EmergeOrtho Wilmington has named Zachary Welch as its new executive director, according to a news release Thursday.

Welch will lead the orthopedic and spine practice in Wilmington, which includes 11 locations in the Southeastern North Carolina region.

“We are delighted that Zachary Welch is joining our team,” said Shawn Hocker, orthopedic surgeon and president of EmergeOrtho Wilmington, in the release. “His wealth of experience will be a huge asset as we continually expand care for our patients in the years ahead.”
 
Welch takes on the job after Steve DeBiasi announced in March he was moving on to a new role with Curi Advisory. DeBiasi helped lead the company as it underwent several regional expansions and served as EmergeOrtho’s CEO for its Wilmington and Triad regions.
 
Prior to EmergeOrtho, Welch served as CEO of Wake Orthopaedics in North Carolina. There he led the more than 200-staff orthopedics practice for nine years with a focus on strategic growth initiatives that led to “significant and effective growth, including adding multiple providers, opening new clinic sites and therapy gyms, and expanding the orthopedic urgent care model,” the release stated.

His experience also includes the role of practice administrator at Advanced Laparoscopic Associates, a general and bariatric surgery practice in Raleigh.
 
In his new role, Welch will lead a team of more than 120 medical providers with more than 480 employees.
 
EmergeOrtho is an independent, physician-owned practice that offers care including doctor visits, physical and occupational therapy, accredited diagnostic imaging, surgery and more.
 
“I am deeply committed to continuing the organization’s mission of helping patients emerge stronger, healthier and better,” Welch said in the release. “I look forward to building on EmergeOrtho’s strong foundation and strengthening its position as a trusted source for comprehensive orthopedic care in Wilmington and across the Coastal region.”