A Fairmont, Minn., orthopedic surgeon has closed his independent practice after 36 years, citing the cumulative impact of the Affordable Care Act, COVID-19 and increasing consolidation in the local healthcare market, Fairmont Sentinel reported April 1.
Corey Welchlin, MD, opened Center for Specialty Care in 1990 and grew the practice to 130 employees at its peak, serving communities across a wide region of southern Minnesota. Dr. Welchlin told the publication that declining revenues, loss of staff and the inability to perform elective procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic made it increasingly difficult to sustain the practice.
Dr. Welchlin is not retiring and plans to continue practicing surgery at facilities in the region. He also maintains a separate practice, Center for Specialty and Primary Care, in Buffalo Center, Iowa, which remains open.
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