Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1539853
27 ORTHOPEDICS Atrium Health, spine group expand collaboration By Sophie Eydis N early 300 staff members from Carolina NeuroSurgery & Spine Associates' seven Charlotte, N.C.-area clinics will join Charlotte-based Atrium Health on Oct. 1. Atrium and CNSA have collaborated for years. The move formalizes that partnership into what leaders say will be the region's most comprehensive neurosurgery and spine program, according to a Sept. 15 news release shared with Becker's. Patients will continue to have access to more than 70 physicians and advanced practice providers, offering services ranging from nonsurgical treatment and minimally invasive procedures to complex surgeries. The integration will strengthen surgical and nonsurgical care, supported by Atrium's facilities and services, the release said. The two organizations previously partnered on SpineFirst, launched in 2021 to improve care coordination, and operate the Charlotte-based Carolina Center for Specialty Surgery. n Spire Orthopedic Partners names chief medical officers By Carly Behm K ate Vadasdi, MD, and David Hergan, MD, are Spire Orthopedic Partners' chief medical officers, according to a Sept. 16 news release. In their roles, the two will incorporate physician insight into Spire's strategic decision-making and work with teams across the management service organization's practices. They will also lead practice-level clinical leadership teams. Dr. Vadasdi is director of the Women's Sports Medicine Center at Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists in Greenwich, Conn. Dr. Hergan is a sports medicine and joint replacement surgeon at Middlesex Orthopedic & Spine Associates in Middletown, Conn. Before being named chief medical officers, both were involved in Spire's growth initiatives. n Consolidation pressures reshape spine markets By Carly Behm As various factors in the healthcare landscape push many groups to consolidate, spine surgeons have to remain nimble. ree spine surgeons discuss how changes in the market affect their regions. Editor's note: Responses were lightly edited for clarity. Question: As consolidation accelerates across orthopedics and spine, are you seeing new competitive threats — or openings — in your local and regional markets? Brian Gantwerker, MD. e Craniospinal Center of Los Angeles: In regional markets, as hospitals try to drive out private practice doctors, we will see unusual alliances of otherwise competitive surgeons. I think the very consolidation hospitals are driving, and effectively want, will create opportunities for nimble and smart surgeons to offer better patient experiences. Many of us do not enjoy this trend but will ultimately adapt as we can and let the hospitals bloat and keep patients waiting, while we can do a better job more efficiently and have good quality without all the metric, check-box driven administrative bloat that now plagues their overgrown systems. Tan Chen, MD. Geisinger Musculoskeletal Institute (Danville, Pa.): ere has been increasing pressure to consolidate within orthopaedics and spine, and I think there are both advantages and disadvantages to this. As a benefit, practice consolidation can lead to improved access to advanced technology, better resource allocation, and enhanced collaborative care that fosters multidisciplinary approaches to complex cases, ultimately benefiting patient outcomes and satisfaction. e drawbacks, however, include potential erosion of personalized care, increased administrative burden, and the risk of prioritizing profitability over patient outcomes, which can diminish the patient experience. Christian Zimmerman, MD. St. Alphonsus Medical Group and SAHS Neuroscience Institute (Boise, Idaho): Growing numbers of physician-providers are 'opting out' of Medicare Supplemental plans and turning these patients away to manage their care elsewhere. Choosing a concierge primary care plan or specialty provider usually spells exorbitant out of pocket or balance billed payments, which most seniors and the underserved become quickly excluded. e complex spinal patient or less-than-marginal result is also shied to a more well equipped, higher acuity facility. is growing phenomenon has created pressures on employed physician practices and already burdened health systems. is consolidation/competition also extends between larger hospitals, whereby mission-based care with its non-exclusionary models is routinely negatively impacted. n