IEP Acquires Urgent Care Centers in Southfield and Novi to Strengthen Primary Care Capabilities

On August 23, 2019, VCBeat (WeChat ID: vcbeat) learned that Independent Emergency Physicians had acquired two urgent care centers in Southfield and Novi, and established a joint venture with Healthy Urgent Care to build a network of 10 to 15 urgent care centers in southeastern Michigan, USA.

IEP was founded in 1997 by 11 emergency medicine physicians at Providence Hospital in Southfield, Michigan. The company now employs 400 staff members, including 67 emergency physicians, 60 residents, 60 senior providers, 20 other support personnel, and several physician assistants. IEP offers six medical service lines, covering urgent care, hospital medicine, observation medicine, long-term acute care, telemedicine, emergency medicine, and scribe services. IEP provides emergency care staffing for health systems such as Ascension Providence Novi & Southfield Hospitals, Trinity Health St. Joseph Mercy Oakland in Pontiac, and Henry Ford Allegiance Health in Jackson.

Dr. David Hall, President and CEO of IEP, stated, “Our urgent care centers are managed by a team of healthcare professionals trained in emergency medicine, providing an alternative to the emergency room for individuals requiring immediate attention for various non-life-threatening conditions. This acquisition will enhance our ability to deliver primary care to the community.”

In recent years, hospitals, physicians, and for-profit commercial companies in southeastern Michigan have been expanding the number of urgent care centers. Employers, health insurance companies, and patients are seeking lower costs and more convenient settings for treating non-emergency conditions.

David Hall stated, “IEP has formed a joint venture with Healthy Urgent Care and its founder, Sarmed Gabriel Sinawi, with plans to develop one to four urgent care centers annually over the next five years. We are excited to partner with HUC and establish a network of urgent care centers, which will address our gaps in rapid care services. Healthy Urgent Care operates urgent care centers in Brighton, the Town of Lyon, Livonia, South Lyon, and the Township of West Bloomfield; these facilities will not be part of the joint venture.”

“Our success stems from our integration into the hospital. Many of our physicians have become chiefs of staff or joined committees focused on conditions such as sepsis and stroke. The hospital has called on us to take further steps to address issues, but in our collaboration with the hospital, IEP always puts patients first,” added David Hall.

David Hall declined to disclose the acquisition price for the urgent care centers, which range in size from 3,000 to 3,000 square feet. Approximately 18 employees from the two centers will join IEP.

Healthy Urgent Careis the leader in urgent care and walk-in clinics in Michigan, USA.HUCBy MDSarmed Gabriel Sinawiat2009Founded in [year], through electronic medical records, digitalXRadiology and e-prescribing set the standard for patient experience.HUCProvide convenient, affordable, and high-quality care for patients and their families.

(Compiled by Tian Shuhang)