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(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090108/AQTH553)
The five internal medicine physicians serve patients through clinics inthe Lake County communities of Gurnee, Lindenhurst and Fox Lake.
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"The Northern Lake Medical physicians have built a reputation forhigh-quality care and excellent service, and we look forward to working withthem and their patients," said Jeff Bailet, M.D., president of Aurora MedicalGroup.
Mark Tucci, M.D., president of Northern Lake Medical, said that he and hiscolleagues were attracted to Aurora because it is a physician-led organizationthat emphasizes continuous quality improvement.
"We know that Aurora Health Care will support our practice and work withus to ensure that our patients receive outstanding care," Dr. Tucci said."Aurora is a fully integrated system of care that can provide all of theservices our community may need."
Nick Turkal, M.D., Aurora's president and chief executive officer,welcomed the Northern Lake Medical physicians.
"This affiliation is an exciting opportunity to partner with physicianswho value Aurora's approach to delivering care and understand the benefits ourintegrated system can bring to their patients," Dr. Turkal said.
"A growing number of Illinois residents are seeking health care servicesin Wisconsin, and our Kenosha hospital's proximity to communities in northernIllinois makes it an attractive option," Dr. Turkal said. "For Aurora, havingphysician clinics in northern Illinois will make it easier for these patientsto access our services."
Patients of Northern Lake Medical will have access to the services ofAurora physician specialists in the Kenosha area, and also to the full arrayof hospital services available at Aurora Medical Center in Kenosha. AuroraMedical Center, just off Interstate 94 along Highway 50, opened in 1999.Aurora Medical Center consistently ranks among the top 10 percent of hospitalsin Wisconsin for the care provided to patients with the most commonadmissions, like pneumonia and congestive heart failure. The hospital also israted as one of the safest hospitals in the state and is nationally recognizedfor its cancer program by the Commission on Cancer of the American College ofSurgeons. The hospital's services include:
In 2007, nearly 6,000 Illinois residents sought care at Aurora hospitals,resulting in more than 8,500 visits. About 3,700 of those visits were atAurora Medical Center in Kenosha.
Northern Lake Medical patients requiring advanced treatment options willhave access to Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center in Milwaukee, which offers thehighest level cardiac care, cancer care and care in the neurosciences andother areas.
In joining the Illinois affiliate of Aurora Medical Group, the NorthernLake Medical physicians follow two family practice physicians in Gurnee, whojoined Aurora in October.
Dr. Bailet noted that the medical marketplace in northern Illinois isexperiencing significant change amid the area's brisk growth. "The corridorbetween Kenosha and Chicago's northwestern suburbs is developing rapidly, andpeople are routinely crossing the state border for health care, employment,shopping, recreation and other purposes," he said. "We will welcome physiciansfrom northern Illinois communities who share our vision of health care andwish to practice with us."
All of Northern Lake Medical's 43 employees will become employees ofAurora Medical Group.
Aurora Medical Group is one of America's largest group practices,encompassing more than 800 primary care and specialty physicians. The AmericanMedical Group Association honored Aurora Medical Group in 2006 with a topnational award. In presenting its Preeminence Award, the association praisedAurora Medical Group for its "quality-based, unified culture" and its focus onexcellence, service, respect, teamwork and accountability.
Aurora Medical Group is Aurora Health Care's principal group practice. TheAurora organization coordinates patient care across a complete continuum ofservices, including 13 hospitals, 125 clinics, home health care, pharmaciesand other services.
Aurora Health Care is a not-for-profit health care provider and anationally recognized leader in efforts to improve the quality of care. Auroraoffers services at sites in more than 90 communities throughout easternWisconsin.-- 24-hour emergency care -- Beautiful suites for labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum -- Medical and surgical inpatient units -- Diagnostic services, including digital mammography -- A full range of cancer services -- Cardiology services -- Intensive care unit -- Inpatient and outpatient surgery -- Women's Health Center
SOURCE Aurora Health Care
