Submitted by Puget Sound Orthopaedics
Puget Sound Orthopaedics (PSO) has become the largest independent orthopedic practice in Pierce County since seven surgeons from Tacoma CHI Franciscan Health Orthopedics, Spine, Sports Medicine and Podiatry, formerly Tacoma Orthopaedic Surgeons, officially joined the independent practice Jan. 4. The combined practice now includes 15 board-certified orthopedic surgeons, two podiatrists, eleven certified physician assistants and a support staff of 110.
“As a group of surgeons, we believed that we can better serve our patients and provide them with
more care options by merging with an independent practice such as Puget Sound Orthopaedics,”
said Richard Gray, MD, formerly with the CHI Franciscan orthopedic group and Tacoma Orthopaedic Surgeons. “With Puget Sound Orthopaedics’ Surgery Center in Lakewood, we can offer quicker and less expensive care with faster recovery time in an outpatient setting, as compared with a hospital operating room,” said Dr. Gray.
PSO Administrator April Gibson, who played a key role in merging the two surgeon groups, is working with staff from both CHI Franciscan and PSO to oversee the transition, including transferring patient records. Gibson says finding space for everyone is a pressing issue.
“We’re in ongoing growth mode right now,” says Gibson. “We’ll be adding office and practice space to accommodate the influx of staff.” A new clinic opening Jan. 11 in Gig Harbor will have additional practice space for surgeons and staff.
PSO has two clinic locations in Tacoma and Lakewood. It also operates Lakewood Surgery Center and Puget Sound Imaging, a MRI diagnostic imaging suite in Tacoma. With two operating rooms, the Lakewood Surgery Center can accommodate up to 3,000 outpatient surgeries per year.
Originally established in 1990 as Lakewood Orthopaedic Surgeons, Puget Sound Orthopaedics serves the Puget Sound region with comprehensive orthopedic care in musculoskeletal disorders. PSO surgeons’ subspecialties range from joint replacement, shoulder, upper and lower extremity treatment, to sports medicine, spinal and podiatric care.
