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Appalachian Regional Healthcare System Opens New Appalachian Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Center

July 30, 2013. Are you struggling with a lingering injury and frustrated with having to leave the mountain for orthopaedic care?

Appalachian Regional Healthcare System (ARHS) is pleased to offer a new option with the opening of Appalachian Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Center.

“A few years ago, ARHS noticed a gap in access to orthopaedic care in the High Country,” shared Robert Johnston, Director of Operations for Appalachian Regional Medical Associates. 

“The goal with this new practice is to provide a convenient, top quality of care option for High Country residents to address orthopaedic and sports related health concerns.”

Drs., Ekman, Vaughn and DeVault
Drs., Ekman, Vaughn and DeVault

Appalachian Regional Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Center’s team of family oriented, highly experienced physicians will provide general orthopaedic consults, rehabilitation consults, surgical and non-surgical treatment, gait assessments, physical medicine and sports medicine. The practice will feature the most advanced orthopaedic technologies available including advanced x-ray equipment, Ultrasound Guided Injections and Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy, a non-surgical procedure that helps heal chronic pain associated with tendon injuries. 

 Board Certified Physicians

William L. “Bill” DeVault, M.D. is a Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon who received his medical degree at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and did his residency at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. He completed the Lacey Fellowship in Sports Medicine and Knee Reconstruction at the Jewett Orthopaedic Clinic in Orlando, Florida, and completed another fellowship with the NBA’s Orlando Magic team.

Dr. DeVault has medical licenses in Georgia, Montana, Louisiana, South Carolina, Virginia and North Carolina. He has experience in a private practice setting, as well as, serving the NCAA Division I, and Division II, National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) in Secondary School Sports.

Evan F. Ekman, M.D. a Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon completed his undergraduate and medical degrees at the University of Kentucky. He completed a surgical internship and an orthopaedic surgery residency at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and completed fellowships at the National Institutes of Health and at the Kerlan- Jobe Clinic.

Before joining ARHS, Dr. Ekman was the President of Southern Orthopaedic Sports Medicine and the Medical Director for the Palmetto Health Alliance/ Parkridge Surgery Center. He has published more than 50 peer-reviewed articles and has been a guest lecturer in more than 60 countries.

Gavin Vaughn, M.D. is a Physiatrist of physical medicine and rehabilitation physician who specializes in non-surgical sports medicine and musculoskeletal medicine.

Dr. Vaughn received his medical degree at the University of Kansas School of Medicine and completed his residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Missouri Health Care. He completed fellowship training in sports medicine at East Carolina University and served as the primary physician for eight East Carolina University Division I athletic teams and the University of Missouri club sports. He is certified in diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound and ultrasound-guided injections. Prior to joining ARHS, Vaughn was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Orthopeadic Surgery at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Appalachian Regional Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Center will offer a patient navigator, or patient assistant, to help assist patients and their families through the continuum of care available through ARHS.

“The new Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine center adds depth to the present rehabilitation and wellnessteams of ARHS,” stated Jeanne Bradshaw PT, Executive Director of Rehabilitation and Wellness at ARHS. “The overall goal of the orthopaedic service line is to improve orthopaedic patient outcomes; by working together, from all angles including, inpatient services, outpatient services, post-acute care, wellness and sports to elevate the level of care available in the High Country.”

The High Country is home to a variety of sports teams and a growing retiree population. “ARHS chose to establish a practice at this time to ensure that our community has access to orthopaedic services here at home,” said Kim Bianca, RN, Senior VP of Outpatient Service Lines for ARHS. “Our practice will be able to help a broad spectrum of patients from an elderly person with a broken hip to an adolescent or young person with a variety of sports related injuries.”

Located at 870 State Farm Road, Suite 100 in Boone, Appalachian Regional Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Center will focus on providing patient-centered care and quick scheduling for the High Country and surrounding communities. The practice will be open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

For more information about the Appalachian Regional Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Center, call 828-386-BONE or visit www.apprhs.org/orthopaedic-and-sports-medicine-center.