UnityPoint Health — Trinity Regional Medical Center will once again offer orthopedic care for its patients in Fort Dodge.

The hospital on Wednesday announced a new partnership with Center for Neurosciences, Orthopaedics & Spine PC, a group headquartered in Dakota Dunes, South Dakota, near Sioux City.

Orthopedics deals with the correction of bones or muscles.

UnityPoint’s orthopedic clinic has been closed since Nov. 8, 2018.

“Finding a strong, reputable orthopedic partner for Fort Dodge and our surrounding communities has been a priority for UnityPoint Clinic,” said Leah Glasgo, president and CEO of UnityPoint Health — Fort Dodge. “In our search to find this type of partner, our three qualities and guiding principles were: outstanding quality and care delivery, commitment to our hospital and community, and a team that was held in high regard amongst their peers. Having found that, we are extremely excited and honored to welcome CNOS as an extension to our team, as we bring back and enhance orthopedic services for our community.”

Alyssa Stanek, UnityPoint Health — Fort Dodge senior marketing communications specialist, said CNOS is a longstanding independent physician group known for its excellence in orthopedics.

Dr. Richard Lawton from CNOS will provide services in Fort Dodge every Monday.

A start date will be announced once credentialing is finalized, according to Stanek. She said the satellite clinic will share clinic space with UnityPoint Clinic Surgery located at Physicians Office Building West on the third floor.

Lawton is a fellowship-trained, board certified orthopedic surgeon.

He completed his residency at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

Stanek said the orthopaedic surgery training program there is consistently ranked among the top programs in world.

Lawton completed his fellowship at Steadman-Hawkins Clinic in Vail, Colorado, where he served as an assistant team doctor for the Denver Broncos, Colorado Rockies, and U.S. Ski Team.

Stanek said Lawton will begin as the sole orthopedic provider at the Fort Dodge satellite clinic.

But she said CNOS is committed to a longer-term goal to grow its practice in Fort Dodge.

CNOS has satellite clinics in Lake City, Sac City and Ida Grove. The group also works with the Iowa Central Community College athletic department.

“We are excited to expand our orthopedic services to the Fort Dodge region,” said Nolan Lubarski, CEO of CNOS. “CNOS has many established relationships and satellite clinics in northwest Iowa — partnering with Trinity was an obvious extension for us.”