USF teams up with Watson for orthopedic program

[USFan]

Watson Clinic is participating in a new orthopedic residency program established by the University of South Florida College of Medicine.

Watson Clinic is one of only eight medical affiliates and the only physician practice in the Polk County area to participate in the program, a release said.

"In terms of physician recruitment, we hope that these orthopedic residents give consideration to the Lakeland area when they establish a medical practice of their own," said Dr. Louis S. Saco, CEO of Watson Clinic, said in the release.

Watson Clinic, based in Lakeland, has a comprehensive orthopedic department that offers all phase of treatment, including sports medicine, surgery, physical therapy and rehabilitation.

It is the second largest physician's clinic in the Tampa Bay area with 187 physicians, research by the Tampa Bay Business Journal shows. Founded in 1941, Watson Clinic had 886,000 patient visits in 2006.

http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/stories/2007/08/13/daily61.html

[Apis Bull]

What does this mean for USF?  The article states what Watson gets out of it.

[USFan]

What does this mean for USF?  The article states what Watson gets out of it.

Forming "partnerships" is important... especially for a medical school.

It also expands our network and increases our publicity... "the only physician practice in the Polk County area to participate in the program"

It’s basically a PR thing.