News Information

Schneck Launches New Bone & Joint Center
September 22, 2009

New joint care center opens at Schneck Medical Center with specialized joint replacement program

Schneck Medical Center is pleased to announce the launch of its new Bone & Joint Center located on the Second Floor of the Medical Center. The Center features an innovative Joint Replacement Program aimed to streamline the recovery process for total joint replacement patients. In addition, Schneck welcomes the newest addition to the Seymour orthopedics team, Dr. Kristopher Williams, D.O.

A native of Madison and Jasper, Indiana, Dr. Williams joins Schneck as an orthopedic surgeon with extensive training in total joint replacement surgery, orthopedic trauma and injury, and sports medicine surgery. He earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Midwestern University in Chicago, where he also completed his Internship and Orthopedic Surgical Residency. He finished his residency at several prestigious teaching hospitals in the Chicago area. Dr. Williams, as well as Dr. David Laitinen and Dr. Jeffrey Ollo will be making referrals when appropriate to the Center.

The Joint Replacement Program at Schneck's Bone and Joint Center is designed to give patients the knowledge and tools to make the transition from hospital to home as smooth as possible. "Our goal is to focus on the total care experience of each patient, beginning with preoperative patient education and continuing throughout the entire recovery process," said Doris Rorick, RN, CMSRN, Joint Replacement Program coordinator.

As part of the Joint Replacement Program, patients attend preoperative training sessions before surgery, where they receive information about what to expect before, during and after their joint replacement. Patients are also encouraged to have a friend or family member act as a coach as they go through the process. Specially trained staff works exclusively in the orthopedics unit to help patients during the recovery process, and after patients undergo total joint replacement, they often begin walking with the assistance of a walker the day after surgery, as it is uniquely designed to diminish pain and recovery time following surgery.

The Joint Replacement program embraces a wellness atmosphere as a block of rooms are reserved for the joint replacement patients in an effort to provide a dedicated setting for patients undergoing similar surgeries. Patients are invited to wear their own comfortable clothing instead of hospital gowns, and they are encouraged to exercise and eat together as a group as they support one another during their hospital stay.

For more information on the Bone & Joint Center and the Joint Replacement Program or to register for a free joint replacement seminar, call Doris Rorick, Joint Replacement Program coordinator, at 812-523-7827.