Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute Announces Major Changes

Healthcare professionals collaborating in the Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute during a restructuring period.

News Summary

The Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute (JOI) will close seven locations and lay off over 150 employees by mid-June 2025 as part of a restructuring plan. This unexpected decision impacts the community significantly as JOI has been a major provider of orthopedic care locally. Additionally, Baptist Health is set to take over five rehabilitation locations previously operated by JOI. The transition marks a significant change in healthcare provisions in the region, with potential implications for local residents and the practice’s future.

Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute Announces Major Changes Amid Restructuring

In a significant turn of events for the Jacksonville community, the Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute (JOI) has announced it will be closing seven of its locations and laying off more than 150 employees as part of a restructuring plan. This news comes as a shock to many who have relied on JOI for orthopedic care over the years. The notification regarding these changes was sent to relevant officials on March 31, 2025, under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act.

What’s Happening?

The closures are set to take place between May 30 and June 13, 2025, and it appears these changes will be permanent. Affected locations include:

12220 Atlantic Blvd. in Jacksonville
1747 Baptist Clay Drive in Fleming Island
12961 North Main St. in Jacksonville
7740 Point Meadows Drive in Jacksonville
14534 Old St. Augustine Road in St. Augustine
105 Murabella Parkway in World Golf Village in St. Augustine
A physicians’ office at 13534 Old St. Augustine Road

In addition to these closures, JOI will also be laying off employees permanently at three additional locations:

1325 San Marco Blvd. in Jacksonville
12276 San Jose Blvd. in Jacksonville
203 Fort Wade Road in Ponte Vedra

The Impact on Employees

These layoffs will unfold in two waves, with the first wave occurring from May 30 to June 13 and the second wave from June 30 to July 14. In total, 153 employees will be affected, including those in therapy, technology, and administrative positions.

This news directly impacts not just the employees but the community, given that JOI has long been a trusted provider of orthopedic services in the area. In the past, JOI proudly served as the official orthopedic provider for the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, looking ahead to the 2025-26 season, UF Health Jacksonville will step into that role as the team’s official healthcare partner.

Shifts in Rehabilitation Services

In a related change, Baptist Health will take over five rehabilitation locations previously managed by JOI. However, the specifics regarding which locations will shift to Baptist Health have not been disclosed yet. This transition illustrates a move toward new partnerships aimed at maintaining community orthopedic care.

What’s Next for JOI?

As part of its restructuring efforts, JOI is implementing a strategy where a group of its physicians is repurchasing the practice to run as an independent entity. This endeavor is hoped to better align with the evolving needs of the community and create a more focused approach to orthopedic care.

Baptist Health has acknowledged these changes and emphasized their commitment to continuing high-quality orthopedic care for the local community. They aim to seamlessly transition services so that residents can continue receiving the care they need with minimal disruption.

Communicating with Affected Employees

Crucially, all employees affected by these layoffs have been informed of their permanent separation dates. This transparency is essential in helping individuals prepare for the upcoming changes as they seek new employment opportunities or navigate their next steps in the workforce.

As the Jacksonville community processes this major restructuring, many will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on how these changes affect their local healthcare landscape. With the past connection to the Jaguars and the ongoing relationship with Baptist Health, it will be interesting to see how the future unfolds for orthopedic care in the region.