Outpatient equine surgery center opens in Lexington with help from Bluegrass SBDC

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 17, 2010) —Lexington Equine Surgery and Sports Medicine, a client of the Bluegrass Small Business Development Center, has opened at the corner of Iron Works and Georgetown Road. The group veterinary referral practice focusing on outpatient medicine and elective surgery is the brainchild of Bill Bernard, D.V.M., and is expected to fill a need for additional surgical facilities in the Central Kentucky area. See coverage from the ribbon cutting.

"Lexington Equine Surgery and Sports Medicine will be an excellent new addition to our Bluegrass equine industry," said Dr. Bernard, a board certified internist and internationally recognized expert in equine health for the past 18 years. "The elective nature of the surgery maximizes the potential for quality service and client satisfaction, while minimizing the potential for infection"

"This is exactly the type of local, homegrown business that is perfect for our community," said UK President Lee T. Todd Jr. "Central Kentucky has to be leaders in the horse industry, and Lexington Equine Surgery and Sports Medicine will add great value to our equine infrastructure. I applaud Dr. Bernard for developing this novel concept, and I wish him and his team the very best in the months and years ahead."

The Lexington Equine Surgery and Sports Medicine location puts it in close proximity to many established horse farms in Fayette and the six contiguous counties. The 10,000 sq. ft. facility includes a 10-stall barn and office, two surgery suites, radiology and exam areas and recovery stalls. Dr. Wes Sutter, a prominent and progressive equine orthopedic surgeon from the Ocala Equine Hospital, has joined Dr. Bernard as partner and surgeon in the new business. The long-term plan for the property is to develop an equine business park.

Bernard took the initial concept for an equine elective surgical facility to the Bluegrass Business Development Partnership in March 2007. Specialists from the Bluegrass Small Business Development Center and Commerce Lexington worked with Dr. Bernard on startup options and assisted with financial projections and business plan and financing development.

"The Bluegrass Business Development Partnership is proud to celebrate this collaborative effort with Dr. Bernard and Lexington Equine Surgery and Sports Medicine," said Bob Quick, President and CEO of Commerce Lexington Inc. "This project is a true testament to the ease of doing business in Lexington with our one-stop shop."

The BBDP is an economic development initiative between the University of Kentucky Office for Commercialization & Economic Development, Commerce Lexington and the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government. The Bluegrass Small Business Development Center is part of the UK economic development office.

Mayor Jim Newberry said, "There is no place in the nation that offers the level of equine care found here in Central Kentucky. Our veterinary community benefits from the outstanding equine research that takes place at the University of Kentucky and, of course, from the presence of our equine industry. In every sense, Lexington is the Horse Capital of the World."