Distribution Date: April 6, 2010
Release Date: Immediate
Contact: Thomas G. Honaker III, CEO
Phone: 724.465.2676

Indiana, PA – From its beginnings in mid 1990’s, the Center for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine has served the residents of Indiana and surrounding areas with patient care for all types of orthopaedic and musculoskeletal conditions.

And now, on April 16, the next era in orthopaedic services will begin when COSM breaks ground for its new, comprehensive services center, the Indiana Musculoskeletal Institute. Unlike its current physician only medical office at the 119 Professional Center on Wayne Ave., the complex will house numerous services at one location including outpatient physician services for orthopaedics and pain management, diagnostic and imaging, and physical therapy services. Additional space will be available for business offices and for a commercial pharmacy.

The groundbreaking, which follows five years of planning and site construction that officially began on March 15, will be held at 2:00 p.m. in the lot directly across Hospital Road from the Mack Park pool.

At the ceremony, COSM Chief Executive Officer Tom Honaker, III and COSM Board President Craig McKirgan, D.O., will be joined by other dignitaries to make remarks about the Institute’s planned services and design, and what the investment means to the Indiana community.

“We’re breaking ground for a new building that will become the new home of multi-functional and technologically advanced care that will provide seamless treatment for thousands of patients with orthopaedic injuries” says Honaker. “The Institute will only add to the range of services from COSM by making them available in one convenient location.”

Planning for the $15 million building began in 2002 prior to the time Honaker joined the practice as CEO in 2007. “The need for a new building and expanded services was evident years ago, however it has taken time to find land, secure financing and formulate the final design plans,” said Honaker who also acknowledged the work of the developer on the project, Madison Realty Group of Pittsburgh and its CEO Blaise Larkin with bringing the complex to reality. “I am pleased to play a part in the development of this exciting, state-of-the-art facility,” said Larkin. “This is a tremendous undertaking and the result of many years of effort on the part of COSM and Indiana Regional Medical Center (IRMC).”

The 44,000 square foot complex will include several treatment rooms dedicated to orthopaedic physician services, including pain management, an 8,000 square foot rehabilitation center, dedicated areas for diagnostics and imaging services, and approximately 2,000 square feet of commercial space for a new pharmacy. The design will allow for future expansion when needed.

Collaboration between COSM and IRMC is not new. The physicians and the hospital previously entered into a joint venture to form Indiana Total Therapy (ITT) in 2009 that offers outpatient physical and occupational therapy services at a central location on Shelly Drive in White Township. It is anticipated that ITT will remain a joint venture between IRMC and COSM. “This project would not be possible without the involvement and support of IRMC,” said Honaker who has strongly supported increased collaboration on both sides to achieve a more efficient delivery of services for the community. According to IRMC President and CEO Steve Wolfe, “Having COSM as a partner enables us to expand services with a well known group of physicians who have shown their commitment to advancing the level of orthopaedic care and our collaboration serves to strengthen us as a medical community in the eyes of the consumer.”

The Institute’s clinical care will focus on the entire spectrum of orthopaedic injuries, from sports injuries to joint replacements. Physician services also include physiatry and pain management, and podiatry. COSM has steadily expanded its services adding COSM Rehab in Indiana in 2006 and another rehab center in Homer City in 2008. In addition, two new partners Howard P. Miller, DPM and Bruce C. Knickelbein, DPM joined the practice in the past two years, bringing the total number of partners to six. McKirgan summarized the growth of COSM and the building project as “a significant milestone in consolidating our range of services under one roof that will considerably improve patient care and access. Over the years, our team has worked with very limited space and it has been challenging at times for patients to access all of our services. This new facility will provide a one-stop destination for musculoskeletal services for the community and IUP. It will also provide a destination for other physician specialties to offer services in the future.”

The 15-acre tract where the Institute will be built sits adjacent to the J.S. Mack Community Park and the Kovalchick family property. The acreage was purchased from longtime owner Dr. Robert Runzo. COSM credits Indiana Attorney Jonathan Mack and the Mack Park Board of Directors with providing assistance with linkages to existing sanitary, water and natural gas underground piping utilities.

The building itself has been designed to maximize natural light and create a relaxed atmosphere for patients as evidenced by the artist’s rendering from IKM Incorporated, a Pittsburgh based architectural and design firm. Work toward achieving a LEED certification will be pursued.