With a steady influx of new residents arriving in Indian River County, finding timely and affordable healthcare has become difficult.
The challenge is compounded by a growing number of physicians shifting to concierge models, leaving many patients struggling to find providers who accept insurance and are taking new patients. This results in delayed care, crowded emergency rooms, and a fragmented healthcare experience.
In response to that widening gap, Vero Orthopaedics has stepped beyond its traditional role of providing orthopedic care and opened a primary care practice designed to effectively serve the community.
“Vero Orthopaedics opened primary care in direct response to a clear and growing need,” said Jennifer Davidson Rossmell, chief executive officer.
“Indian River County, like many areas in Florida, is experiencing a shortage of primary care providers, particularly those who accept insurance and are taking new patients. As a long-standing, physician-led practice serving this community for 50 years, we felt a responsibility to help close the gap and ensure patients have access to timely, coordinated care close to home.”
Primary care is often referred to as the front door of the healthcare system, serving as the first point of contact for preventive services, early diagnosis and chronic disease management.
Without access to that entry point, patients are more likely to delay care or seek treatment in urgent care centers and emergency departments – settings not designed to manage long-term health needs.
Importantly, the new primary care practice is open to the entire community, not just existing Vero Orthopaedics patients.
“While many of our orthopedic patients needed a primary care provider, our goal was broader,” Rossmell explained. “We wanted to expand access to care for anyone in the community seeking an in-network primary care physician.”
Vero Orthopaedics currently sees an average of approximately 800 patients a day across its practices, a number that continues to grow as demand rises for providers who accept insurance.
Another significant obstacle the practice aims to address is how long patients must wait to be seen.
“Our philosophy of timely access remains core to who we are,” Rossmell added. “While primary care scheduling differs from orthopedic urgent care, we prioritize prompt appointments and same-day or next-day access whenever possible, especially for acute concerns.”
Two primary care providers now manage a full spectrum of routine and chronic health needs, including hypertension, diabetes, respiratory infections, preventive care, annual physicals, weight management, medication management, and coordination of specialty care when needed.
“We look at the patient’s overall health and wellbeing versus just addressing a joint issue,” said Stella Giovinazzo-Perez, advanced practice registered nurse with Vero Orthopaedics Primary Care. “Like our colleagues in the orthopedic practice, we take a holistic approach to treating the whole person, not just the symptoms.”
That holistic, integrated approach offers patients convenience and continuity of care. “We do preoperative and postoperative checkups, and because we’re part of the larger orthopedic practice, we can offer onsite testing for bone density, as well as MRI and EKG scans,” Giovinazzo-Perez said. “Being part of an integrated network eliminates the need for patients to go elsewhere for many services.”
Integrated care models are increasingly recognized for improving outcomes by reducing delays, improving communication between providers, and simplifying the patient experience. For older adults and patients managing multiple conditions, having primary care and specialty services connected under one system can make navigating healthcare far less overwhelming.
The primary care practice is quickly gaining momentum as awareness grows. “We already see about 40 patients a day between our Sebastian and Vero Beach locations, and we’re poised to expand as demand increases,” Giovinazzo-Perez noted. “We focus on health promotion, longevity and quality of life. We build relationships with our patients and their families. Ultimately, we want our patients to thrive.”
Vero Orthopaedics’ unified care model employs a staff of 16 physicians, eight physician assistants and two nurse practitioners providing orthopedic subspecialty services, orthopedic urgent care, primary care, physical medicine and rehabilitation, neurology, on-site physical and occupational therapy, surgical and non-surgical treatments, advanced diagnostic imaging and ambulatory surgery center services.
Founded 50 years ago, in 1976, Vero Orthopaedics is reaffirming its long-standing commitment to patient-centered care – one that prioritizes access, coordination and keeping local residents healthier, closer to home.
Primary care services are available at the Vero Beach location at 3955 Indian River Boulevard and the Sebastian location at 801 Wellness Way, Suite 100. To schedule an appointment, call or text 772-569-2330 or visit veroortho.com.
