Plastic surgery, vascular and interventional radiology physicians to join Infinite Health Collaborative (i-Health) alongside 150+ fellow independent doctors
MINNEAPOLIS (September 15, 2020) Since launching in late 2019, Infinite Health Collaborative (i-Health) has maintained rapid growth, even amidst a tumultuous healthcare landscape. The independent healthcare practice, owned and led by physicians who are not employed by traditional health systems, is expanding to add two specialty physician groups to the organization.
i-Health operating divisions will now include plastic surgery and vascular and interventional radiology, in addition to cardiology, colon and rectal, family medicine, orthopedics, and women’s health, making it one of the largest independent multispecialty practices in the region.
Midwest Plastic Surgery and Vascular & Interventional Experts (VIE) join Twin Cities Orthopedics (TCO), Burnsville Family Physicians (BFP) Catalyst Medical Clinic (CMC), Preventive Cardiology Clinic (PCC), Colon & Rectal Surgery Associates (CRSAL), and OBGYN Associates (OGA), which includes OBGYN Specialists, Associates in Women’s Health, OBGYN & Infertility, Diamond Women’s Center, Haugen OB/GYN, and Gerten Urogynecology.
VIE joined i-Health effective August 10, 2020, and Midwest Plastic Surgery will join effective October 1, 2020.
The rise of independence in healthcare
i-Health physicians focus on patient choice, and share core principles of quality care, physician autonomy, value-based care, and innovation. They are like-minded, passionate care providers who are inspired to grow, innovate, and ultimately impact change in healthcare.
By remaining independent of traditional, hospital-focused health systems, they preserve the ability to make recommendations and decisions solely based on what’s best for patients. Collectively, i-Health practices have a 98.3% patient satisfaction rating.
“We joined i-Health so our patients would have more choices and control over their own healthcare decisions,” said Dr. Michael Cumming, Vascular & Interventional Experts physician and co-founder. “After all, why go into a busy hospital when you can have the exact same highly-sophisticated procedures in our office, for a much lower cost? Most people don’t realize that independence is actually the original healthcare model. Our approach may seem revolutionary, but in reality, we’re just getting back to basics. It’s like the old days when doctors made house visits. Turns out patients usually know what’s wrong with them, if you take the time to listen.”
“We all got into medicine to take care of people, not paperwork,” said Midwest Plastic Surgery physician Dr. David Ruebeck. “We take pride in our dedication to high quality care. By joining i-Health, we benefit from economies of scale like a large system, but without sacrificing the way we treat patients. It’s exciting to join a quality organization that has proven successful in taking great care of patients and improving healthcare in a collaborative environment.”
Stay small, think big
The i-Health model was designed to be a framework for independent physician practices seeking growth and sustainability amidst a constantly evolving, competitive healthcare landscape.
According to a 2018 American Medical Association study, the number of physicians employed by systems now exceeds the number of physicians who own their practices. In many ways, i-Health was founded in defiance of this trend. The model offers an alternative option for small groups who want to stay small, but continue thinking big about their future.
Vascular and interventional radiology is a medical specialty that utilizes minimally-invasive surgical procedures to diagnose and treat a wide variety of conditions. Drs. Michael Cumming and Rochelle Wolfe founded VIE earlier this year with clear intentions to be independent from day one and provide high-quality care with an emphasis on the personal experience. VIE is the only practice of its kind in Minnesota, offering the same high-end equipment and expertise as a hospital, but in a more convenient, personal setting.
Since 1995, Midwest Plastic Surgery, led by Drs. David Ruebeck, Jacqueline Luong and Timothy Schaefer, has advanced plastic surgery as a medical specialty in the region by providing comprehensive services, including complex reconstruction, advanced cosmetic techniques and microsurgery. After 25 years, they have earned the trust of a diverse patient population, and built a strong reputation in the local community. The practice is excited to join i-Health and remain independent for the long run, so it can continue to provide high-quality care without limitations.