FRANKLIN—Southampton Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Center cut the ribbon earlier in December to formally open its expanded service to the public. The facility is located at 210 Fairview Drive, just yards from the previous office, also on the campus of Southampton Memorial Hospital in Franklin.

The new center is the vision realized by Dr. Manish Patel, the chief orthopaedic surgeon.

“I never thought I’d see the day,” said Patel to staff and guests at the ceremony. He recalled when he and his wife, Vaishali, came to the city eight years ago. Patel admitted he was ready then to turn around, but his wife urged him, “You need to check this out.”

“I’m so glad she made me keep driving,” he said, and referred to Franklin as his “home away from home.”

The surgeon especially thanked the staff for its patience and the hospital for its support.

“I’m here to stay,” he added.

Seeing the increasing need for a “state-of-the-art physical therapy center” led Patel to buying the land three years ago. A year later, Armon Reich was commissioned as the architect.

“He’s a great client and a terrific guy,” said Reich about Patel. “You’re very lucky to have him here.”

The city’s mayor affirmed the presence of Patel, his staff and the facility as a positive one for the area.

“This type of investment in Franklin is what Franklin needs,” said Mayor Raystine Johnson-Ashburn.

A bonus to the occasion was the announcement of Dr. Eric Yancey from Newport News to become a general surgeon at the center this spring.

During the open house, Dr. Richard Alexander pointed out the sports medicine/physical therapy side of the office.

“We can literally do anything here,” he said. “From top to bottom, there’s nothing we can’t handle. We’re very fortunate being right next to Dr. Patel. We don’t need to make five phone calls to talk to him. This is a wonderful space.”

Alexander, who six months ago came here from Ahoskie, N.C., said his wife, Ashley, who’s in the nursing department at the hospital, brought him to Patel.

“Dr. Patel came to Dr. Dan Hoctor, our director, and asked what we needed,” said Alexander. “Everything has a purpose.”

“We’re excited,” Hoctor added.

Working with Patel on the orthopedic side is Dr. Sean Hindman, the physician’s assistant. He’s been with the practice over a year; previously he had been studying at the Eastern Virginia Medical School.

“I enjoy every day,” said Hindman.