PHYSICIANS IMMEDIATE CARE

In 1987, seeing a gap between primary care physicians and crowded emergency rooms, Dr. John Koehler founded Physicians Immediate Care in the Chicago area. The idea was straightforward: create a walk-in clinic for non-life-threatening needs, offering a more convenient and affordable option for patients. This model addressed the rising costs and accessibility issues in healthcare by providing an alternative for common illnesses and injuries. The company established itself as a regional player, focusing on both urgent care and occupational medicine. A significant moment in its journey came in 2012 when it received a growth capital investment from LLR Partners and WellPoint. This financing was intended to expand the clinic network and enhance patient services. As part of this deal, healthcare industry veteran Stan Blaylock joined as CEO to steer the company through its next phase of growth. The story took a major turn in July 2022 when Physicians Immediate Care was acquired by WellNow Urgent Care, a division of TAG—The Aspen Group. At the time of the acquisition, Physicians Immediate Care had grown to 55 locations across Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. The deal made the combined entity one of the largest urgent care providers in the region, bringing the total number of centers to 183. Following the acquisition, the Physicians Immediate Care senior leadership team, including CEO Stan Blaylock, joined WellNow to focus on continued strategic growth.