Spotlight: Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland

Published December 21, 2017

Updated July 2019

One of the largest care centers within The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics, the Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland (OACM) Division with more than 200 staff members serve patients in Catonsville, Columbia, Eldersburg, Ellicott City, and Jessup Maryland. OACM’s goal is to be a full service orthopaedic care center, serving patients’ every musculoskeletal need across nearly every orthopaedic sub-specialty from joint replacement to spine surgery to podiatry and more.

The practice was founded in July of 1969 by Dr. Kenneth Spence and Dr. John Tansey as Tansey & Spence PA. Over the years, the practice grew and changed, eventually evolving into the Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland.

Since 2006, OACM has grown about a physician a year, today employing 17 physicians, as well as PAs, nurse practitioners, and physical therapists. As the practice grew in staff, demand for additional space ensued. A new office was opened in Eldersburg in 2011; then the practice remodeled its Columbia office, and opened the doors to its state-of-the-art Catonsville office, marking two significant expansion projects in 2014.

Due to its large medical staff and many sub-specialties, physicians within OACM have the luxury of in-house referrals to ensure patients receive convenient and trusted care in a timely manner. OACM most recently hired Dr. Ralph Zade general and sports medicine surgeon and Dr. Roberto Brandão foot and ankle surgeon in August of 2017, rounding out the practice’s staffing. The practice is also able to offer convenient, on-site MRI services because of its partnership with a local radiology group, which is unique in the state of Maryland.

In addition to the full-service orthopaedic team, OACM has a large physical therapy presence in the community with PT clinics in each of its offices as well as a fourth free-standing physical therapy clinic which recently opened in Ellicott City, and one soon to open in Jessup (September 2019). OACM’s 24 physical therapists, two hand therapists and five physical therapy assistants provide a full range of rehabilitation services from pediatric to geriatric physical therapy. Seven of OACM’s therapists are trained in dry needling as well.

Physicians at OACM stay deeply connected with the community through the practice's participation in the annual Catonsville 4th of July parade, by supporting the Howard County Senior Expo, various local high school sports teams, and running a booth at the Catonsville Arts & Crafts Festival each year.

As one of the founding practices of The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics, and home to CAO President Dr. Nicholas Grosso, OACM saw CAO as an opportunity to grow stronger and collaborate with leading medical peers to improve patient care, and is proud of the group’s progress over the last several years.