American Orthopedic Partners Signs on Two New Practices

 Written By Roni Weiner Pressler

Hand to Shoulder Associates and New York Sports & Joints Orthopaedic Specialists Join AOP

American Orthopedic Partners (AOP) today announced that Hand to Shoulder Associates (HSA) in Arlington Heights, and New York Sports & Joints Orthopaedic Specialists in New York, New York have partnered with AOP.  AOP offers orthopedists an exclusive opportunity to maintain local control, collaborate on national initiatives, and access resources to grow their practices.  This physician-owned partnership model fuels value creation, clinical innovation, and orthopedic excellence. 

“Partnering with AOP means you are joining forces with orthopedic surgeons from across the country who are dedicated to delivering the best in clinical practice and growing together,” said Dr. Jay Bronner, AOP CEO.  “We are thrilled to have these practices join us as we build a new model in orthopedics that will deliver better outcomes while reducing costs.”

“It’s important to us that we maintain control over our own practice and patients.  I also know that the combination of culture, physician engagement, and scale will help us create the right environment to drive both clinical and economic value,” said Dr. Michael Vender of Hand to Shoulder Associates (HSA).  “We are excited to be a part of the future of orthopedics!”

“AOP has all the components we need to be successful.  I can run my practice while contributing to and being supported by a national presence that is owned and led by physicians,” added Dr. Kenneth McCulloch of New York Sports & Joints Orthopaedic Specialists.  “I really like the fact that practices joining AOP participate in shared governance.  We work together as a team to benefit all of the partners in the group.”

Hand to Shoulder Associates (HSA) began in the early 1970’s as a single physician hand surgery practice located in the growing industrial area of Elk Grove Village, IL.  Over the last 40 years, they have grown to become a renowned center of excellence recognized across Illinois for their specialization in injuries and problems of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand.  The first replantations of upper extremity amputations in Chicago were performed by one of the co-founders of HSA in the 1970s.  They have since grown to nine locations across the Chicago region and are the largest single specialty hand group and one of the largest in the Midwest.  All their surgeons are board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons, each having additional sub-specialization training in the upper extremity and microvascular surgery.

Led by Dr. Kenneth McCulloch, New York Sports & Joints Orthopaedic Specialists has five locations in the New York metro area.  Their multi-disciplinary team of physicians are board certified with fellowship and subspecialty training with expertise in sports medicine, trauma, hand and wrist, foot and ankle, and joint replacements.  They are pioneers of the latest advances and precise techniques in orthopedics.

Led by CEO Dr. Jay Bronner, AOP promises to fill the void in the market for a national orthopedic practice that focuses on quality care and clinical value. Dr. Bronner, previously President and Chief Medical Officer of Radiology Partners, helped build Radiology Partners into the largest radiology practice in the United States. Dr. Bronner and the AOP leadership team have a proven track record in clinical innovation and physician leadership. They are passionate about building a strong future for practices that join AOP.

 The physician-centric culture at AOP enables partners to lead the strategic, business, and clinical aspects of their practice with a collaborative approach to problem-solving, a shared vision of clinical excellence, peer engagement to propel evidence-based practice, an active voice in decision-making, and resources that foster growth and access to care.

AOP leadership believes physicians are best equipped to improve outcomes and reduce costs in healthcare. Physicians who join will help build clinical value, lead the orthopedic specialty, define meaningful clinical metrics, set national standards for best practices, and focus on patient-centric care.