As an orthopedic surgeon and veteran healthcare executive, Wael Barsoum, MD, sees the Biden administration taking steps to accelerate population health in orthopedics. Dr. Barsoum is current president and chief transformation officer at Phoenix-based HOPCo, a provider of musculoskeletal value-based outcomes, orthopedic service line and practice management. Here, he discusses his outlook for orthopedics in the coming years and what the Biden presidency could mean for the field.

HOPCo has acquired Stryker Performance Solutions, LLC.’s (SPS) value-based care business. HOPCo acquired SPS’ “BPCI-A [bundled payments for care improvement advanced] value-based care convener business and segments of SPS’ health system orthopedic service line analytics subscription business.” Several SPS employees will be joining HOPCo to ensure existing customers continue to receive service.

Ascension Florida and Gulf Coast and HOPCo have entered into an agreement to create a healthcare platform for musculoskeletal (MSK) care across north Florida. The agreement includes the development of ambulatory surgery centers and the first orthopedic specialty hospital in northeast Florida. The hospital will be located at the Ascension St. Vincent’s southside campus.

Ascension Florida and Gulf Coast announced it signed an agreement with Phoenix-based Healthcare Outcomes Performance Company to improve the quality of musculoskeletal care throughout North Florida, a news release said. In Northeast Florida, the partnership will include the development of ambulatory surgery centers and the first orthopedic specialty hospital in the region.

Jason Scalise, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Phoenix-based The CORE Institute and vice chairman of its management company HOPCo, outlines the practice’s main considerations as it prepares for elective surgeries to return.