FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 14, 2024
Contact:
Heather Benjamin
Regional Director of Marketing
OrthoAlliance
614-839-2142
[email protected]
JIS ORTHOPEDICS ADDING TWO NEW ORTHOPEDIC SURGEONS IN SEPTEMBER
NEW ALBANY, Ohio – JIS Orthopedics is pleased to announce that two new physicians – Alexander Athey, MD, and Nicholas Walla, MD – are joining the growing practice on September 3rd and will treat patients at JIS offices in New Albany and St. Clairsville.
JIS Orthopaedics President Adolph V. Lombardi Jr., MD, said Dr. Athey will be a tremendous asset to the practice and the community.
“We set out to search for the most qualified individuals to work with us,” Dr. Lombardi said. “Dr. Athey completed his residency at the Mayo Clinic, and every one of his instructors and mentors had nothing but glowing things to say about him, calling him one of the best residents they had in a long time.”
“Our concentration in hip and knee replacement continues to grow,” Dr. Lombardi said. “Dr. Athey completed two fellowships in trauma and joint replacement. We welcome him and his expertise, experience, and training to improve our service to the communities where he will treat and see patients.”
“Since 2009, JIS Orthopedics has expanded what we offer to community by building a practice of highly skilled and expertly trained orthopedic surgeons in multiple orthopedic subspecialties,” said Jason Hurst, M.D., of JIS Orthopedics. “Adding Dr. Walla to our group was critical to growing how we treat our patients with sports medicine needs. Dr. Walla is a dedicated Ohio native with extensive experience in treating both the elite and amateur athlete who was recruited to bring novel arthroscopic techniques, modern sports medicine knowledge, and a strong desire to care for all levels of sports related injury. As a well-respected and beloved orthopedic resident at OSU, we are so excited he chose to join our practice and help us grow how we take care of the central Ohio community.”
Dr. Athey brings a wealth of experience to JIS Orthopedics. He earned his undergraduate degree in microbiology from the University of Texas at Austin and his medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. His training includes a residency in Orthopedic Surgery at the Mayo Clinic, fellowships in Orthopedic Traumatology at the University of Washington Harborview Medical Center, and Adult Hip and Knee Reconstruction at Rothman Orthopaedics at Thomas Jefferson University.
“I am excited to join JIS Orthopedics because of their outstanding reputation within the community. I look forward to contributing to their legacy of providing excellent care to the Columbus area,” Dr. Athey said. “Columbus holds a special place in my heart. Growing up as the son of an Army officer, I moved around a lot, but visiting Columbus annually to see my grandparents made it feel like home.”
Dr. Athey said he primarily treats conditions affecting joints, trauma related to hip and knee replacements, and painful hip and knee replacements.
“What’s particularly thrilling is the continuous evolution of technology and techniques in Orthopedics,” Dr. Athey said. “The introduction of robotics in joint replacement surgery represents an exciting new advancement, enhancing the precision and customization of procedures. Additionally, with streamlined postoperative protocols, patients can hope for quicker recoveries and more outpatient surgeries, improving patient comfort and outcomes.”
Dr. Athey’s commitment to patient care is unwavering. He is excited about the continuous evolution of technology and techniques in Orthopedics, particularly the advances in implant durability that have extended the lifespan of hip and knee replacements when placed with meticulous precision. His goal is to make a meaningful difference in his patients’ lives, and he will strive to deliver high-quality care using the latest advancements in orthopedic surgery.
When he’s not treating and seeing patients, Dr. Athey enjoys spending time with his family, watching football, golfing, and traveling. These personal interests help him maintain a balanced life, which in turn, benefits his patients.
Dr. Walla received his undergraduate degree in biology from The Ohio State University, where he also completed his residency in orthopedic surgery. He received his medical degree from The University of Toledo and completed a fellowship in Orthopedic Sports Medicine at UMass Memorial Health Center.
“I joined JIS Orthopedics to partner with some of the best surgeons the area has to offer,” Dr. Walla said. As an Ohio native, I strive to deliver the highest-quality orthopedic sports medicine care to the community that I have grown to love.”
“The most fulfilling aspect of this career is making a palpable difference in the lives of my patients,” he said. “My goal is to return the ones who have stumbled along the way so they can resume these activities.”
Dr. Walla has extensive experience caring for athletes. He served as the team physician for the AAA Worcester Red Sox minor league baseball team and provided sports medicine services to Worcester State University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Holy Cross University, Capital University, and the Columbus City Schools.
At JIS, Dr. Walla will care for patients with sports-related and non-sports-related injuries and ailments.
“Orthopedic surgery is at the forefront of innovation within the field of medicine,” he said. “There is a constant drive to meticulously improve implants to allow patients to return to function and sustain that state with their durability. Minimally invasive techniques are continuously refined to allow patients to return to sports and activities as soon as possible.”
When he is not treating and seeing patients, Dr. Walla enjoys spending time with his family, golfing, working out, smoking meat, and tasting bourbon.
JIS Orthopedics’ experienced providers treat orthopedic conditions, including joint replacement, sports medicine, spine, hip, knee, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand care. For acute orthopedic injuries, JIS Orthopedic Priority Care offers same-day appointments at both locations.
JIS Orthopedics is a partner practice of OrthoAlliance, an Ohio-based management services organization formed in partnership with leading Midwest physician practices and Revelstoke Capital Partners, a Denver-based private equity firm. The company is building one of the country’s leading orthopedic management organizations, providing operations, marketing, and patient experience expertise and resources to partner practices at the forefront of life-changing advances in orthopedics and sports medicine.
Since 2019, OA has proliferated to 200+ physicians and more than 2,000 employees.
About JIS Orthopedics
Founded in 1972, JIS Orthopedics has been an innovative leader in orthopedics with nationally recognized physicians. With two Ohio clinic locations in New Albany and St. Clairsville and more than 150 years of collective experience, JIS specializes in total joint replacements, sports medicine, and general orthopedics. Their team of ten physicians and more than 80 staff members is committed to getting patients back to living a vibrant, pain-free lifestyle.
OrthoAlliance
OrthoAlliance is a nationally leading patient-centered, physician-led management services organization that helps orthopedic practices grow and thrive in an ever-changing healthcare landscape. Formed in partnership with leading Midwest physician practices and Revelstoke Capital Partners, a Denver-based private equity firm, in 2019, OrthoAlliance’s partner practices feature 200+ physicians across all orthopedics and sports medicine specialties. OrthoAlliance strives to attract the most talented physicians and staff and deliver the highest-quality care in the industry.