An administrative law judge has ruled in favor of Southern Orthopedic Surgeons’ plan for a state-of-the-art surgical facility designed to improve patient care and outcomes in the River Region.

The plan, which requires a Certificate of Need (CON) to open the new surgical facility, now advances to the State Health Planning and Development Agency (SHPDA) for review. The decision follows testimony presented in August by SOS and representatives from local healthcare facilities who challenged the proposal.

“We’re grateful that the judge recognized the need for this facility and the innovative technology, particularly in an outpatient setting, that it will bring to residents of Central Alabama,” said SOS CEO Jenna Roton. “Having a surgical center separate from a hospital is the future of healthcare. It protects healthy patients who simply need an orthopedic procedure and don’t need to be treated at a full-service hospital.”

Dr. Roland Hester of SOS also expanded on the purposes of the new facility.

“The Southern Orthopaedic Surgery Center will be patient-focused,” said Hester. “And having a facility like this is important for the region’s ability to recruit the best surgeons and healthcare professionals to serve patients.”

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According to SOS, the facility will feature six fully equipped operating rooms and two specialized procedure rooms, ensuring the capability to accommodate a wide range of orthopedic surgical needs. The center will include a surgical robot for joint replacement procedures, allowing for minimally invasive surgeries leading to shorter recovery times and improved patient outcomes.

The SHPDA review is the next step in the process and will determine whether SOS receives the Certificate of Need required to proceed.

If approved, the facility is expected to open within the next two years at Halcyon Pointe Drive, located at the southeast corner of the intersection of I-85 and Taylor Road in Montgomery.