ECP And IEMS Announce Emergency Services Expansion To OSF Medical Centers

In a significant development for healthcare in Illinois, Emergency Care Partners (ECP) together with Illinois Emergency Medicine Specialists (IEMS) have announced their collaboration to extend emergency medicine services to OSF Heart of Mary Medical Center and OSF Sacred Heart Medical Center starting April 20, 2024. These medical centers are integral parts of the OSF HealthCare system, which is under the stewardship of The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, based in Peoria, Illinois.

The decision to select IEMS for this vital role stems from its extensive presence and esteemed reputation in the greater Chicagoland area over the past 35 years. IEMS is celebrated for its commitment to community health and excellence in emergency care, achieved through strong partnerships with physicians and alignment with healthcare facilities.

Dr. Ted Patras, President of IEMS, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting the shared mission of providing top-tier emergency medical services. "We are proud to add OSF Heart of Mary and Sacred Heart to the IEMS family. We welcome the opportunity to support their mission and look forward to helping them continue to provide the highest quality emergency medical care in their communities," said Dr. Patras.

Founded in 1989, IEMS stands out as an emergency medicine group that prioritizes partnership and ownership among its emergency medicine professionals. This unique model fosters a culture of accountability and innovation, attracting top talent in the field. IEMS prides itself on working closely with hospital leadership to ensure exceptional patient care by aligning physician incentives with patient outcomes.

ECP is recognized as a premier provider of emergency medicine and department management services across the United States. With operations spanning several states including Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, and Illinois, ECP oversees more than 1.4 million patient visits each year. The organization is supported by over 1,000 clinical staff members, including physicians and mid-level providers. Over 60% of these physicians are shareholders in ECP, highlighting a significant commitment to maintaining clinical autonomy while benefiting from ECP's extensive support infrastructure.

About OSF Heart of Mary Medical Center & Sacred Heart Medical Center

OSF HealthCare represents a comprehensive integrated health system founded with a mission-driven approach by The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis. With headquarters in Peoria, Illinois, OSF HealthCare operates across Illinois and Michigan with a network that includes 16 hospitals and over 150 locations. Employing nearly 24,000 Mission Partners, OSF HealthCare extends its services through a range of facilities including two colleges of nursing, home care services, healthcare-related businesses under Pointcore, Inc., and the OSF HealthCare Foundation. In addition to these services, OSF Ventures supports health care innovation startups with investment capital. The establishment of OSF OnCall in 2020 marked a significant step towards delivering digital health services tailored to patient preferences.

This collaboration between ECP, IEMS, and OSF HealthCare marks a pivotal moment in enhancing emergency medical services for communities served by OSF Heart of Mary Medical Center and OSF Sacred Heart Medical Center. Through this partnership, patients can expect continued excellence in emergency care delivery aligned with a mission-driven approach to healthcare.