Silver City, NM, January 5, 2024 – Gila Regional Medical Center is set to expand its orthopedic services with the acquisition of Southwest Bone adn Joint Institute, a move approved by the hospital’s board of trustees on Wednesday.This strategic purchase aims to bolster healthcare options for grant County residents.
Strengthening Local Orthopedic care
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The acquisition, expected to be finalized by January 15, will bring Southwest bone and Joint Institute under the Gila Regional umbrella. Hospital officials assure patients that orthopedic services will continue uninterrupted at both locations during the transition. this is viewed as a positive development for healthcare access within grant County.
- Gila Regional Medical Center will acquire Southwest Bone and Joint Institute.
- The acquisition was approved by the hospital board on Wednesday and is expected to be finalized by January 15.
- Orthopedic services will continue uninterrupted at both locations during the transition.
- The move is seen as a positive step for healthcare access in Grant County.
“there will be no limiting of services. There’s nothing going to close or consolidate,” assured Robert Whitaker,CEO of Gila Regional. “We will look at integration options next year to improve our overall orthopedic clinic practice. It’s all about the space – what do we have with space and space requirements?”
A Six-Month Discussion
The acquisition has been in development for approximately six months, originating from a conversation between Whitaker and Dr. Brian Robinson, founder of Southwest bone and Joint. “I meet and talk with physicians frequently, and it came up in a conversation one time, and it just kind of grew traction,” Whitaker explained.
Southwest Bone and joint, established in 1999 by Dr. Robinson, currently provides a full spectrum of orthopedic services, including joint replacement, sports medicine, arthroscopic surgery, orthopedic trauma care, hand and ankle surgery, and physical and rehabilitation medicine.
Dr. Robinson expressed his enthusiasm for the future,stating,”I returned to my hometown 26 years ago to build an orthopedic clinic dedicated to delivering high-quality,compassionate care,and I look forward to our next chapter as we continue focusing on providing the very best orthopedic care for our patients.”
Smooth Transition for Staff
Whitaker and Aimee Summers, Human Resources Director, have already met with Southwest Bone and Joint’s practitioners, Physician Assistant Rick Lemke and Dr.Sravanthi Reddy, along with other staff members, to discuss the transition process. “It is our privilege to welcome them to the GRMC team,” Whitaker said.
County Commission Support
Chris Ponce,chair of the Grant County Commission,lauded the acquisition as a beneficial move for the county-owned hospital. “I’m happy that they’re coming on board, and I’m happy the citizens of Grant County that are using Southwest Bone and Joint can continue to do so,” Ponce stated. “We can’t afford to lose any of those services. Grant County is already struggling to find providers, and I think it’s just perfect.”
Ponce highlighted the positive impact of Whitaker’s leadership,especially since his hiring in 2023. “I think it provided a lot of stability, not only for the citizens, but I think for the staff that work there,” he said. “They’re going through a lot of changes, and I think that it’s good.”
Whitaker transitioned to a direct employment role with the hospital this summer, following a shift in management services to Ovation Healthcare. The hospital also recently announced the appointment of John Nadone as its chief financial officer, who began his role this week.
