By: Zeb Hargett

Orthopedic care has made great strides in improving the quality of life for people in the Scenic 98 Coastal area. As we age, stress on our joints can become acute, and fortunately, science and medical procedures have advanced so much that replacement surgery has become commonplace. 

In Gulf Breeze, the Andrews Institute is a world leader in developing medical advancements with orthopaedic issues. Dr. James Andrews has been at the forefront of research and education in orthopedics throughout his career. He is now retired from surgery but is still leading the way in developing clinical excellence in human performance and regenerative medicine.

This story is about how the Andrews Institute built a national hub for research and innovation of new orthopaedic, sports medicine, and bio/regenerative treatments, transforming medical care and extending the quality of life for all. It is a fascinating tale about the Andrews Institute and the Andrews Research and Education Foundation, two pillars of excellence, and where this leading research and education program is heading. 

I visited with Ashton Hayward, III, President of the Andrews Research & Education Foundation in Gulf Breeze. Ashton, a native of Pensacola, served an 8-year term as Mayor and is given much credit for leading the city's transformation in the last decade. As President of the AREF and one of the founders of Andrews Medicine, he tells me the goal is to bring the highest level of orthopaedic education from doctors, researchers, and rehabilitation professionals. 

First, a little history. James Andrews grew up in rural Homer, Louisiana, and was offered a full-ride scholarship to Columbia University in New York. After visiting Columbia, he decided New York wasn’t his cup of tea. He enrolled at L.S.U. where he was a star pole vaulter and won the Southeastern Indoor and Outdoor Championship in his junior year.

He completed medical school in 1967 and soon joined the Hughston Clinic in Columbus, Georgia, a leading orthopaedic practice, especially in sports medicine. Always a visionary, he embraced a new arthroscopy technology developed in Japan that was less invasive and offered a quicker recovery time than traditional surgery. 

Dr. Andrews felt this new arthroscopic method would have a tremendous impact on the results of orthopaedic surgery and set out to perfect the arthroscope. Leaving Columbus and moving to Birmingham, he became so proficient in performing orthopaedic surgeries that he and his team were sought out by famous athletes, like Jack Nicklaus, Michael Jordan, Bo Jackson, John Smoltz, Drew Brees, and many more. 

As his reputation grew, Dr. Andrews understood the importance and value of academic medicine and the outcomes it could provide his patients. “He is truly a visionary,” says Ashton. “I think Dr. Andrews is so smart and focused on helping the next generation of orthopaedic surgeons, it’s kept him on the forefront of improving human performance and quality of life regardless of athletic prowess.”

Dr. Andrews believes competition is good and attracts top talent, and created the first Orthopaedic Fellowships. He began developing outreach programs, including sending his orthopaedic teams to the sidelines of high school football games to help address injuries. 

He offered this service for free, and soon his orthopaedic team was engaged by Auburn University, the University of Alabama, as well as other university sports teams. Today, on any given night, his Pensacola team is on the sidelines of 30 high school games throughout the Scenic 98 Coastal area from Baldwin County, Alabama to Panama City, Florida.

Dr. Andrews's vision was to continue to research, educate, and train physicians and help improve the delivery of “best-in-class” practice throughout the United States and beyond. “The Andrews Institute has become a Center of Excellence, and the philosophy was, ‘more talent, better outcomes’,” says Ashton. “Dr. Andrews has always been one or two steps ahead of the times.”

Baptist Health Care in Pensacola wanted to grow their Orthopaedic practice. Through a series of events, two of Dr. Andrews's graduating fellows began to practice at Baptist. Roger Ostrander, an orthopaedic surgeon, and Josh Hackel, a Sports Medicine Primary Care physician, were brought in, and continue to practice there today. Since establishing the Fellowship Program in Orthopaedics, Dr. Andrews has graduated over 650 Fellows from ASMI and AREF.

Subsequently, Baptist Hospital approached Dr. Andrews about bringing the Andrews Institute to Pensacola, and it opened in Gulf Breeze in 2007. Ashton admits there was a bit of trepidation by the local orthopaedic community, but Dr. Andrews believes that competition is good, and that talent attracts talent. 

