Pictured, from left, are Physical Therapist Matthew Hauck, Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Phillip Penny, CEO of Lutheran Health Network KCH Kirk Ray, CEO of Lutheran Orthopaedic Hospital Shelly Miller, Dr. Jason Russell and Warsaw Mayor Joseph Thallemer.

WARSAW — Lutheran Health Network KCH hosted a groundbreaking ceremony yesterday, Oct. 18, for the new Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Complex.

Optimum Performance Sports will be located next to DePuy Synthes on US 30, at the old United Telephone Company location. Construction is now underway with an anticipated completion of March 2018. 

“Ten years ago I was thinking, what does this community need? We need a facility where athletes can come and learn how to move better,” said Physical Therapist Matthew Hauck during the groundbreaking. “We are super excited about this and we look forward to expanding our services.

OPS is Lutheran Health Network’s sports medicine program. Its core components include sports performance, sports medicine and physical therapy. The OPS Warsaw program will be operated by trained staff of OPS and the KCH Regional Rehabilitation Center.

“I am certainly awed by what’s going on out here,” said Warsaw Mayor Joseph Thallemer. “It’s a partnership, it’s an investment in the community. It really solidifies our community as the orthopedic capital of the world.”

OPS offers the only sports program in northeastern Indiana that is dedicated to improving the biochemicals of athletes. The expansion of services is a collaboration between Lutheran Health Network KCH and the Orthopedic Hospital of Lutheran Health Network to meet the needs of regional athletes.

“KCH is developing a coordinated and comprehensive orthopedic and sports medicine program to complement and support school collaborations, patients and community needs. We believe this is another step toward enhancing orthopedic care in Warsaw, the orthopedic capital of the world,” said Kirk Ray, CEO of Lutheran Health Network KCH.

Within the 12,600 square-foot space, a physical therapy clinic will be available with an emphasis on sports physical therapy. In addition to PT treatment, the facility will include a regulation sized, 1/2 court basketball court, a turf section and a rubber gym floor for specific sports training. The weight room will provide strength training and functional movement equipment designed for sports performance training. The location will also include a orthopedic driven walk-in urgent care.