The Orthopedic Institute: A New Era in Motion

By Keith Bricking, MD, chief clinical officer, Premier Health

Premier Health is advancing orthopedic care through the Orthopedic Institute by expanding access, strengthening clinical expertise, and integrating care, education, and research.

The institute brings together orthopedic surgeons, advanced practice providers, sports medicine specialists and rehabilitation professionals in a coordinated model designed to improve patient outcomes and support long-term growth.

We are in a strong phase of expansion. A national search is underway for the next chair of the Orthopedic Institute, who will help guide strategy and future development. Recent recruitment efforts have added expertise in foot and ankle care and joint replacement. Two orthopedic trauma fellows also have joined the employed orthopedic group, reflecting continued investment in talent and capability.

The partnership with Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine remains central to the institute’s academic mission. New faculty members are contributing to education, research and innovation while helping train the next generation of orthopedic physicians. The collaboration supports ongoing workforce development and clinical excellence.

Integrated care across specialties continues to grow. Orthopedic spine and neurosurgery teams collaborate to evaluate complex cases and determine the most appropriate treatment for each patient. This approach supports coordinated, evidence-based care focused on outcomes.

Rehabilitation programs further strengthen recovery and continuity of care. Initiatives such as Return to Play and Gap guide patients through structured recovery pathways. Expanded functional outcomes tracking continues to support quality improvement and performance measurement across the institute.

The Orthopedic Institute’s ongoing development reflects Premier Health’s broader commitment to aligning strategy, talent and clinical operations. The goal is to expand access, strengthen expertise and build a sustainable foundation for high-quality musculoskeletal care across the region.

Did You Know?

Orthopedic Institute Clinical Snapshot:

• We offer same-day orthopedic care at walk-in clinics at Upper Valley Medical Center, Miami Valley Hospital North, and Miami Valley Hospital South for fractures, sprains, dislocations, sports injuries, and joint pain, increasing access to timely, specialized care while enhancing convenience and continuity.
• The subspecialties represented within the Orthopedic Institute are hand and wrist; trauma; sports medicine; non-operative care; regenerative medicine; hip and joint; shoulder and elbow; spine; and foot and ankle (Hee Young Lee, MD will be joining August 2026).
• Women represent 26 % of the orthopedic surgeons within the Institute, exceeding national averages and reflecting our commitment to mentorship, inclusion, and professional development.
• Premier Health performs more than 11,000 orthopedic and total joint procedures annually, demonstrating the breadth of services and expertise available across the enterprise.
• More than 50 learners train with the Institute each year, including residents, fellows, and medical students through our partnership with Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine.
• Our partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs supports clinical research, quality improvement initiatives, and physician training.
• Approximately 70 percent of orthopedic referrals remain within Premier Health for physical therapy services, reflecting strong coordination between orthopedic, musculoskeletal, sports medicine, and rehabilitation teams to support seamless patient care and recovery.

Back to the July 2026 Premier Pulse