Here are 10 things to know about Des Plaines-based Illinois Bone and Joint Institute in 2020.
1. Illinois Bone and Joint Institute embarked on a merger and acquisition spree this year. Becker's Spine Review reported on five partnerships.
2. Practices that have merged with IBJI include Northwest Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine in Chicago, Hinsdale (Ill.) Orthopaedic Associates, Bradley, Ill.-based Oak Orthopedics and Chicago Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine.
3. IBJI CEO André Blom told Becker's Spine Review in an interview that more expansions are planned but wasn't able to provide further details.
4. Mr. Blom said the COVID-19 pandemic gave the practice time to accelerate consolidations.
5. IBJI is one of the largest orthopedic practices in the U.S., with 124 physicians and surgeons as of July this year.
6. The practice opened a physician office in Kildeer, Ill.
7. IBJI initiated drive-thru COVID-19 testing for pre-surgical patients in May.
8. The pandemic caused the center to briefly pause elective surgeries. They were resumed in May.
9. Illinois Bone and Joint Institute surgeon Mark Mikhael, MD, told Becker's Spine Review he saw virtual and augmented reality as tools to help with spinal navigation, but didn't think they would be fully adopted for another five years.
10. The practice opened a sports medicine facility with same-day access in January.