Doctors at Spectrum, Omni combine practices to form OrthoUnited
JACKSON TWP. – Physicians with Stark County’s two largest orthopedic practices will merge to create OrthoUnited, a physician-owned medical practice.
Partners in Spectrum Orthopaedics and Omni Orthopaedics began discussing a potential merger in 2020. The two medical practices will officially combine Jan. 1.
The partnership creates a practice with 35 physicians and orthopedic surgeons who specialize in treatment of the muscular and skeletal — or musculoskeletal — systems.
More:OASIS Surgery Center has opened new facility in Jackson Township
Changes in Stark County’s health care landscape prompted the merger talks, said Dr. Jared Stefanko, who was with Spectrum and will serve as chief executive officer for OrthoUnited.
Some of those changes include Cleveland Clinic’s acquisition of Mercy Medical Center, the growth of Aultman Hospital and the decision by Crystal Clinic to open an office in Stark County. The coronavirus pandemic also has changed the health care industry, said Dr. Vincent Wake, who was with Omni.
More:Spectrum Orthopaedics breaks ground for new headquarters
Spectrum, Omni say merger allows them to continue independent medical services
Remaining independent also helps the combined practice remain agile and able to improve efficiency and quality, as well as pass along cost savings, the doctors said.
Doctors working with Spectrum and Omni believed a merger will allow them to remain independent and as they navigate the changes, Stefanko said. He assured patients that there won’t be changes to the care they receive.
“Our patients will see the same doctors and staff, at the same campuses and offices they have built trust in,” Stefanko said.
Dr. Ira Richterman, who was with Omni, said the two medical practices had the same goal, which was to provide independent care. They’ve pulled together to continue independent medical services.
“We went from competition to collaboration,” Wake said of the merger.
Doctors in the combined practice will continue to work from the same locations, although the two facilities are separate businesses. Spectrum and Ohio Specialty Surgical Suites are located at 7442 Frank Ave. NW in a facility that opened in 2014. Omni physicians have been in the OMNI/Oasis Surgical Center, at 7000 Whipple Ave. NW, and have offices at 4760 Belpar St. NW in Jackson Township, Alliance and Dover.
The creation of OrthoUnited can be traced to 1995 when three orthopedic practices were located in Canton, Richterman said. At that time all three groups discussed combining. Eventually, 13th Street Orthopaedics and Belden Village Orthopaedics merged to become Omni Orthopaedics, while Stark County Orthopaedics became Spectrum.
“It’s a more powerful, united front in order to sustain independent medicine,” Richterman said of the merger.
Reach Edd at 330-580-8484 or edd.pritchard@cantonrep.com On Twitter: @epritchardREP
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