Published online with SURGistrategies

January 2009

This all-in-one pain management haven, Austin Pain Associates Medical Center, is a definitive model of the future. What began as Dr. Robert Wills’ pioneer insight is now a tri-entity medical campus serving a once underserved area in South Austin. The 5,500 square foot, three OR, Stonegate Surgery Center is nestled within the compounds of a 3,000-squarefoot physical therapy facility — consisting in part of one large treatment room, a gym, and 10 exam rooms — and an adjacent 8,500-square-foot physician office suite.

The trio of facilities employs about 70 employees combined, 25 of which work exclusively at Stonegate. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of this model is its Restore FX chronic pain program. Patients dealing with chronic pain come to the program, set up as a daily job from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and work with therapists for daily doses of both physical and mental therapy. Each day wraps up with a visit with onsite job counselors, and “graduates” of the program are eventually placed in positions within the community that fit their newfound abilities. The program boasts a 90 percent back to work ratio.

“We provide a great service to the community,” says Jared Leger, director of surgical services at Stonegate Surgery Center. “Being part of a large system … the doctors’ offices, physical therapy, and the surgery center … we call it a multi-disciplinary approach to pain management. You get everything done in the same complex.”

The center recently completed its AAAHC survey for accreditation, and continues to thrive under its management company, Arise Healthcare. “Arise Healthcare has been an instrumental partner in this project, from feasibility to ongoing management,” Leger adds.