Carmel, Ind.-based Methodist Sports Medicine has changed the name of its physician group to Forté Sports Medicine and Orthopedics, the practice said Dec. 14.
Five notes:
1. The rebrand comes six weeks after Indianapolis-based IU Health Methodist Hospital and Methodist Health Group sued the independent practice for alleged trademark infringement and unfair competition after it relocated to a competing hospital campus.
2. The 29-physician practice began branding itself as Methodist Sports Medicine with permission from IU Health in 1990, and the two organizations developed and operated ASCs for nearly 30 years before Methodist Sports Medicine opted to relocate in 2019.
3. After relocating to Mishawaka, Ind.-based Franciscan Health's hospital campus, the physician-owners of Methodist Sports Medicine withdrew from their joint venture ASC with IU Health to open a competing surgery center with Franciscan Health, according to the lawsuit.
4. The orthopedic facility in collaboration with Franciscan Health will open in Carmel in March.
5. IU Health terminated its branding agreement with Methodist Sports Medicine in October and asked the group to stop using its name.