Our Mission
Give independent orthopaedic practices the resources, data, and strategic guidance they need to thrive while delivering exceptional patient care.
We provide operational support, access to advanced networks, and physician-led collaboration to help your practice grow smarter, more efficiently, and sustainably — so you can focus on what matters most: your patients.
About Southern Orthopaedic Alliance
Meet Our Leadership Team
J. Grant Zarzour, MD
Gulf Orthopaedics
Specialty Training:
Hip and Knee Replacement
Andrew C. Morris, MD
Anniston Orthopaedics
Specialty Training:
Sports Medicine Ortho Surgery
Grant Shell, MD
Gulf Orthopaedics
Specialty Training:
Foot and Ankle
Christopher A. Heck MD
Southlake Orthopaedics
Specialty Training:
Spine Surgery
Gordon T. Hardy, MD
Anniston Orthopaedics
Specialty Training:
Sports Medicine Ortho Surgery
Michael D. Smith, MD
Southlake Orthopaedics
Specialty Training:
Hand and Upper Extremity
Southern Orthopaedic Alliance Administrators
Crystal Ford
Anniston Orthopaedics
Kirby Butler
Gulf Orthopaedics
Jeremy Schrimsher
Southlake Orthopaedics
Strategic Partnership
PELTO Health Partners
The modern alternative to the traditional MSO
Opportunities for Cost Savings Across Your Practice
Clinical & Operational Supplies
→ Group Purchasing Organization (GPO) contracts
→ Capital equipment & contract sourcing
Technology & Innovation
→ EHR / EPM technology
→ AI coding platform
→ Ambient scribe platform
→ AI referral management technology
→ Cybersecurity technology
→ Capital equipment management technology
Financial & Revenue Optimization
→ Revenue cycle services
→ Payor data analytics platform
→ Patient engagement platform
People, Benefits & Risk
→ Employee benefits brokerage
→ Commercial insurance brokerage
PELTO Health Partners delivers significant, measurable value through contract optimization and group purchasing designed specifically for independent medical practices. Practices that have joined PELTO have collectively realized more than $6.9 million in savings by leveraging shared contract value — without being forced into a one-size-fits-all model.
What makes PELTO different is choice. You select the contracts, tools, and savings opportunities that align with your practice’s needs, priorities, and growth goals.
Let’s identify the opportunities that make sense for your practice.
LEARN MORE ABOUT PELTO AT www.peltohealth.com
We're Also Proud to Partner with
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Trusted by Independent Orthopaedic Leaders
Real results from physicians who chose independence—with support.
Southlake Orthopaedics. A Division of Southern Orthopaedic Alliance
Michael D. Smith, M.D.
~16%
Average annual revenue growth
↓ Costs
Insurance & overhead reduced
100%
Local autonomy retained
Since joining Southern Orthopaedic Alliance in 2024, Southlake Orthopaedics has increased revenue by an average of ~16% annually, secured best-in-class pricing on EHR and vendor contracts, reduced insurance and overhead costs, and gained access to national purchasing networks—all while maintaining full local autonomy over hiring, compensation, and clinical decisions. Read the full case study →
SOA Member Practice | Southlake Orthopaedics
Physician Insights
Analysis and perspective on the economic, regulatory, and operational realities facing independent orthopaedic practices.
