'Make all decisions with your mission in mind'
Q: Describe your company.
A: Duly Health and Care (formerly DuPage Medical Group) is the largest independent, multi-specialty physician-directed medical group in the nation with more than 1,000 primary care and specialty care physicians and more than 7,000 team members, in over 150 locations.
We are a group of dedicated physicians, diverse business leaders and clinicians working together to change the complexities of the health care system. We know and fervently believe there is a better way to support those we serve and help them to flourish.
We are focused on challenging the expected to deliver the extraordinary in health and care.
Q: Do you plan to hire any additional staff or make any significant capital investments in your company in the next year?
A: Yes. We're investing significantly in people and technology to enhance our care experience.
Q: What will your company's main challenges be in the next year?
A: Duly Health and Care team members have been heroic in working to care for our communities under every circumstance and condition of this pandemic which, though stressful on everyone, has had disproportional impact on physicians and the entire clinical care team. The pandemic remains a great challenge to the physical and emotional well-being of the health care community.
Q: What's the hottest trend in your industry?
A: Using technology to help create a better work environment for people to interact with the clinical care team. Additionally, pursuing true care coordination for some of our most at-risk patients.
Q: If you had one tip to give to a rookie executive, what would it be?
A: Do not deviate from your true north. Make all decisions with your mission in mind.
Q: Do you have a business mantra?
A: Serve others in a compassionate yet efficient way. Help others be the best version of themselves and the results will follow. Consistently think about whey you chose to practice medicine and track progress toward those goals.
Q: From a business outlook, whom do you look up to?
A: I look up (literally) to heaven where my mentor Darrell Stemler our founding CEO, who taught me to lead is to love, rests.
Q: What is one interesting fact about you or your company that most people may not know?
A: Our growth and success is the result of incredibly hard work by everyone on our team. Growing to be the largest independent physician-directed organization in the nation has required the grit of many hardworking people pulling together through countless headwinds. Our patients' feedback and appreciation make all the efforts worthwhile.
Q: Was there a moment in your career that didn't go as you had planned? What lesson did you learn from it?
A: Working with and for 1,000 talented physicians and over 7,000 team members, every day holds surprises. There is literally never a dull moment. Together we navigate through unanticipated challenges.
Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: I appreciate getting time with my family. And when its nice outside golf is quite an escape for me, especially if I have the discipline to leave my phone in the bag and not check it.
Q: What book is on your nightstand?
A: Most commonly the Bible. But truth be told, I think it's in the drawer right now. Gotta fix that.
Q: What keeps you up at night?
A: Unfortunately, that does happen sometimes. When it does, it's concerns that we could fall short of our aspirational goals of genuinely disrupting the fragmented broken system of care people often experience. Helping people understand and embrace the sacrifices required to really do the hard things requires blazing a trail.
Q: If you were not doing this job, what do you think you would be doing?
A: That's an interesting question. I have dedicated my whole life to doctoring. But everyone has daydreams about walking in different shoes. Pretty sure nobody would come to see me sing or play guitar, so maybe I'll work on an organic sustainable farm and teach others healthy eating and living. I did have the privilege of doing medical mission work in Africa. That was very rewarding.
Q: What was your first paying job?
A: I had a Chicago Tribune (can I say that?!?) paper route at age 12. I started a lawn mowing business from my costumers. From that experience, I learned to earn people's trust and build opportunities from there.
Q: If you could put your company name on a sports venue, which one would you choose?
A: This year I'd have to go with the Chicago Sky! We hope we are building a championship team here and we would love to be associated with the reigning champs!
Q: Two people to follow on Twitter and why. (besides your company)
A: I don't get involved in social media, and I think we should be very cautious when absorbing information. How we feed our minds and souls affects our health and well-being.
Paul Merrick, MD
Co-Chairman of the Board, Chief Physician Executive
Duly Health and Care
Downers Grove-based, 150 Sites of Care Across Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Missouri
www.dulyhealthandcare.com
Industry: Healthcare
Number of employees: More than 1000 physicians and more than 7,000 team members
Family information: Married, father of two.
Hometown: Born and raised in Chicago. Currently live in Glen Ellyn.