For Immediate Release:
March 6, 2012

Southcoast Physicians Group forms region's largest network

Group of doctors provides a more collaborative approach to delivering the highest quality of care for patients and their families

Felicia Freilich, MD, a family practice physician with Southcoast Physicians Group, with a patient at Southcoast Family Medicine in Fall River.

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — Southcoast Health System announced today the formation of Southcoast Physicians Group, an integrated network of 193 multidisciplinary physicians and mid-level providers, creating the largest network of physicians in the South Coast region.

"Our patients will continue to receive the same care that they have known and trusted for years where they need it most — right here in their own community," said Warren "Chip" Wood, MD, President of Southcoast Physicians Group and an internal medicine specialist practicing in Fall River. "As part of Southcoast Physicians Group, Southcoast physicians will have access to the latest information, best practices and quality assurance programs while adhering to the highest standards of care."

Southcoast Physicians Group brings together Southcoast Physicians Services and Southcoast Primary Care and includes specialists in the fields of family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, cardiology, gastroenterology, general surgery, neurology, neurosurgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, pulmonary, sleep medicine, wound care and weight loss. Physician practices are located throughout the South Coast region and East Bay, Rhode Island.

"This is an exciting and challenging time for everyone in health care as the models of care delivery, quality assessment and reimbursement continue to change at the national and state levels," Dr. Wood said. "At Southcoast, we are in a strong position to seize upon the many opportunities that lay ahead of us as we work together to improve coordinated care for all of our patients through quality initiatives such as this merger."

Current patients will experience a seamless transition and will not need to take any action. Patients looking to find a Southcoast Physicians Group physician can call the Physician Referral Line at 800-497-1727 or visit www.southcoast.org/spg/.