Our History

Two premier orthopaedic groups in the Hampton Roads area, Vann-Atlantic Orthopaedic Specialists and Virginia Center for Orthopaedics, merged in 1998 and became Vann-Virginia Center for Orthopaedics trading as ATLANTIC ORTHOPAEDIC SPECIALISTS. Histories of the individual groups which compose the newly formed company are below.

VANN HISTORY

In 1920, Foy Vann, M.D. brought the practice of orthopaedic surgery to Tidewater, and in 1947, John A. Vann, M.D. joined his father's practice on York Street in Norfolk, Virginia. By the mid 1990's the practice became the largest orthopaedic group in the area, with fifteen highly skilled orthopaedic surgeons working out of strategically placed offices.

In 1973, the partnership organization was replaced by a professional corporation ~ Drs. Vann, Taylor, Pole, Cantin, Young and Jordan. In 1984 the corporation's name was changed to Vann Orthopaedic Associates, P.C.

ATLANTIC HISTORY

In 1982, Clarke Russ, M.D. started Virginia Beach Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine.

Paul N. Krop, M.D. established Atlantic Orthopaedic Associates. Both practices were based in Virginia Beach. Atlantic Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine was formed in early 1993 when the two practices joined.

On November 1, 1993, Atlantic Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine and Vann Orthopaedic Associates merged and commenced practicing as Vann-Atlantic Orthopaedic Specialists. P.C.

VIRGINIA CENTER HISTORY

On July 1, 1964 a partnership was formed between Frank G. Burns, M.D. and James L. Gardner, M.D. as the first orthopaedists to establish a practice in Virginia Beach. Robert W. Waddell, M.D. joined them one year later, all three physicians having served their orthopaedic residencies at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, Virginia.

The partners incorporated as Virginia Beach Orthopaedic Associates, Inc. in 1970, and eventually grew to thirteen highly trained orthopaedists. Offices expanded to Norfolk in 1994, changing the name to Virginia Center for Orthopaedics, P.C. which was a reflection of the wide geographic area served by the practice.

ATLANTIC ORTHOPAEDIC SPECIALISTS

As Atlantic Orthopaedic Specialists, we are proud to call ourselves the largest orthopaedic group in the region with seventeen active and skilled physicians who continue to provide high quality orthopaedic care to the citizens of Tidewater, Virginia.