Rutherford Regional Health System (RRHS) has begun seeing patients at its newly opened practice at 45 E. Mills Street in Columbus. Polk Medical Specialties will initially feature a foot and ankle surgeon who is accepting appointments on Tuesdays from 1:30–5 p.m.

Dr. Jason Glover of Rutherford Orthopaedics is a fellowship-trained foot and ankle specialist who will start out spending one half day a week at the Columbus location. His areas of expertise include reconstructive foot and ankle surgery, heel pain and heel spurs, Achilles tendon disorders, ankle sprains, tendinitis, sports injuries, arthritis in the feet and ankles, and diabetic care. On-site imaging is available and patients may self-refer for appointments by calling 828-287-9260.

RRHS administrators say future plans for the office include offering multiple specialists in a variety of disciplines.

“Our goal is to make communities healthier, and our presence in Columbus is in response to feedback we’ve received from Polk County practitioners and residents,” said James Atkins, CEO of Rutherford Regional. “We’ve already experienced a very warm welcome at this new location and our hope is to grow services here to meet the needs of those who wish to receive outstanding compassionate care close to home.”

An open house is being planned in the coming weeks for residents and area physician practices to meet Dr. Glover and the Polk Medical Specialties staff, as well as to tour the facility and ask questions about the new location and Rutherford Regional Health System.

Rutherford Regional is a member of Duke LifePoint Healthcare, a joint venture of Duke University Health System, Inc., and LifePoint Health. It was established to build a dynamic network of hospitals and health care providers. The joint venture, which brings together LifePoint’s experience in community-based hospital management and Duke’s world-renowned leadership in clinical service, is strengthening and improving health care delivery by providing community hospitals the clinical, quality and operational resources they need to grow and prosper.

For additional information, visit www.dukelifepointhealthcare.com.

-Submitted by Matt Webber