Marshall Clinic of Effingham Merging w/Springfield Clinic in 2016

Marshall Clinic of Effingham has announced plans to merge with Springfield Clinic, effective January 1, 2016.

Springfield Clinic is an independent multi-specialty medical group. 

Dr. Jason McAllaster, spokesperson for the local physician group making up Marshall Clinic, said, "The practice of medicine has evolved dramatically over the past several years, and it has become increasingly complex to manage an independent medical practice like ours. We carefully evaluated several regional partnership prospects and are confident that joining Springfield Clinic is the best choice for our patients and practice."

The local physician group, in addition to Dr. McAllaster, includes Dr. Robert Frost, Dr. Jeffrey Jenson, Dr. Hope Knauer, Dr. David Kowalski, Dr. Lisa Kowalski, Dr. Jennifer Maneja, Dr. Tina Rozene and Dr. Lana Schmidt.

In addition to its headquarters in Effingham, Marshall Clinic serves the region through a network of satellite offices in Altamont, Louisville, Neoga, Newton and Stewardson.

The merger will establish Effingham and Marshall Clinic's five regional offices as Springfield Clinic's southernmost satellites in its service region. In addition to more than 15 medical offices in its Springfield hub, Springfield Clinic provides patient care through more than a dozen satellite offices extending from Lincoln to Hillsboro, and Decatur to Macomb.

Current patients of Marshall Clinic can expect continuity of their medical care following the January 1 merger. All Marshall Clinic medical offices will remain in their current locations, all local phone numbers will remain the same and all Marshall Clinic doctors and staff will join the Springfield Clinic team.

Springfield Clinic will honor all Marshall Clinic's current in-network insurance plans. Because the Springfield-based group is contracted with several additional health plans not currently accepted at Marshall Clinic, local patients will have greater access and additional coverage options.

Minor changes, including signage, can be expected as the group prepares for the January 1 transition. After the merger, patients can contact any Springfield Clinic location by dialing 217-528-7541 or toll-free at 800-444-7541.