Becker's Spine Review

19 PRACTICE MANAGEMENT Why Florida is a major battleground for orthopedics By Alan Condon F lorida's population boom, tax-friendly nature and aging population all con- tribute to it becoming a key battle- ground for orthopedic practices. e state's population soared by more than 240,000 last year, second only to Texas, which gained almost 374,000 people, according to data published by the U.S. Census Bureau in December. Coinciding with this population explosion, two major orthopedic groups based in the Northeast recently expanded into the Sun- shine State, with more expected to follow in the coming years, as Florida is expected to become arguably the biggest territory for or- thopedic care. In January 2020, New York City-based Hospital for Special Surgery opened a 60,000-square-foot hospital in West Palm Beach, Fla., through a partnership with Dal- las-based Tenet Healthcare. Philadelphia-based Rothman Orthopaedics is also capitalizing on Florida's population boom, partnering with Altamonte Springs- based AdventHealth and developing a $100 million headquarters in Orlando. "I think you're going to see more orthopedic groups entering Florida in the future," Alex- ander Vaccaro, MD, PhD, president of Roth- man Orthopaedics, told Becker's. "Florida is a playground for the young and is a popular place to live as we age. It's also a recreational community, so there's a lot of sports-related injuries." Rothman Orthopaedics' expansion into Flor- ida has been in the works for the past six years. e practice also considered Texas and California, which lost nearly 70,000 residents last year — the state's first annual population loss since 1850, according to U.S. Census Bu- reau data. As a warm-weather state, Florida has a big recreational community and a lot of sports-related injuries. It also has a lot of people with aging orthopedic problems such as total joint replacement and spinal stenosis. "Floridians, as they age, stay as active as they were when they were younger," according to Martin Roche, MD, director of hip and knee arthroplasty at HSS Florida in West Palm Beach. "I'm doing knee surgeries for people in their 80s that are playing pickleball, tennis and golf." "e weather promotes a more active life- style, which their social bond with their friends and family is built around," he said. "It's also a much more tax-friendly state." Florida is one of nine states that does not im- pose income tax on its residents. HSS, ranked No. 1 for orthopedics for 11 consecutive years by U.S. News & World Re- port, aims to become the top musculoskeletal provider across the U.S., Dr. Roche said. "I think Florida was its first test ground." As orthopedic practices look to expand into warm-weather states like Florida, rising con- solidation continues to be a trend in these areas. In the past year, three orthopedic su- pergroups were formed through mergers in Florida, Texas and Tennessee. Florida Orthopaedic Institute in Tampa merged with Clearwater-based OrthoCare Florida in March to include 150 providers across 17 locations — the biggest orthopedic group in the state. n Rothman Orthopaedics relocates New Jersey office to larger facility By Carly Behm P hiladelphia-based Rothman Orthopaedic Institute relocated an office to a larger space in Hamilton, N.J., according to a Feb. 3 announcement. The office moved to a former Kmart space Feb. 1. It features more than 15,000 square feet, 21 exam rooms, and on-site orthotic and bracing services. The new office will be able to offer each of Rothman's sub- specialties. Rothman Orthopaedics has 38 offices. In the past month, the company recruited three physicians to Rothman Orthopaedics-Florida, and CEO Michael West announced his retirement after 22 years. n Lone Star Orthopaedic and Spine Specialists opens new location in Texas By Carly Behm F ort Worth, Texas-based Lone Star Orthopaedic and Spine Specialists opened a new location in Mansfield, accord- ing to a Feb. 8 news release. This is the practice's third location, and a fourth is under con- struction. The practice serves the north Texas area, and services include spine surgery, sports medicine and joint replacements. "We are excited to begin building relationships through patient care in Mansfield and to become part of a growing community," said Dalton Ryba, DPM, a foot and ankle surgeon with the prac- tice. "We expect to become the community orthopedic and foot and ankle providers that people can trust and know they are being well cared for." n

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