The Prairie group has a total of 72 physicians, with 30 practicing in Springfield. They have practiced at both Memorial Medical Center and HSHS St. John’s Hospital, both of which are in Springfield, Ill.
One reason cited by the physician group to serve only at HSHS St. John’s is the need to provide Prairie physicians with more time to satisfy the increasing demand for outpatient services. The group also said its activity at Memorial has decreased as a result of the growing presence of a cardiology group from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield.
Although 500-bed Memorial Medical Center has reported strong finances in recent years,
Memorial Health System CEO Edgar Curtis said the hospital’s overall profits could drop by as much as three-quarters, or an estimated $16 million, as a result of the change.
“I have great respect for the doctors of Prairie,” Mr. Curtis said, according to the report. “I’m disappointed because I think they’re really good doctors, and I like patients to have a choice.”
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