Siloam doctors form partnership

Thirteen physicians, concerned that changes in health care threatened the choices of their patients, have formed a partnership in Siloam Springs.

The group, operating under the name Community Physicians Group, became official on Nov. 1. Its members include Siloam Springs Medical Center, Gentry Medical Clinic, Kansas (Okla.) Medical Clinic, Dogwood Medical Clinic, October, Ltd. and Westville (Okla.) Family Medical Clinic.

Mary Powell, the partnership’s administrator, says the physicians had discussed the possibility of merging at various times in recent years.

“Last year, they all got together and decided that, in order to keep our health care choices … in the community, they needed to form a group that would [include] all of the primary care specialists in the area,” she says. The clinics are now coordinating basic services, including such business functions as purchasing, billing and accounting.

Twelve of the 13 doctors who participated in the merger opted to become shareholders in the partnership, Powell says, and they own equal shares. New physicians who join will also be given opportunities to buy into the partnership.

Powell says the group’s plans call for growth. Already, a new building is planned in Gentry where two new physicians will be added.