Following many local hospitals and community health centers, the largest independent physicians group in Illinois is mandating COVID-19 shots for workers.
Downers Grove-based DuPage Medical Group today announced its nearly 5,000 workers must be fully vaccinated by Nov. 12. While workers will have an opportunity to submit requests for medical and religious exemptions, vaccination is a condition of employment, spokeswoman Lisa Lagger said.
“From the onset of the pandemic, the organization has strongly encouraged our physicians and team members to receive the vaccine and we believe with few exceptions, most have,” the company said in a statement. It declined to say what percentage of the workforce already is fully vaccinated.
Separately, the company announced during an employee town hall yesterday evening that it plans to change its name next month and grow beyond the Chicago area, according to someone who attended the event.
"We have operated beyond DuPage County for several years," DuPage Medical said via email. "With our commitment to patients and communities extending beyond Chicagoland, our growth as an organization and our aspirations, it became clear that our current name and brand did not fully support our ambitions."
"We remain deeply committed to our current patients and DuPage County, while exploring ways to bring our distinctive model of care beyond the region," the practice also said via email.
Recently, DuPage Medical announced it had signed a letter of intent to partner with the largest independent physicians groups in Indiana, creating a “hub for regional expansion.” Lagger said that agreement is still in process.
The vaccine mandate move follows mandates at large health systems like Advocate Aurora Health and standalone hospitals like La Rabida Children’s Hospital, as well as community health centers. Alivio Medical Center, AHS Family Health Center, CommunityHealth and Esperanza Health Centers last month announced that workers would be required to get at least one vaccine dose by Sept. 1.
More healthcare organizations, including safety nets like Loretto Hospital, are expected to follow suit in the wake of full FDA approval for Pfizer’s two-dose vaccine.
This story first appeared in our sister publication, Crain's Chicago Business.
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