Physicians Practice Names "America's Best Practice"
Nation’s Top Doctor’s Office Demonstrates Innovative Approach to Patient Care and Practice Managemen

Baltimore, Maryland — October 26, 2004 — Physicians Practice, publisher of the most widely circulated business magazine of its kind, Physicians Practice®, The Business Journal for Physicians, today announced that Prairie Cardiovascular Consultants in Springfield, Ill., is the grand prize winner of its third annual Practice of the Year competition.

“This medical practice has excelled in its commitment to practice management, which naturally enhances the quality of patient care,” said Gerry Hartung, Chief Executive Officer of Physicians Practice.

Prairie Cardiovascular Consultants, with 43 physicians and 285 staff employees in seven locations, is one of the nation’s busiest practices in performing cardiac bypass surgeries and angioplasties. A team of practice management judges, led by Pamela Moore, PhD, CPC, senior editor for Physicians Practice, named Prairie Cardiovascular Consultants “America’s Best Practice” based on the following benchmarks:

• Technology – innovative and cost-effective use of office management technology
  
• Office Management – scheduling, patient flow, front desk, telephone management
  
• Finance – contracting, revenue enhancement and division, controlling overhead
  
• Personnel – recruitment, marketing, mentoring, in-house training, staff retention
  
• Patient satisfaction – measuring, improving outcomes and service
  
  

• A Woman’s View, Hickory, N.C.
  
• Richmond Bone and Joint Clinic, Richmond, Texas
  
• Lawton Chiles Children’s Health Center, Bradenton, Fla.
  
• North Fulton Family Medicine, Cumming, Ga.