http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?ID=55477

Franciscan Alliance has launched the Franciscan Physician Network, designed to unite the system's doctors. It includes more than 750 physicians at 260 locations throughout the state.

Franciscan Alliance, one of the largest health-care systems in the Midwest, has established Franciscan Physician Network – a move which unites the system’s growing number of employed doctors.

Franciscan Physician Network has more than 750 physicians at 260 practice locations, who care for more than three million patients annually. This new organization brings together, under one name, the many physician groups associated with Franciscan Alliance’s hospitals and various access points all across the system.

“Franciscan Physician Network is the brand name of a corporate-led effort to more closely align separately employed physician groups throughout our system,” said Albert P. Tomchaney, MD, chief medical officer for the Mishawaka-based Franciscan Alliance. “This network redesigns health-care delivery and provides stellar care for patients in a more efficient manner.”

Planning and formation of Franciscan Physician Network has been under way for nearly a year.

The rebranding changes the name of the group of nearly 200 physicians employed by St. Francis Medical Group, led by president Isaac J. Myers II, MD. With locations at more than 78 sites throughout Central Indiana, these doctors also practice at Franciscan St. Francis Health hospitals in Indianapolis, Mooresville and Carmel, and at the Plainfield Health Center.

In addition to the former St. Francis Medical Group, other physician groups which are now part of Franciscan Physician Network or affiliated with it:

• Sigma Medical Group – West Central Indiana
• Woman’s Clinic – Lafayette
• Lafayette OB/GYN – Lafayette
• Premier Healthcare for Women – Lafayette
• Athens Medical Group – Crawfordsville
• HealthPartners Medical Group – Northern Indiana
• Medical Associates – Northern Indiana
• Hammond Clinic – Northern Indiana

Franciscan Physician Network locations also are enhancing their services through use of the EpicCare electronic medical records system, MyChart, which provides physicians and patients faster access to information and a secure link between doctors’ offices and hospitals.

Patients are able to access their medical records free of charge from physician offices and the hospitals through Epic’s MyChart system, which also provides reference materials to help them understand their conditions and to answer questions. Likewise, MyChart allows patients to request or schedule physician appointments.

Source: Franciscan Alliance

http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?ID=55957


Franciscan Buys Longtime Regional Medical Group.

October 3, 2012

News Release

Medical Specialists, a longtime Northwest Indiana health care organization of 69 health care providers who offer a wide variety of primary and specialty care services, has joined Franciscan Alliance, which has four hospitals in Lake County and nine others in Indiana and in south suburban Chicago, as well as numerous offsite specialty centers and clinics.

Medical Specialists, now called Franciscan Medical Specialists, was established in 1978 and has 12 locations in Lake, Porter and La Porte counties, was acquired by Franciscan Alliance effective Oct. 1. Its team consists of 55 physicians and surgeons, 11 nurse practitioners and two physician assistants.

"Franciscan Alliance is pleased to partner with Medical Specialists, a well-established and respected group of specialty physicians who will help us better serve the health care needs of thousands of Northwest Indiana residents," said Kevin Leahy, president and CEO of Franciscan Alliance.

Dr. Alexander Stemer, president of Franciscan Medical Specialists, said the partnership will benefit the community.

"Medical Specialists is delighted to announce its partnership with the Franciscan Alliance. This union is exciting, as it highlights major progress in changing and improving the landscape of health care delivery in Northwest Indiana. Franciscan Alliance is highly respected for its commitment to highest-quality patient care, and its forward thinking in development of health care initiatives. As a result of this unification, we believe that availability and quality of medical services in our community will significantly advance in the immediate future, as well as the long term."

Gene Diamond, CEO of Franciscan Alliance's Northern Indiana Region, agreed.

"Medical Specialists is a widely admired, deeply respected and skillfully led medical group, which has carved out a well-deserved reputation for high quality in each of its specialties and subspecialties. We're delighted to combine our services with theirs, as we anticipate the changes wrought by health reform, and work collaboratively to improve the health of those who live in the many communities we serve."

Among Franciscan Medical Specialists' treatment services are:

-Allergy and asthma
-Behavioral medicine
-Dermatology
-Ear, nose and throat
-Endocrinology
-Infectious diseases
-Internal medicine
-Obstetrics/gynecology
-Orthopedics
-Pediatrics
-Pulmonary medicine
-Sleep medicine
-Rheumatology

Franciscan Medical Specialist locations include Munster, Dyer, Hammond, Hobart, La Porte, Merrillville, Michigan City, Schererville and Valparaiso.

Locally, Franciscan Alliance hospitals include Franciscan St. Margaret Health-Dyer and Hammond, Franciscan Physicians Hospital in Munster, Franciscan St. Anthony Health-Crown Point and Franciscan St. Anthony Health-Michigan City.

Mishawaka-based Franciscan Alliance’s other hospitals are located in Chicago Heights and Olympia Fields in Illinois, and in the greater Lafayette and Indianapolis areas.

Source: Franciscan Alliance

Interesting. They might as well make it an organization for physicians.

First line of first post -

"Franciscan Alliance has launched the Franciscan Physician Network, designed to unite the system's doctors. "