Press Releases (2002)

Community Occupational Medicine and Elkhart General Join Forces
March 22, 2002

Elkhart, IN – Elkhart General Healthcare System has become a part owner of Community Occupational Medicine, LLC (COM) located on Old U.S. 20 in Elkhart.

“COM was established by a large group of local physicians whose collective mission was to meet the health care needs of the Elkhart business community,” said Jeff Alexander, COM Chief Operating Officer. “Elkhart General will be a tremendous asset in helping to carry out that mission.” 

COM opened in January 2000 in a new, 7,620 square foot facility featuring medical/surgical treatment rooms and x-ray, laboratory, and rehabilitation areas.

“Employers pay for a great deal of the health care in this community and they have every right to expect a service designed with their needs in mind,” said Hospital President Greg Lintjer. “We see our new relationship with COM as an opportunity to do a better job for employers and their employees.”

Noting that Elkhart General provides many of the services employers need, Lintjer said, “Now, for the first time, we are part of what employers want most: a freestanding facility with a dedicated, full-time occupational health physician and a full range of services such as minor surgery, employment physicals, drug and alcohol screening, and physical therapy. ”

Joseph L.Charlot, MD, MPH, Occupational Medical Director, leads COM’s clinical staff, which also includes medical assistants and a physical therapist.

Another major employer need is immediate treatment and safe return to work when an employee suffers a minor injury or illness, Lintjer said.

“Fast service is crucial in helping employers control health care costs, and COM’s track record in this regard is superb,” Lintjer said. “Wait times average around five minutes and treatment times are under one hour. COM’s fast service is one of the major reasons its client list has grown to more than 200 companies, including several from Goshen.”

Alexander said that during the coming months COM and Elkhart General will be exploring services that might be “integrated or tailored” to improve the delivery of health care at the “system” level.

“We’re confident that COM can strengthen its ties to Elkhart General Emergency Department and FasTrak service for minor injuries, thus providing well-coordinated, around-the-clock medical care for employees,” Alexander observed.

“Our physician owners are members of the Elkhart General Medical Staff,” Alexander said. “They know the hospital, they know health care, and they know this community.”

Alexander said that the vision underpinning COM grew from the extensive “hands-on” occupational health experiences of Ronald K. Downs, MD, of The Centre, PC, and David E. Van Ryn, MD, of Elkhart Emergency Physicians, Inc.