New dedicated orthopedic walk-in care coming to Bay City
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BAY CITY - On Sept. 2, MyMichigan Health will open WellSport OrthoPROMPT, the Great Lakes Bay Region's first dedicated orthopedic walk-in clinic, according to a MyMichigan Health press release on Thursday.
Located within MyMichigan Health Park Bay, this new service provides access to orthopedic experts with shorter wait times than a standard emergency room visit. WellSport OrthoPROMPT will operate Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
According to the release, patients experiencing sudden sports injuries, sprains, strains, or minor falls often choose between waiting days for a specialist appointment or spending hours in an emergency room. MyMichigan WellSport OrthoPROMPT provides an alternative by offering immediate access to specialized orthopedic evaluation and treatment.
"General urgent care centers and emergency departments treat a wide range of conditions, from routine illnesses to life-threatening emergencies," Kiel Beltinck, orthopedic surgeon and Musculoskeletal Service Line Chief at MyMichigan Health, said in the release. "Our facility is designed exclusively for musculoskeletal health, allowing us to focus entirely on specialized orthopedic care and recovery from the moment a patient arrives."
While standard urgent care clinics typically focus on initial triage and stabilization, WellSport OrthoPROMPT was developed to deliver comprehensive orthopedic diagnostics and treatment during the initial visit, the release stated.
This specialized care encompasses immediate evaluation and treatment for acute, non-life-threatening conditions, including sports injuries, closed fractures, sudden joint swelling, muscle strains, and minor falls, according to MyMichigan Health. While the clinic specializes in rapid musculoskeletal care, patients presenting with open fractures, severe lacerations, or suspected head trauma and concussions should proceed directly to the nearest emergency department.
"MyMichigan Health currently serves as the official sports medicine partner for top athletic organizations across Mid-Michigan, including Central Michigan University, Alma College, Northwood University, Lake Superior State University, Mid Michigan College, the Great Lakes Loons, the Dow Tennis Classic, and more than 20 local high school athletic programs, including Bay City Central, Bay City Western High School, John Glenn High School, and Garber High School," Michael Wahoviak, director of the Musculoskeletal Service Line at MyMichigan Health, said in the release. "Through WellSport OrthoPROMPT we wanted to extend this same network of specialized sports medicine experts to the general public, giving local residents access to collegiate- and professional-grade orthopedic care."
Community members are invited to explore WellSport OrthoPROMPT during a public open house on Sept. 1, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the staff and learn about the specialized orthopedic services offered. This free event will also feature hands-on activities, including balance testing, finger casting demonstrations for kids, injury prevention tips and strategies, as well as video movement analysis tailored for golf, running, and throwing. Guests will enjoy complimentary popcorn, ice cream, giveaways, and entry into a prize drawing.
Those who would like additional information about MyMichigan's WellSport OrthoPROMPT may visit mymichigan.org/orthoprompt.