies.
4. UCHealth is currently building a new center in Englewood, Colo., for sports performance that will include surgeries, imaging, clinic and physical and occupational therapy services. The new 90,000-square-foot medical office building will include a surgery center with four operating rooms.
5. The University of Colorado's orthopedic and sports medicine programs are ranked by U.S News and World Report.
"Steadman Hawkins Clinic-Denver will continue to provide excellent care for patients with orthopedic injuries, but by joining UCHealth and the CU School of Medicine, we will now be able to provide a far greater range of services and care, all within the same health system," said Thomas Noonan, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Steadman Hawkins Clinic-Denver.