Loyola Physician Partners (Clinically Integrated Network)

Loyola University Health System has formed a clinically integrated network which is a physician-led effort where participants collaborate to improve health outcomes through care coordination across the continuum, continuous quality improvement, and appropriate utilization of resources. This collaboration allows our network of over 2,000 primary care physicians and specialists, both employed and independent, to respond to new healthcare models by working together on what is referred to as the Triple Aim: Better Care, Better Quality, and Lower Overall Cost of Care. Together, we form a network that includes a major academic medical center, community hospitals, home health agencies, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, skilled nursing facilities and community agencies.

We participate in activities that will position our network for success under new payment and care models, and seek payer partnerships and incentives that align with our goals of improving the overall health of our patient populations. Some of the ways we strive to achieve the Triple Aim include the use of evidence-based medicine, ensuring that our patients receive timely care in the most appropriate setting, providing personalized care coordination, and forging preferred provider relationships with others who share our goals.

Our Mission

Loyola Physician Partners (LPP) is committed to excellence in patient care. We believe that thoughtful stewardship, learning and constant reflection on experience improve all we do as we strive to provide high-quality healthcare. We believe in God’s presence in all our work. Through our care, concern, respect and cooperation, we demonstrate this belief to our patients and families, and each other. To fulfill our mission we foster an environment that encourages innovation, embraces diversity, respects life, and values human dignity. We are committed to going beyond the treatment of disease. We also treat the human spirit.®

Care Coordination Services

Our care coordination team manages the care of the patient across the continuum of care. This continuum includes inpatient, outpatient and post-acute care. Our team consists of registered nurses (RNs), licensed clinical social workers, counselors and pharmacists. They work closely with patients to develop a comprehensive care plan that focuses on managing complex and/or chronic health needs. Attention is centered on providing comprehensive and individualized access to physical health, behavioral health, community and social services to ensure that the patient receives appropriate care and other needed resources.

Our team empowers patients, their families and caregivers to be active participants in their care through patient-friendly education and informed shared decision-making that is based on cooperation, trust and respect for each individual’s healthcare knowledge and health literacy, values, beliefs and cultural background.

UM Affirmation for HMO Illinois, BlueAdvantage HMO, Blue Precision HMO

At Loyola Physician Partners we affirm that:

1. UM decisions are based on medical necessity, which includes appropriateness of care and services, and the existence of available benefits;
2. this organization does not specifically reward practitioners, health plan staff, or other individuals for issuing denials of coverage, care or service; and;
3. Incentive programs are not utilized to encourage decisions that result in under-utilization.

Loyola Physician Partners also affirms that there is no conflict of interest between the IPA and their UM decision makers.

See entire UM Affirmation for HMO Illinois, BlueAdvantage HMO, Blue Precision HMO memo.

Loyola Physician Partners Board of Directors

Officers

• Chairman of the Board: Rodney Schainis, MD – Internal Medicine, Gottlieb Memorial Hospital
• President: Keith Veselik, MD – Regional Vice President, Population Health, Loyola University Health System and President, Loyola Physician Partners
• Treasurer: Ellyn Chin – Vice President, Population Health Operations and Contracting, Loyola University Medical Center
• Secretary: Meghan Kieffer – Associate Counsel, Loyola University Health System

Participant Representatives

• Charles Bareis, MD – RHM Chief Medical Officer, Trinity Health Corp
• Mark Cichon, DO – Emergency Medical Services
• Richard Freeman, MD – Regional Chief Clinical Officer, Loyola Medicine
• Nancy Gryniewicz-Sika, MD – Family Medicine
• Kamran Hamid, MD – Chief Medical Officer, Gottlieb Memorial Hospital
• Omar Hussain, DO – Pulmonary Medicine, Gottlieb Memorial Hospital
• Melissa Lukasick – Chief Financial Officer, Trinity Health Illinois Region
• Steven Michel, MD – Chief Medical Officer
• John Morgan – Community Member
• Rodney Schainis, MD – Internal Medicine
• Kevin Smith, MD – Associate Professor/VP and Chief Medical Officer, Loyola University Medical Center
• Amit Srivastava, MD – Gastroenterology
• Timothy Vavra, DO – Primary Care, Loyola University Medical Center
• Jeff Zawacki, MD – Colorectal Surgeon & General Surgeon

LPP Committees

• Quality and Care Management Committee: Keith Veselik, MD – Chair
• Credentialing and Standards Committee: Charles Bareis, MD – Chair
• Finance Committee: Tim Vavra, MD – Chair
• Compliance Committee: John Hart – Chair