Fixing broken bones, pulled muscles or torn ligaments will no longer require the occasional trip to Jackson as King's Daughters Medical Center continues to spread its healing touch to Brookhaven and area residents.

Medical center employees, Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce representatives and community members packed the hospital's former Quick Care clinic Wednesday to be a part of a ceremonial ribbon-cutting and to receive a tour of the new Brookhaven Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Clinic.

"We wanted to offer full-time orthopaedic services in Brookhaven," said KDMC Clinic Systems Director Larry Mills. "We don't want for anyone to have a reason to have to go anywhere else for their health care."

Before the opening of KDMC's newest facility, those needing assistance with ailing bones and aching muscles were forced to wait until the orthopaedic specialist was available in Brookhaven or were forced to go to Jackson or out of town to seek help.

"They don't have to do that trip anymore," said Mills. "We're trying to keep people from having to go to Jackson for their health care."

Smiling faces toured the facility near the hospital and some claimed they could get lost behind the cool green walls at the treatment center. The facility took roughly two months to transform from the former clinic use, but the planning process started in the fall.

"This is a first-class office," said KDMC CEO Alvin Hoover. "We're going to be using it to the max with the services we already offer."

The facility includes several large examination rooms and has seen the addition of an X-ray machine. Having X-ray capabilities on site will allow the staff to immediately read and interpret injuries, which will in turn mean quicker care for patients.

In addition to touring the renovated building, which has been in use for the past month, visitors stood in line to shake Dr. John Turba's hand - the doctor who will be responsible for keeping the active people of Brookhaven healthy.

"I've been all over the world," said Turba to clinic visitors. "You're blessed to have this kind of hospital in this community."

Turba has been healing bones since 1977 and lived and practiced in Cincinnati for 30 years. He was in the second class of formally trained sports medicine doctors in the country.

While his skilled services are typically reserved for bigger cities, Turba found himself looking for small town charm.

"I wanted to come back to my roots and to a place that is going to support me and allow me to practice the type of medicine I want to practice," said Turba.

Turba has big things in store for KDMC's newest facility. He said he hopes the center will grow to become a premiere sports medicine rehabilitation center, not only in Mississippi, but the equivalent to any place in America.

"King's Daughters is quickly developing a reputation for quality care in the state," said Mills. "Dr. Turba is further evidence we're going to continue that quality care."

KDMC has had an eventful year. The orthopaedic center is just one of four recent projects for the hospital. This year, Brookhaven residents have seen KDMC Fitness Center open, a new therapy center and the construction of a new Quick Care clinic in addition to the sports medicine and orthopaedic clinic.

"We have been busy and it's all good stuff," said Mills. "We're busy doing good things."