Melbourne-Based First Choice Healthcare Solutions Set to Expand Into Indian River County

By  //  July 15, 2018

First Choice excited to announce expansion into Indian River County

ABOVE VIDEO: Dr. Raymond DeLorenzi of First Choice Medical Group talks with Space Coast Daily’s Alan Zlotorzynski about a revolutionary partial knee replacement surgery called a Makoplasty. Alan also speaks with a patient of Dr. DeLorenzi, who has two “Mako” procedures done on his knees. For more information call 321-725-2225 or log on to www.myfcmg.com

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – A few months ago, Chris Romandetti, president and CEO of First Choice Healthcare Solutions, told analysts covering his company that exciting things were about to happen at First Choice, the nation’s only non-physician owned, publicly traded company focused on the delivery of orthopeadic and spine care.

First Choice recently entered into a strategic partnership with Steward Health Care System (“Steward”), the largest for-profit private hospital operator in the United States.  The closing was formalized with Steward’s investment of $7.5 million in exchange for 5 million shares of FCHS stock.

First Choice is engaged in implementing a defined growth strategy aimed at building a network of integrated healthcare services providers which concentrate on treating patients in the following specialties: Orthopaedics, Spine, Interventional Pain Medicine and related diagnostic and ancillary services in key high growth markets, beginning with its recently announced expansion into Indian River County.

Steward is a physician-led health care services organization with 36 community hospitals in the United States and the country of Malta.

The Steward network includes more than 25 urgent care centers, 42 preferred skilled nursing facilities, substantial behavioral health services, over 7,300 beds under management, and approximately 1.5 million full risk covered lives through the company’s managed care and health insurance services.

“We are excited to announce our expansion into Indian River County,” said Chris Romandetti, president and CEO of First Choice Healthcare Solutions. “We will be hiring additional orthopedic surgeons, physician assistants and interventional pain physicians and developing and implementing a complete diagnostic and physical therapy facilities to service the area.”

As part of this alliance, First Choice has the opportunity to expand its orthopaedic and spine care delivery platform and its geographic reach into Steward’s nationwide hospital network.

Dr. Michael Callum, executive vice president for Steward’s Physician Services Group, expects a very productive relationship with First Choice.

“As a result of our partnership, we anticipate outcomes to improve, while simultaneously reducing healthcare costs across our network,” he said.

First Choice is serving Steward hospitals in Brevard and Indian River Counties, in addition to the partnership the company continues to serve Health First.

“We are excited to announce our expansion into Indian River County,” said Romandetti. “We will be hiring additional orthopedic surgeons, physician assistants and interventional pain physicians and developing and implementing a complete diagnostic and physical therapy facilities to service the area.”

Long-term plans additionally include evaluating the acquisition or development of an ambulatory surgery center, or ASC. Ultimately, patients in East Central Florida are the beneficiaries of this expansion, for residents of approximately 100 miles along the east coast of Florida will be able to conveniently access the comprehensive breadth of services that characterizes First Choice.

Unique Practice, Dynamic Multidisciplinary Team

First Choice Medical Group unique practice lies in the dynamics of a multidisciplinary team that benefits patients, employers and insurers by ensuring clinical excellence, cost-effectiveness and, most importantly, compassionate and effective pain treatment.

First Choice has been able to recruit from the nation’s top physicians because the practice allows Doctors to be Doctors since the non-physician-owned center handles all billing, purchasing, compliance and other non-medical issues. “It’s a highly efficient use of resources that results in a high level of patient satisfaction,” said Kris Jones, Vice President of Medical  Operations at First Choice Healthcare Solutions. “Strategically and synergistically, we put all of the patients’ needs under one roof.”

First Choice has been able to recruit from the nation’s top physicians because the practice allows Doctors to be Doctors since the non-physician-owned center handles all billing, purchasing, compliance and other non-medical issues.

Physicians can concentrate on treating patients in a clinically superior care facility that coordinates the patients’ continuum of care from initial diagnosis through treatment, recovery and beyond.

“It’s a highly efficient use of resources that results in a high level of patient satisfaction,” said Kris Jones, Vice President of Medical  Operations at First Choice Healthcare Solutions. “Strategically and synergistically, we put all of the patients’ needs under one roof.”

Healing begins as quickly as possible, thanks to promptly scheduled consultations that maximize the treatment plan for a quicker and optimal recovery.

“We attempt to minimize the inconveniences of treatment,” said Jones. “The quicker a patient gets treated, the quicker he or she will recover.”

Regularly scheduled consultations promote the most efficient use of the patient’s treatment plan, and a quicker, more complete and permanent recovery.

Minimally Invasive Treatment

A philosophy of minimally invasive treatment has demonstrated that three out of four First Choice patients are successfully treated without surgery. Even if surgery is the best option, patients can expect complicated procedures to be performed quicker and with less inconvenience and risks.

“Five years ago, a hip replacement required at least a five-day hospital stay,” said Romandetti. “These days, a patient can have a hip replaced and be home the next day.”

First Choice, which launched in 2012 with two physicians and 25 employees, has quickly blossomed into 41 providers – including physicians, physician assistants, physical therapists and advanced registered nurse practitioners – with a support staff of 170 individuals.

Dr. Kenneth Sands Performs Ground Breaking Knee Replacement Surgeries, Receives High Praise From PatientsRelated Story:
Dr. Kenneth Sands Performs Ground Breaking Knee Replacement Surgeries, Receives High Praise From Patients

For more information call 321-725-2225 or log on to www.myfcmg.com

The practice attracts world-class physicians such as Dr. Kenneth Sands, one of only a handful of doctors in the United States to be certified to perform total knee replacement that utilizes the new Journey II XR knee implant, which preserves the anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL.

Because of this revolutionary procedure, several of Dr. Sands’ patients have been able to walk on their own power soon after undergoing total knee replacement, in an outpatient setting, no less.

“This is total knee replacement that does not cut any of the four major ligaments, unlike with traditional implants, in which one or two ligaments are cut,” said Sands.

Romandetti notes that patients in Indian River County can expect the same caliber of service Brevard patients enjoy.

“We have already opened our doors in Indian River County and plan to expand significantly in the near future. We are transforming healthcare delivery, one patient at a time.”

First Choice Medical Group is located at 709 S. Harbor City Boulevard, Suite 100, in Melbourne, Florida. For more information, call 321-725-2225 or log on to www.myfcmg.com

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ABOVE MAP: First Choice Medical Group is based at 709 S. Harbor City Boulevard, Suite 100, in Melbourne, Florida.

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