DuPage Medical Group CEO who led major expansion dies at 46

Michael Kasper, who led a major expansion of Downers Grove-based DuPage Medical Group as its CEO, died unexpectedly Saturday at age 46, a spokeswoman said Monday.

With Kasper at the helm, DuPage Medical expanded its reach across the suburbs as one of the state's largest independent physician practices, while maintaining its autonomy in an era of mergers between doctors groups and larger hospital systems.

DuPage Medical spokeswoman Marianne Geiger released a statement that did not give a cause of death, but said Kasper “passed away tragically” Saturday.

“We are shocked and saddened by the tragic passing of our beloved leader and colleague, Mike Kasper,” the statement read. “DMG's leadership team, board of directors, physicians, employees, patients and the entire health care community mourn his loss. We extend our deepest sympathies to his wife and children and ask that you respect their privacy during this difficult time.”

Kasper helped propel DuPage Medical's growth through medical group acquisitions and a $1.45 billion funding boost from a Los Angeles-based private equity group in 2017. DuPage Medical Group has more than 700 practitioners, up from about 290 physicians when Kasper became CEO in 2010.

“As an organization, we are strong and thriving because of Mike's vision and leadership,” Dr. Paul Merrick, DuPage Medical president, said in the statement. “We are committed to continuing the great work that he so passionately believed in — striving to make health care better for our patients and community by offering high quality and compassionate care.”

News of Kasper's death spread quickly throughout the industry.

“Mike Kasper made a dramatic and positive impact on Illinois healthcare that will be felt for a long time,” Mary Lou Mastro, Edward-Elmhurst Health CEO said. “We in the health industry should make it our mission to push forward in pursuit of Mike's goal of providing high quality and compassionate care to the communities we serve.”