Service Line Update: Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Access Expanded for Comprehensive Services

By: Gary Blake, service line vice president, orthopedics and sports medicine

The orthopedic and sports medicine service lines have had a successful year of progress through enhanced services, new programs, and new physicians. The result of these efforts has increased access to our care and has broadened the already comprehensive services provided at various orthopedic and sports medicine locations.

Sports Medicine Access

The sports medicine program has 37 high school and three university partnerships. Providing easy access to this population is important, but there has also been significant growth in non-school age individuals. As our population continues to take greater responsibility for their health, many are prioritizing fitness and seeking access to care for various injuries. Sports medicine providers worked collaboratively to expand their schedules to make sure there is easy and prompt access to our seven fellowship-trained family practice/sports medicine physicians. These individuals see a range of activity-related issues and work closely with orthopedists to ensure conservative treatments.

New Physicians

In the past year, we have welcomed Karen Shafer, MD, and Aloiya Earl, MD, to the sports medicine program at Miami Valley Hospital South. Both physicians are fellowship-trained and cover local schools as team physicians. Dr. Earl is the team physician for Bellbrook High School and Dr. Shafer is the team physician for Chaminade Julienne High School.

Program Introduction

Jennifer Jerele, MD, has championed the initiation of the Fragility Fracture Program. The program identifies patients entering Miami Valley Hospital who have a fracture related to osteoporosis. Utilizing best practice processes from the international Own the Bone program, Dr. Jerele and her team provide support to the patient to reduce potential for secondary fractures.

Recognition and Awards

• The 2020 U.S. News & World Report rankings placed Miami Valley Hospital, including Miami Valley Hospital South and Miami Valley Hospital North, as the No. 1 orthopedic hospital in the Dayton market.
• HealthGrades honored Miami Valley Hospital with the Joint Replacement Excellence Award for the third consecutive year. The hospital is the only one in the area to receive the award.
• HealthGrades gave Atrium Medical Center and Upper Valley Medical Center the Patient Safety Excellence Award in 2019.
• Anthem Blue Distinction was awarded to Atrium Medical Center for hip and knee replacement in 2019.

Back to the November 2019 issue of Premier Pulse.