OrthoVirginia, based in Richmond and Northern Virginia, and the Orthopaedic Center of Central Virginia (OCCV), based in Lynchburg, have announced their merger effective Jan. 1, 2016. The OCCV name will change to OrthoVirginia; its offices will stay at their current location of 2405 Atherholt Road in Lynchburg.

The Orthopaedic Center of Central Virginia is the largest multidisciplinary musculoskeletal group practice in the Lynchburg area, with 18 physicians. OrthoVirginia is an 80+ physician orthopaedic specialty group practice with 21 office locations in Richmond, central and northern Virginia.

OrthoVirginia remains the largest orthopaedic specialty group practice in Virginia, with 105 physicians, 22 office locations, multiple MRI facilities, outpatient surgery centers and outpatient therapy clinics across the commonwealth.

“Merging with this larger group of collaborative orthopaedic surgeons allows us to improve our patient-­centric independent musculoskeletal practice,” said John W. Barnard, Jr., M.D. of OCCV. “It will afford our community greater access to the best and brightest providers and team members. Coupling our team with innovative technology, we will enhance the delivery of the highest quality, affordable healthcare for our local community, specifically, and the commonwealth at large. Except for the name change, day-­to-­day clinical operations will not change. Our physicians, advanced practice practitioners, therapists and team members will continue to provide excellent care for our patients in the office, hospital and ambulatory surgery centers.”

The Orthopaedic Center of Central Virginia was established in 2005 through a merger of independent orthopaedic groups, which served the Lynchburg area continuously for several decades. The community enjoys outpatient therapy, outpatient surgery and MRI facilities through this practice.

“This merger is excellent news for both of our organizations, and is good for our patients,” said Anthony J. Shaia, M.D. of OrthoVirginia. “The physicians of OCCV have provided high quality, cost effective care to the residents of central Virginia for many years. We are excited to have both their physicians and leadership team join us at OrthoVirginia. As our growth continues, our ability to deliver the best possible orthopaedic care in Virginia in the face of a rapidly changing healthcare environment is stronger than ever.”