East-side medical practice expands again in two new ways

A couple years ago around this time, Wichita’s Advanced Orthopaedic Associates announced it was building a new 47,000-square-foot building at 9828 E. Shannon Woods, just south of K-96 and Webb Road and just east of its previous practice.

Then in 2023, AOA started the AOA NOW- Orthopedic Immediate Care clinic at its new office.

Now, the physician-owned practice has expanded again in two new ways.

The first is with a new Dodge City office.

AOA executive director Amanda Ermey said the five-day-a-week practice will be staffed by a physician assistant to treat cases such as broken bones and sprains, and AOA surgeons will rotate out there as well.

However, most surgical cases will be treated in the Wichita practice and then have follow-up care in Dodge City as needed.

“They don’t have to be driving back and forth,” Ermey said of Dodge City residents and others near there.

She said the opportunity for the office came when a Dodge City physician was leaving his practice.

“It sort of fell in our lap, actually.”

AOA isn’t looking to open more sites now, but Ermey said, “We’re always open to seeing what’s out there.”

It has, though, also partnered with an app called HURT! that provides 24-7 access to athletic trainers and surgeons for people to get answers to orthopedic questions at any hour.

The experts can, for instance, help worried parents know if their children’s injuries need to be seen immediately or if they can opt for scheduled appointments instead.

Ermey said the practice will be able to analyze when most of the calls come to determine if perhaps its immediate care clinic needs to expand its hours.

She said it’s just another layer of care AOA can offer.

Patients love the immediate care, Ermey said.

They repeatedly say “this is the greatest thing we’ve ever done,” she said.

“It’s just been a great experience.”