OrthoCarolina to Join Scotland Physicians Network

Scotland Health and OrthoCarolina are proud to announce the next phase of their long-standing, collaborative partnership, further enhancing orthopedic care for the communities they serve. 

For many years, OrthoCarolina and Scotland Health have worked together with a shared commitment to deliver the highest quality care and ensure patients have access to the most advanced and effective technologies—right here at home. 

Beginning October 1, 2026, this partnership will deepen as the local OrthoCarolina clinic becomes part of the Scotland Physicians Network. This transition reflects a continued investment in sustaining and growing orthopedic services in the region. 

Under the new structure, the clinic’s orthopedic surgeons—Dr. Ralph Carter, Dr. John Smid, Dr. Richard Alexander, Dr. Julia Bulkeley, and Dr. Petros Koutsogiannis—will remain employees of OrthoCarolina and will continue to provide exceptional care to patients. All other clinic staff will transition to employment with Scotland Health, maintaining their tenure from their time with OrthoCarolina. 

This enhanced partnership is designed to address the increasing challenges of delivering health care in rural communities while leveraging the established operational support of the Scotland Physicians Network. The model has already proven successful across several Scotland Physicians Network practices and positions orthopedic services for continued growth and long-term sustainability. 

“We’re excited as we move toward this transition on October 1,” said David Pope, President and CEO of Scotland Health. “This closer partnership will allow us to grow and support orthopedic services in our communities even better, and to ensure that we continue to provide safe, high-quality, compassionate, and sustainable health care well into the future.”