New England Baptist, Physicians and Shields Health Care Team Up

Massachusetts is welcoming a new orthopedic facility bordering Dedham and Westwood, operated in partnership between New England Baptist Hospital, its physicians and Shields Health Care Group. The 66, 000 square foot facility is known as “The New England Baptist Outpatient Care Center in Partnership with Shields Health Care Group.”

“As a musculoskeletal specialty care organization, the Baptist has been able to provide patients with exceptional care developed through evidence-based protocols. We are thrilled to be able to offer this same outstanding care closer to where many of our patients live, ” said Trish Hannon, CEO of the New England Baptist Hospital, in the September 24, 2013 news release.

The new orthopedic facility includes a 33, 000 square foot ambulatory surgery center with eight operating rooms, and it is expected to serve a broad population of patients who currently travel into Boston. Among the many services offered by the Baptist in the new facility are wellness programs including acupuncture and massage, occupational medicine, and a spine center dedicated specifically to non-surgical treatment and education for patients with who suffer from acute and chronic back pain.

Shields will provide advanced imaging services at the outpatient care center, which is part of Shields Health Care Group’s growing network of high quality diagnostic services that patients and physicians know they can trust. Additionally, Shields is partner and developer in this unique facility.

“We are delighted to be collaborating with New England Baptist Hospital bringing together the best of the best in one location. Partnerships like this are the future of health care. Shields is known for our high-quality services in convenient locations at an affordable price. We’re proud to add to our network with services in Dedham, ” said Tom Shields, Jr. President of Shields Health Care Group.

Carol Hartigan, M.D., a physiatrist at the New England Baptist Hospital, told OTW, “Our non-surgical spine care treatment takes patients through an intense exercise program aimed at reducing back pain and allowing individuals to perform all of the activities they enjoy. Individuals with back pain are often told to avoid certain activities, and as a result their muscles become de-conditioned. At the Spine Center, we take what some consider a counterintuitive approach, working to recondition and strengthen the very muscles that are hurting. Research published by the hospital has proven this method to be effective in reducing pain in the long term and improving the way the back functions.”

Rachel Rosenblum, VP of Ambulatory Operations and Program Development at the New England Baptist Hospital, told OTW, “In opening this outpatient care center, we’ve made a promise to patients that the center will serve as a single destination for musculoskeletal care—we’ll evaluate our success based on how well we’ve delivered on that promise. Looking at feedback we receive related to patient satisfaction, we’ll determine not only whether we’ve delivered on our promise to patients, but whether we’ve done so in the most friendly, compassionate, and service-oriented way possible.”