F. Todd Wetzel, MD, joined Bassett Healthcare Network as chief of orthopedics, according to The Daily Star.
Here are five things to know:
1. Dr. Wetzel previously served as vice chair of orthopedic surgery and sports medicine for Temple University School of Medicine, a position he's held for the past decade. He originally joined temple in 2004 as a professor of orthopedic surgery and neurosurgery.
2. As chief of orthopedics at Bassett, Dr. Wetzel plans to increase orthopedic services as well as boost patient access to care. According to the report, Bassett is recruiting additional sports medicine and orthopedic specialists, including a hand surgeon.
3. Dr. Wetzel has been president of the North American Spine Society and touts conservative care to relieve back pain as a first line of intervention.
4. The new role at Bassett offers Dr. Wetzel the opportunity to work in rural healthcare; he has been interested in the pressures on rural healthcare for several years and hopes to improve access through increased hours for generalists and ensuring patients can be seen in a "timely manner."
5. Dr. Wetzel plans to reorganize the department of orthopedics by subspecialties to improve the overall quality of care.