NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Chris Rambke
Midwest Heart Specialists
Director of Marketing
630.310.4946
crambke@midwestheart.com
Stephanie Johnson
Advocate Health Care
Director of Public Affairs
630.990.5165
stephanie.johnson@advocatehealth.com
Midwest Heart Specialists Signs Letter of Intent to Integrate with Advocate Medical Group
Oak Brook, Ill., June 30, 2011 – Midwest Heart Specialists, the largest independent cardiology practice in
Illinois with 50 physicians, announced today that they have signed a letter of intent to integrate with Advocate
Medical Group (AMG), one of the state’s largest medical groups.
Midwest Heart Specialists and AMG each have more than three decades of patient care experience. With
more than 800 primary and specialty care physicians, AMG currently serves communities in 90 locations
throughout Chicagoland and the Bloomington/Normal, Ill.-area. Midwest Heart Specialists, headquartered in
Oak Brook, Ill., has been serving the cardiac needs of thousands of heart patients throughout the Chicago
Metropolitan area and Rockford, Ill., since 1973. In 2010, physicians at Midwest Heart Specialists coordinated
nearly 16,000 inpatient admissions and more than 80,000 outpatient visits. In addition to earning numerous
physician accolades, Midwest Heart Specialists has been nationally recognized for its quality data and early
adoption of electronic medical records.
“Midwest Heart Specialists and AMG share a vision to improve the quality of heart care and health outcomes,”
said James Dan, M.D., F.A.C.P, president of AMG. “We are thrilled to welcome such a dynamic team of
physicians to the Advocate family.”
AMG is a part of Advocate Health Care, recognized as one of the nation’s top 10 health systems. Advocate
treats more hearts than any other health system in the state. This union with Midwest Heart Specialists would
expand Advocate’s patient base through AMG. Midwest Heart Specialists already participates in Advocate’s
nationally recognized Clinical Integration Program. Known for efficiently and effectively delivering outstanding
coordinated health care with better patient outcomes, Advocate’s Clinical Integration Program aligns with the
Accountable Care Organization model, which focuses on achieving both cost and quality improvements
through coordinated and collaborative patient care.
“We have had a very good relationship with Advocate for many years. We believe aligning with this well
respected organization provides us with an opportunity to expand cardiovascular services with cardiologists
from central Illinois to the north,” said Vincent Bufalino, M.D., chairman and CEO of Midwest Heart Specialists.
“We strongly believe this will allow us to continue growing and recruiting the best cardiologists in the country.
This decision supports Midwest Heart’s strong commitment to provide the highest quality of care and excellent
outcomes for our patients.”
(more)
LETTER OF INTENT
--add one-Midwest Heart Specialists will continue to provide clinical services in the same non-Advocate office locations
and area hospitals where they currently practice. The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of
this year, subject to the completion of due diligence, execution of a definitive agreement, regulatory and other
approvals.
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About Midwest Heart Specialists
Midwest Heart Specialists is a nationally recognized group of over 50 physicians including board-certified
cardiologists, electrophysiologists and heart failure specialists making the group the largest cardiovascular
practice in Illinois. In addition to being board-certified in cardiovascular disease, many physicians are also
certified in critical care medicine, internal medicine and emergency medicine. Midwest Heart Specialists
provides easy access for patients at multiple locations in and around Rockford, Ill., and Chicago’s western and
northwest suburbs.
About Advocate Medical Group
Advocate Medical Group a physician-led medical group providing primary care, specialty services, medical
imaging, outpatient services and community-based medical practices throughout Chicagoland. One of the
state’s largest medical groups with more than 800 primary and specialty care physicians in 90 locations,
Advocate Medical Group is part of Advocate Health Care, the largest health system in Illinois and one of the
largest health care providers in the Midwest. In addition to AMG, Advocate operates more than 250 sites of
care, including 10 acute care hospitals, two integrated children's hospitals, five Level I trauma centers (the
state's highest designation in trauma care), two Level II trauma centers and one of the area's largest home
health care companies. Advocate Health Care trains more primary care physicians and residents at its three
major teaching hospitals than any other health system in the state. As a not-for-profit, mission-based health
system affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the United Church of Christ, Advocate
contributed $479 million in charitable care and services to communities across Chicagoland and Central Illinois
in 2010. More information can be found at www.advocatehealth.com.