Main Line Health to hire specialty physicians to decrease patient wait times.

In a significant transformation, Main Line Health has expanded its gastroenterology department dramatically over the past 16 months, increasing its workforce from zero to nine gastroenterologists. The nonprofit health system, which serves the Philadelphia area, is poised to welcome an additional two to three gastroenterology specialists this summer. This initiative is a proactive response to reduce patient wait times, a critical concern in the healthcare sector.

According to Ed Jimenez, the CEO of Main Line, patients are currently experiencing waiting periods of approximately three weeks for gastrointestinal appointments, a marked improvement from the previously extended wait times that often reached several months. The organization has also bolstered its team by hiring six GI physician assistants and nurse practitioners, further aimed at enhancing the efficiency and speed of patient care.

This surge in staffing is part of a broader strategy to mitigate financial difficulties encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic, during which the organization faced significant losses. By reducing its reliance on outside specialists for specialty care, Main Line Health is seeking to reclaim its footing in the healthcare market, focusing on areas such as urology as well.

In a notable shift, Main Line Health will conclude its contract with Jefferson Health for trauma surgery services at the end of this year, opting instead to hire its own team of trauma surgeons. The health system has plans to employ at least a dozen trauma and critical care surgeons to reinforce its trauma capabilities, particularly at its Level II trauma centers located at Lankenau Medical Center and Paoli Hospital.

Overall, since Ed Jimenez took the helm as CEO in June 2021, Main Line Health has successfully recruited 100 new physicians. Approximately one-third of these positions are replacements for retirees, while two-thirds represent new roles aimed at expanding the organization’s service offerings. The influx of physicians includes eight OB/GYNs and other specialists, addressing an increased demand for care after the recent closure of Crozer Health.

As Main Line Health builds its employed physician group, particularly in the gastroenterology and urology departments, it is entering a competitive landscape. The organization is poised to compete with established private practices such as U.S. Digestive Health and MidLantic Urology, which have benefitted from private-equity investments for their growth. This strategic approach reflects the ongoing evolution of healthcare delivery models and the ongoing effort by Main Line Health to adapt and thrive in a challenging environment.