Orthopedic surgeons partner to create new combined practice in Steamboat
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — Steamboat Orthopaedic Associates and Orthopeadics of Steamboat are merging to form the Steamboat Orthopaedic & Spine Institute, a move the new partnership believes will better meet the needs of patients in Steamboat Springs and the surrounding area.
“Orthopedic surgeons in Steamboat Springs have been collaborating for over a year searching for ways to work together. Our goal was to provide the community with one source for comprehensive orthopedic care,” Dr. Alexander Meininger said. “The surgeons in our community are excellent and collectively represent multiple subspecialties and carry board certification, fellowship training and specialty qualifications. Now is the time for us to work together to serve the community in terms of availability and accountability.”
Meininger, who specializes in orthopedic surgery, is one of eight doctors who will form the core of the new group, which also includes medical doctors Bryan Bomberg, Michael Sisk, Bryan Scheer, Andreas Sauerbrey and Clint Devin as well as doctors of osteopathic medicine Patrick Johnston and Alexis Tracey.
Devin, an orthopedic spine surgeon who recently started working for Orthopeadics of Steamboat, said the merger was a big reason he came to Steamboat Springs from Vanderbilt University, a private research university in Nashville, Tennessee, where he has worked as an associate professor of orthopedic surgery and neurosurgery.
“I think that everybody started having the realization that our skill sets are complementary to one another,” Devin said. “This allows us to provide care for the Yampa Valley and the greater region. It’s truly boutique care where the patient is getting subspecialists that they would normally find in a larger city, but this will allow them to do that in the comfort of their own location.”
The two groups made a decision they could provide greater care to the residents of the Yampa Valley and to visitors by joining forces. The announcement that UCHealth plans to build a new Orthopedic and Spine Center for Excellence made the timing of the merger seem right.
“We welcome the collaboration of this new group and look forward to a successful relationship with these surgeons,” said UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center CEO Frank May. “UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center continues to work with local orthopedic surgeons as we strive to provide the best care for patients in Northwest Colorado.”
Initially, Steamboat Orthopeadic Associates will move upstairs in the UCHealth Medical Office Building, 940 Central Park Drive, Suite 280, and into the existing space of Orthopaedics of Steamboat Springs. Their ultimate location depends heavily on the construction and completion of a new orthopedic center on the hospital’s campus.
“Bringing two thriving enterprises together like we have at Steamboat Orthopaedic Associates and Orthopaedics of Steamboat Springs to create a new practice is going to take time,” Meininger said. “Our goal is to take advantage of new resources at our disposal through UCHealth, such as the newly announced Orthopedic Center of Excellence and the EPIC electronic medical record.”
But the focus of the new group will remain on the patient.
“Consolidations in hospitals, private practices and healthcare in general are commonplace and serve to take advantage of economies of scale, avoid duplicate resources and enhance efficiencies,” Meininger said. “Our goal is to provide a single resource to patients in Northwest Colorado, reduce confusion for patients and offer one number for any and all musculoskeletal complaints.”
To reach John F. Russell, call 970-871-4209, email jrussell@SteamboatToday.com or follow him on Twitter @Framp1966.
John F. Russell is the business reporter at the Steamboat Pilot & Today. To reach him, call 970-871-4209, email jrussell@SteamboatPilot.com or follow him on Twitter @Framp1966.
Support Local Journalism
Support Local Journalism
Readers around Steamboat and Routt County make the Steamboat Pilot & Today’s work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.
Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.
Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased news coverage.