Ten orthopedic surgeons left Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute in the spring to open Orthopedic Specialists of Jacksonville earlier this month.
The group sees patients in two offices: at 5191 First Coast Technology Parkway near Butler and Kernan boulevards and 14534 Old St. Augustine Road, Suite 3210, near the Baptist Health South Campus.
“We all share a common goal to elevate the orthopedic care in Jacksonville. The group represents some of the best orthopedic surgeons in all of the specialties,” said Kevin M. Kaplan, lead physician for Orthopedic Specialists of Jacksonville.
“First and foremost we provide availability. I think one of the most frustrating things about medicine these days is how quickly you can get in to see a physician. Our primary goal is to make ourselves available to our patients.”
Kaplan said the restructuring of Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute did not directly have anything to do with their decision to leave that practice. The decision to form a new practice came about as JOI grew, he said.
“When a group gets to be a certain size, and sometimes there are different opinions about ways to move forward, and that brings about change,” Kaplan said.
“Change certainly can elevate care and elevate the way that we take care of our patients. So I think it’s all positive, and certainly we’ve all enjoyed our experience with JOI, but I think this gives us a chance to build something bigger and better.”
JOI announced in March that it was closing offices and laying off staff in a reorganization plan to leave its affiliation with Baptist Health.
In April the Daily Record reported background on the split:
In 2011, Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute sold its stock to Baptist Health. A group of JOI physicians agreed to repurchase the stock and return to operating as an independent practice once the transaction closes in approximately 90 days, according to Baptist Health. The buyback process has been underway for “some time.”
“JOI has been working toward buying back its stock and returning to an independent practice,” JOI Executive Director John Ricchini said via email in April in response to questions from the Daily Record.
“This transition will allow JOI to operate with greater autonomy and flexibility.”
Orthopedic Specialists of Jacksonville works with sports injuries as well as spinal hand, feet and joint issues.
Kaplan complimented JOI for its cooperation and assistance with the split. JOI contacted patients to inform them that their doctor was leaving the practice and gave them the option to stay with JOI or transfer to Orthopedic Specialists of Jacksonville.
JOI sent patient records of those who followed their doctor to OSJ.
“Patients coming to us that were with us, just because we have established relationships with them. JOI was able to transfer with the patient records with us as we made our transition to this new group. So I so far, what I’ve seen is all of our patients that we work with in the past wanted to work with us in the future.”
OSJ remains affiliated with Baptist Health and works with the hospital to provide patient care.
OSJ accepts most insurance plans, Kaplan said.
In forming the Orthopedic Specialists of Jacksonville, most doctors were able to keep their staff of nurse practitioners and doctor assistants. Each doctor pays his own staff. Shared staff in reception and surgery schedulers, are paid for by the group.
Kaplan declined to provide the cost of opening Orthopedic Specialists of Jacksonville.