Rush Expanding to Indiana!

With the turn of the calendar, residents of Northwest Indiana will have access to the quality care offered by the orthopedic program ranked 6th in the country by U.S. News & World Report…Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush (MOR). The expansion into Northwest Indiana will begin January 4, 2016. MOR physicians will see patients at 9200 Calumet Avenue in Munster.

Dennis Viellieu, MOR CEO, was born and raised in Highland, Indiana. In the November 30, 2015 news release Viellieu noted, “A significant number of our patients live in Northwest Indiana and we wanted to make it more convenient for them and other local residents who want top-ranked orthopedic services close to home. Our clinic will offer superior care for patients with orthopedic conditions, ranging from the most basic to the most complex.”

As indicated in the news release, “The clinic will staff sports medicine physicians and orthopedic surgeons with expertise in the following specialties: spine; foot and ankle; hand, wrist and elbow; shoulder; joint replacement; and spine tumors. In addition, patients will have access to MOR’s well-respected physical and occupational therapists; a full range of diagnostic services, including CT scans and MRIs; and a center for Durable Medical Equipment (DME) where patients can purchase medical braces and other devices.”

Viellieu told OTW, “I think the physicians of MOR selected Northwest Indiana as really our first geographic expansion in over 10 years for a number of reasons. It’s a less-regulated market in an industry that has gotten more and more intensely regulated. So it’s a friendlier provider market and also happens to be less expensive as well, which is probably somewhat related to the regulatory environment. Also, the market is less saturated with providers than the alternative Illinois markets, and so a little easier to develop as a result. In addition, I think the physicians had an appreciation for the patients we were already seeing from the Indiana market at our Illinois locations. And I think we offered something that will be very unique in Indiana—and that is an academic practice. With at least five academic medical centers in the Chicago area and only one program based in Indianapolis in Indiana, I think that provides us with the opportunity to bring something that is very unique to Northwest Indiana.”

“To get things going we have initiated a media campaign that includes billboards, advertisements and online search elements and we have already begun offering introductory and educational seminars to both providers and patients in the market.”

“In addition, we will look for opportunities to get involved with the communities, employers, schools and other organizations what would benefit from musculoskeletal care and education.”