In 2010, Jim and his wife, Jenelle, decided to move from Birmingham to Pensacola. Part of the allure was a love of sailing and the appeal of living on the water. The Andrews Institute soon became known as a Center of Excellence, attracting patients and sports figures from around the globe. 

Three years later in 2013, the Andrews Research & Education Foundation was founded to advance orthopaedic care, at the Andrews Institute. AREF is the non-profit arm of the AI campus, housing the fellowship program and allowing physicians to perform research onsite. AREF & Dr. Andrews's model of incorporating research and education into clinical practice is what makes this campus so special.

In 2019, Ashton, one of the co-founders of Andrews Medicine, was named President of AREF to scale the Andrews brand. “Dr. Andrews and the board wanted to take Andrews Research & Education Foundation to the next level. Other medical systems wanted to know how to incorporate our model. Orthopaedic practices, along with cardiology, are large profit centers for hospitals, and that makes them attractive. Andrews Sports Medicine now has affiliations throughout the country.”

On the non-profit side of the equation, The Andrews Research & Education Foundation focuses on academic medicine. “Our boutique research center is at the forefront of stem cell research and regenerative medicine. Dr. Andrews believes, like arthroscopy, biologics will revolutionize and impact how we do orthopaedics. Our research program is led by one of the world’s thought leaders, Dr. Adam Anz, who heads research.”

“Patients and athletes of all ages and abilities come here seeking specialized orthopaedic care from our world-class physicians because of our commitment to delivering unparalleled treatment.” Ashton explains that the term “Health Span” is a relatively new idea and refers to improving the quality of health while you are alive. 

“We are on the leading edge of stem cell research and partner with leading institutions to perform research studies and trials. This commitment to research and education has transformed the global landscape of orthopaedic and sports medicine.” He tells me they have a partnership with the State of Florida, from which AREF has received $8.1 million in appropriations.” 

AREF receives no federal funding, but the alignment with the State of Florida has other benefits. New York University did a recent study on biologics and reported that medical tourism in Pensacola is one of the highest in the country because of the work of the Andrews Institute. This influx of patients not only bolsters the local economy but also strengthens the region’s reputation as a leading destination for sports medicine and orthopaedic care.  

“Biologics are changing how we view medicine. We are actively seeking people from all walks of life and  various ages to volunteer for these research studies.” He tells me an added benefit of participating in the studies, is that they are free to participants and provide some patients with alternatives to more invasive surgical procedures. Medical insurance hasn’t yet reached the point of covering the costs. “AREF is working to get approval from the FDA in hopes that one day it will be covered. In the meantime, those who are not in a study and who want a stem cell procedure will have to pay out of pocket.” 

Long known around the world for treating the leading sports athletes, Andrews Institute caters to anyone with injuries or performance issues. Osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease, is a common ailment, especially as we age. Published research documents that adorn the walls of Andrews Research & Education are indicative of the work taking place in Pensacola.

Each Spring, top college athletes converge on the Research & Athletic Pavilion on the Andrews campus to attend athletic performance training sessions to prepare for the NFL.  AREF also proudly partners with Exos to provide opportunities for wounded warriors from the special operations community, who are referred to as “tactical athletes”, to receive personalized training, nutrition, and rehabilitation support utilizing the same integrated training system that has supported elite athletes around the world.  The focus is on improving human performance.  

“These special operators are highly trained military individuals. Depending on the branch, our Federal government can spend $2 to $3 million per person by the time they see active duty. They are just as motivated as our top athletes are to get back to their jobs,” says Ashton. The work being done at the Andrews Research & Education Foundation is important, and we are fortunate to have this center of excellence in our midst.

Whether you’re seeking a sports medicine specialist, surgical care, alternative treatments through research, or rehabilitation, the Andrews campus is committed to advancing medicine and enhancing outcomes for people of all ages in our community. The team collaborates across disciplines to provide comprehensive, cutting-edge care, all while ensuring physicians and support staff are educated in the most current practices and procedures. 

The work being done is amazing and is another example of the innovation and technology being implemented in the Scenic 98 Coastal area. Thank you, Ashton, for walking me through the Foundation’s research and explaining the education, innovation, and advancements resulting from the legacy created by Dr. Jim Andrews. Pensacola will continue to benefit from the work being performed on the Andrews Institute campus in orthopaedics, sports medicine, and human performance for many years to come.