Memorial Hospital switched emergency room physician providers at locations in Belleville, Ill., and Shiloh, Ill., according to a Belleville News-Democrat report.
The impending change sparked an outcry on Memorial’s Facebook page and iPetition.com, where community members expressed concern over losing longtime physicians.
Memorial will now use physicians from Knoxville, Tenn.-based TeamHealth in the emergency departments at Memorial's two hospitals to replace CEP America, the previous provider.
"Changing the contract from CEP to TeamHealth does not prohibit any current physicians from working at Memorial," Anne Thomure, director of communications and marketing for the hospital, told the Belleville News-Democrat.
In September, Memorial requested a proposal from CEP America to continue the contract that expires on Dec. 31 for ED services, Ms. Thomure said.
"Memorial sought proposals from other providers," Ms. Thomure added. "After evaluating the proposals, Memorial decided to transition to TeamHealth."