News Center

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Franciscan Physician Network unites system’s medical practices




INDIANAPOLIS – Franciscan Alliance, one of the largest health-care systems in the Midwest, has established Franciscan Physician Network – a move which unites the system’s growing number of employed doctors.

Franciscan Physician Network has more than 750 physicians at 260 practice locations, who care for more than three million patients annually. This new organization brings together, under one name, the many physician groups associated with Franciscan Alliance’s hospitals and various access points all across the system.

“Franciscan Physician Network is the brand name of a corporate-led effort to more closely align separately employed physician groups throughout our system,” said Albert P. Tomchaney, MD, chief medical officer for the Mishawaka-based Franciscan Alliance. “This network redesigns health-care delivery and provides stellar care for patients in a more efficient manner.”

Planning and formation of Franciscan Physician Network has been under way for nearly a year.

The rebranding changes the name of the group of nearly 200 physicians employed by
St. Francis Medical Group, led by president Isaac J. Myers II, MD. With locations at more than 78 sites throughout Central Indiana, these doctors also practice at Franciscan St. Francis Health hospitals in Indianapolis, Mooresville and Carmel, and at the Plainfield Health Center.

In addition to the former St. Francis Medical Group, other physician groups which are now part of Franciscan Physician Network or affiliated with it:

•  Sigma Medical Group – West Central Indiana
•  Woman’s ClinicLafayette
•  Lafayette OB/GYN –  Lafayette
•  Premier Healthcare for Women – Lafayette
•  Athens Medical Group – Crawfordsville
•  HealthPartners Medical Group – Northern Indiana
•  Medical Associates – Northern Indiana
•  Hammond Clinic – Northern Indiana

Franciscan Physician Network locations also are enhancing their services through use of the EpicCare electronic medical records system, MyChart, which provides physicians and patients faster access to information and a secure link between doctors’ offices and hospitals.

Patients are able to access their medical records free of charge from physician offices and the hospitals through Epic’s MyChart system, which also provides reference materials to help them understand their conditions and to answer questions. Likewise, MyChart allows patients to request or schedule physician appointments.