The full range of musculoskeletal services—all under one roof—in Carmel.
By Charlotte Stefanski, cstefanski@iuhealth.org, writer for IU Health’s Indianapolis Suburbs
From physical therapy to orthopedic surgery, IU Health is rethinking how it delivers musculoskeletal services in the north.
Starting this January, the Indianapolis community and beyond will have access to these services and more—all in one location—at Methodist Medical Plaza North, 201 Pennsylvania Pkwy Suite 100 in Carmel.
With many of these services previously provided at IU Health North Hospital, doctors and team members will now provide state-of-the-art care at the new location. It is equipped with all the necessary resources, including x-rays, MRIs, CT scanners, laboratories, and a surgical center.
Dan Wurtz, an orthopedic surgeon who has worked with IU Health for 25 years, said the design is novel to Indiana and possibly surrounding states.
“It’s all about accessibility and convenience for the patient; same-day service, immediate consultation—even if it’s taking the patient down the hallway to another provider who may have more expertise in one area,” he said.
A growing need
The new location at Methodist Medical Plaza North will be able to better accommodate the growing practice, but it won’t be just another chiropractic clinic. Instead, it will provide a full range of musculoskeletal services.
Service lines in the suites include sports medicine, orthopedics, physiotherapy and rehabilitation, neurosurgery, anesthesia, rheumatology and plastic surgery.
Clinical programs also include athletics (surgical and non-surgical), hip and knee replacement, upper extremity and hand, spine, orthopedic oncology, pain, osteoporosis, soft tissue reconstruction and save limbs, and treat foot diseases.
“That will be what really sets us apart from our competitors in the northern region,” said Eric Hall, vice president of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at IU Health Physicians. “We can really provide any kind of musculoskeletal care in one place, one location.”
Holistic care is key
Creating a comprehensive care space in musculoskeletal services will have a great impact on patients, especially in terms of convenience.
Wurtz hears it all the time. Someone may have an appointment for a problem, only to be told that their problem cannot be resolved by the doctor they are seeing. Instead, they have to reschedule the appointment, usually at a different location.
With so many musculoskeletal specialties available in one space, it’s likely that someone there will have the expertise needed.
In this multidisciplinary venue, providers will also have access to different forms of care for their patients that they may not have received before, such as physical therapy.
“That person may not be available that day, but at least you have a chance to get in touch with the place that will take care of you,” says Wurtz. “Identified with that place, I think could be helpful.”
What should the community know?
As physicians and team members move into new spaces, the community should know that the position is growing, with six additional inactive providers being added to the team.
Both the no-show clinic and same-day appointments will be available at the new location. The office hours of the unscheduled clinic are 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
This new location is primarily for adult services. Riley Children’s Health chiropractic services will remain at IU Health North Hospital.
Wurtz notes that if anything more complicated arises in a patient’s care—whether non-surgical, part-time, or involving other specialties—North Hospital is nearby.
“I want the community to know that while we are calling this suite a multidisciplinary clinic with a wide range of musculoskeletal services, it will still be connected to other services needed for all patients at IU. Health North.”
endless opportunities
When the space opened this month, both Hall and Wurtz were thrilled to see the response from both patients and doctors working there.
And as the program continues to grow, they also look forward to the educational component of the site for residents and fellows at Indiana University School of Medicine. There will also be more research opportunities.
“What I would expect is to see the response of both the patient and the provider taking over this space at the same time,” says Wurtz. “Because I think it’s a cut above what most have been through. That would be very satisfying.
Want to make an appointment? For office visits and general inquiries, call: 317,944.9400. Click here to get more information.
