Saint Francis Medical Center acquires doctor's urgent care center

Saint Francis Medical Center has announced the acquisition of the first urgent care center in Southeast Missouri.

On Jan. 1, the hospital will take ownership of Immediate HealthCare at 1702 N. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau. Immediate HealthCare provides services such as occupational medicine, primary care, diagnostics and urgent care.

Steve C. Bjelich, president and chief executive officer of Saint Francis, said the move helps the hospital better meet the needs of its patients.

"Saint Francis has a strong history of working collaboratively with our physicians and is always looking at ways to improve quality and access to care," Bjelich said. "This partnership by working with our physicians further complements the integrated delivery system Saint Francis provides."

Immediate HealthCare president Dr. Robb R. Hicks believes the acquisition will make the business stronger.

"In keeping with the tremendous loyalty we feel toward our patients, my wife, Pat, and I have a new vision today," Hicks, who founded the business in 1995, said in a written statement. "It is to hand over this quickly growing medical practice, which includes an urgent care center, occupational medicine clinic and family practice, to an even larger health services provider that can continue to expand this office into a larger facility and help even more patients."

Clinic administrator Pat Hicks plans to remain with the practice for several months during the transition. None of Immediate HealthCare's 16 employees will be terminated, Hicks said, though the name will change to Immediate Convenient Care.

Robb Hicks will continue to operate the Perryville, Mo., location, which will remain independent of Saint Francis.

bblackwell@semissourian.com

388-3628

Pertinent addresses:

1702 N. Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau, MO

211 Saint Francis Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO