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Dr. Gary Goodfried has joined Azalea Orthopedics as its newest orthopedic surgeon.

“We are thrilled Dr. Goodfried is joining Azalea,” said Anthony Brooks, CEO of Azalea Orthopedics. “He is a wonderful surgeon and is a great addition to our group. We aim to provide East Texas with the best orthopedic care in the state; his arrival reinforces our commitment to this goal. We are fortunate to have him and look forward to the future of Azalea Orthopedics.”

“Azalea Orthopedics has been one of the most well-respected and trusted names in orthopedics throughout Texas, and I am very excited about the opportunity to merge my practice with such an outstanding group,” Goodfried said.

His practice will remain in its current location at 1905 S. Donnybrook Ave. in the Baylor Scott and White Texas Spine & Joint Hospital, second floor.

Axia Center to have grand opening sunday

The staff of Living Alternatives will host the grand opening of The Axia Center, 1003 Baxter Ave., at 2 p.m. Sunday. There will be a short commencement speech with an open house to follow.

The Axia Center is a new, 6,300-square-foot, $1.2 million facility next to Tyler Junior College and houses the Pregnancy Resource Center and the Building Blocks program.

Project manager Elaine Allegretto, says, “This new building on Baxter Avenue is a platform to honor the image of God in every woman that visits. It is our privilege to reach out to each of them and their babies.”

The Axia Center, which is owned and operated by the Living Alternatives ministry, offers families support during unplanned or uncertain pregnancies, as well as support for young mothers with children. Its proximity to Tyler Junior College allows for young mothers attending the college and in need of support to quickly get the care they need, according to a news release about the opening.

The facility allows for new ministry opportunities for Living Alternatives, including a prayer room and testing for sexually transmitted disease. All services are free to families without regard to race, color, religion, national origin or citizenship status, according to the news release.

Board member Dr. Charlie Heaton said, “The East Texas community is very blessed to have this new building. The ministries that happen under this roof are expanding and the young women who walk into this building will find that The Axia Center offers the hope and support they are seeking.”

The Pregnancy Resource Center provides free pregnancy testing and sonograms for pregnant mothers, and the Building Blocks program continues to minister to women after a confirmed pregnancy with individual parent mentoring, childbirth education and doula services, to ensure the safe arrival of the baby, according to the news release.

The Axia Center has a child care room where volunteers may drop off their children and is available to visitors of the center seeking support.

Beverly Kline, executive director of Living Alternatives, said, “Our goal is for every woman to know their God-given value, know their worth, and be treated with dignity regardless of their pregnancy choice.” The name Axia was chosen to communicate this core belief.

Living Alternatives is the umbrella name for five different ministries: the Pregnancy Resource Center, the Building Blocks program, Loving Alternatives Adoption Agency, Fatherheart Maternity Home and KEEPS Boutique. Since its start in 1982, over 75,000 free pregnancy tests have been administered. Today the center performs approximately 130 tests and 70 sonograms each month.

For more information about Living Alternatives, visit livingalterna tives.org.