Scranton, Pa.-based Professional Orthopaedic Associates joined Danville, Pa.-based Geisinger.
"Culturally, this practice is best aligned with Geisinger and will partner with us on the commitment we made to Scranton to expand all musculoskeletal services including our highly regarded programs in orthopedic trauma, podiatry, wound care and sports medicine in addition to providing needed new leadership of the New Steps Joint Replacement Center at Geisinger Community Medical Center," said Michael Suk, MD, chief physician officer and chair of Geisinger's Musculoskeletal Institute.
Here are five things to know:
1. The new affiliation will bring four orthopedic physicians and a rheumatologist under Geisinger's umbrella Jan. 1, 2018. The practice's 52 employees and administrator, as well as the nurse practitioner, physician assistant and physical and occupational therapy staff members will remain with the practice and join Geisinger on the same day.
2. Beginning in 2018, the group's inpatient orthopedic surgeries will all be performed in Geisigner Community Medical Center's new operating suites, located two miles away from the practice's offices. The Professional Orthopedic Associates physicians will remain in their current location after the affiliation is complete.
3. The current Professional Orthopaedic Associates location at Ice Box Complex provides onsite radiology and physical therapy. Surgeons will be able to perform outpatient orthopedic surgeries at Dickson City, Pa.-based North East Surgery Center.
4. After alignment, Geisinger will invest $1.5 million in the practice to add new technologies and equipment, including a radiology upgrade, and install Epic EHR. Geisinger has made several investments in Northeast Pennsylvania since merging with Geisinger Community Medical Center in 2012, including a $97.1 million campus expansion with 14 new operating suites.
5. The Geisinger Musculoskeletal Institute currently includes 74 physicians and more than 650 employees focused on sports medicine, orthopedic surgery, podiatry and physical medicine and rehabilitation.