For Immediate Release: September 15, 2009

Contact: Brian Reardon (217) 544-6464, ext. 44306 brian.reardon@st-johns.org

St. John’s Hospital / Priority Care to Construct New Clinic in Rochester

SPRINGFIELD, IL -- St. John’s Hospital today broke ground for a new primary care physician clinic and satellite outpatient care facility in Rochester that will be home to doctors from Priority Care, as well as rehabilitation and imaging services.

The new facility will bring the high-quality and compassionate health care services of St. John’s and Priority Care to patients of all ages in a growing area of Sangamon County. Located on Sattley Street off of Illinois Route 29, the health clinic will occupy 6,000 square feet and will accept traditional pre-scheduled patient visits with a Priority Care physician, as well as walk-in patients.

St. John’s Rehabilitation Department will offer physical therapy services for patients with most types of therapy needs, including those suffering from neurological, cardiovascular, and orthopedic illnesses. Laboratory and x-ray services will be available on-site. The clinic is scheduled to open in late January, 2010.

“By opening a new outpatient facility in Rochester, St. John’s will deliver the same high quality patient care with the benefit of convenience for those who live in this part of Sangamon County,” said Bob Ritz, president and CEO of St. John’s. “We recognize that easy access to health care services is a top priority for many patients.  By offering medical care close to where people live, we can better meet the needs of those we serve.”

For the sake of convenience for patients, the Priority Care clinic in Rochester will maintain a state-of-the-art electronic medical record system, ensuring the easy transfer of records to all Priority Care offices, as well as St. John’s. There are currently two Priority Care clinics located in Springfield – 3631 South 6th Street and 1836 South MacArthur Boulevard.

“The physicians and staff of Priority Care are excited about this opportunity to create a medical home for patients outside of Springfield. By sharing space and resources with St. John’s Rehab and AthletiCare staff, we are able to more efficiently provide health care services,” said Rick Rolston, MD, President and CEO of HSHS Medical Group, Inc.   

The new facility will be the first major outpatient medical clinic in Rochester and the surrounding area. Located seven miles east of Springfield, Rochester boasts a population of 3,200 and is one of the fastest growing communities in the greater Springfield metropolitan area. Within the past 10 years, Rochester has experienced a 12 percent increase in population.

Founded in 1984 as Urgent Care, the Priority Care physician group was the first primary care walk-in clinic in Springfield. More than 20,000 people in Springfield and surrounding communities receive their primary care from its physicians. Priority Care’s goal is to be the only walk-in “urgent care” facility in the area where every patient is seen by a physician during a visit.  Priority Care is aligned fully with the HSHS Medical Group.

Formed earlier this year, the HSHS Medical Group, Inc. is a growing physician-led collaboration of medical practitioners that share a dedication to the highest quality health care services delivered in a compassionate, holistic and efficient manner. The group includes primary care, specialty and sub-specialty physicians across Central and Southern Illinois. The physicians of the Medical Group are aligned with Hospital Sisters Health System, which operates St. John’s Hospital and 12 other hospitals in Illinois and Wisconsin and is a ministry of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis.