Changing the Face of Health Care and Wellbeing in Our Community
August 27, 2020
APPLETON, Wis. – ThedaCare, Neuroscience Group and Hand To Shoulder Center of Wisconsin are pleased to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Orthopedic, Spine and Pain Center. This milestone marks the official start in creating the region’s only comprehensive health center specializing in orthopedic, spine and pain care.
“To meet growing consumer demand for convenient, specialized services, ThedaCare, Hand to Shoulder Center of Wisconsin and Neuroscience Group are proud to join together for this collaboration,” said Imran Andrabi, MD, President and CEO of ThedaCare. “These groups form a team of experts at one location allowing patients to access outstanding, individualized care. By enhancing that coordinated care, we can live our mission of improving the health of the communities, creating peace of mind for all we serve.”
Focusing on the Patients and Family Experience
The new Orthopedic, Spine and Pain Center will enhance access to specialized experts, where care teams understand each person’s unique medical background, lifestyle and personal goals, getting patients back to living their best life, sooner.
“This project and the design were led by physicians, clinical leaders, operational leaders and staff in key services such as surgery, lab, physical therapy, pain management and sports medicine,” said Dr. Steven Price, Chief Medical Officer of Neuroscience Group. “We are focused on the wellbeing and convenience of patients and their families in a comfortable, soothing environment with high-end amenities.”
One example of this can be found in the planning around the warm-water therapy pool. Care teams provided guidance in the design, emphasizing the importance of therapists being in the water with their patients, offering one-on-one, personalized care.
Another feature of the Center includes a simulation apartment allowing patients and their families to complete therapy to prepare for life post-discharge. Patients can practice what it will be like to use a kitchen or restroom after surgery and rehabilitation, ensuring they feel comfortable when returning home.
Other amenities include private recovery rooms, a restaurant and a heated discharge area when patients leave the hospital. Visitors will notice natural sunlight, welcoming colors and local artwork featured throughout the building.
Revolutionary Design for Coordinated Care
The Orthopedic, Spine and Pain Center will include a medical office building, specialty surgery center, and orthopedic and spine hospital, as well as support services for total patient care. A highlight of the Center is the ThedaCare orthopedic and spine hospital, which will consist of operating suites designed for and dedicated to orthopedic and spine surgery, 25 inpatient beds, and support services such as imaging, lab, pharmacy and dining.
Together, the partners will focus on creating excellence in key areas including neuro and spine, upper extremity, total joint, foot and ankle, sports medicine, physical therapy and pain. Patients can be confident knowing they have access to the highest levels of fully integrated care, physician talent and training.
“From a simple surgery to the most complex, the Center partners will offer complete services to patients by working collaboratively with each person,” said Dr. Andrabi. “The goal is to make exceptional care effortless for patients and families by understanding individual needs. The design plan was intentional, ensuring patient care will be comprehensive and coordinated through evaluation, diagnostics, surgery, rehabilitation and pain management.”
Partners intend for the Center to feature the newest technology and equipment. The architectural designs aim to reduce cost, improve capacity, provide sustained operational efficiency and ultimately focus on an exceptional patient experience.
COVID-19 and Preparing for the Future
The partnership is an evolution of long-standing relationships between ThedaCare, Hand to Shoulder Center of Wisconsin and Neuroscience Group, and complements a shared vision of providing high-quality care for patients. Both Neuroscience Group and Hand to Shoulder Center of Wisconsin are members of ThedaCare’s Accountable Care Organization (ACO), which aligns more than 1,100 employed and affiliated like-minded healthcare providers who work actively together to be accountable for the quality, cost and overall care of patients in the region.
ThedaCare and partners continue to prepare and respond to the needs of the community, keeping our patients and families safe and healthy, now and always. Our commitment to providing this specialized orthopedic, spine and pain care stands strong while we are also dedicated to COVID-19 prevention, treatment of patients and protection of care teams.
Demand for orthopedic and spine services is increasing as Wisconsinites are aging and becoming more active. According to Wisconsin Dept. of Administration, all 17 counties ThedaCare serves will see an 8-17% increase in those age 55 and older through 2040. As people live more active lives, sports-related injuries are increasing. Sports medicine grew 26% in the last five years nationally, while spine medicine grew 24%.
The local economy was considered as partners determined the importance of moving forward with this project. Approximately 75 healthcare jobs are expected to be created with the opening of the new Center, plus the equivalent of an additional 200 construction jobs. The Center will be conveniently located at ThedaCare Health Campus – Encircle in Appleton, Wis. Total cost is expected to be $144M. The 230,000 sq. ft. Center is expected to open in summer 2022.
To learn more about the Orthopedic, Spine and Pain Center, visit ThedaCareOSP.org.
