The Sterling Rock Falls Clinic: A History

1953: The Sterling Rock Falls Clinic is founded

The Sterling Rock Falls Clinic was founded on February 2, 1953. The idea of forming a medical group is quite common today, but in the early 1950's it was not the norm. Individual physicians had private practices and joining together to form a multi-specialty medical group was quite rare. Medical groups started to form after World War II, but when they did, it was usually an office of two or three physicians, all practicing the same specialty.

Discussions about creating a clinic in Sterling began in 1950 between eight physicians. They decided to move forward and in 1951 met with an architect who was hired to design the building. Construction began in 1952, with Kornman Construction of Sterling serving as the general contractor.

The original building cost $600,000 which was a very substantial amount at that time. Local bankers were very hesitant to lend money to the new group of physicians. It was not until after a local businessman stepped forward and volunteered to co-sign the note that the building project proceeded.

The original founding physicians of the Sterling Rock Falls Clinic along with their specialties are as follows: Dr. Neil Marquis: Radiology
Dr. Ralph Redmond: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Dr. LeRoy Danreiter: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Dr. Robert Fielding: Pediatrics
Dr. Edgar Picken: General Surgery and Urology
Dr. Thomas Sellett, General Surgery
Dr. Dale Scott: General Practice
Dr. Robert Adelman: General Practice
Dr. Lester Reavley: General Surgery
Dr. Lee Milcarek: Orthopedics.
In addition, Dr. Thomas Sullivan, Sr., an Ophthalmologist, rented space in the new facility.

When the clinic opened, East Miller Road was a dirt road. The "crown" or middle point, of Miller Road, was the dividing line between the city of Sterling and the Sterling Township, and there was some disagreement as to who should be responsible for graveling the road. The first office visit cost $3, and the average debt assumed by each of the physicians for the clinic was six times their average salary. The original building had a pharmacy, operated by Sergeant's Drugs and managed by John Overholser. There was a modest laboratory and an X-ray room. Duties were shared between a staff of 15 to 20 nurses, technicians and business office personnel.

It has been stated that the events surrounding the founding of the clinic, i.e., the vision and determination these physicians displayed to establish well-rounded physician and hospital services is a study in sacrifice, community-mindedness, solid patient care and good business sense.

Growth in the Sauk Valley over the years was steady, requiring the clinic to expand. Building expansions were added in 1978, 1982, and 1988. Each time, the growth was necessary to accommodate the addition of physicians and specialties so patients did not have to drive out of town to receive specialty care.

2003: Sterling Rock Falls Clinic Week is declared

The Sterling Rock Falls Clinic celebrated its 50th anniversary on February 2, 2003. Sterling mayor Ted Aggen and the city council issued a proclamation honoring the clinic's 50th anniversary and declaring the week of February 3-8, 2003 as Sterling Rock Falls Clinic Week in Sterling. The proclamation reads as follows:

"Whereas, in 1951, a small group of Sterling physicians met to discuss joining together to provide a unified setting for medical care; and "Whereas, from these discussions was formed a new way of delivering medical care as a multi-specialty physician group practice; and "Whereas, the first patient seen by a physician of the newly formed Sterling Rock Falls Clinic was on February, 2, 1953; and "Whereas, in 2003, the Sterling Rock Falls Clinic employs over 250 people, providing care in 19 different specialties to over 70,000 people; and "Whereas, it is the intent of the physicians of the Sterling Rock Falls Clinic to be a leading provider of quality care to residents of the greater Sauk Valley area and to provide a stable and professional workplace to hundreds of our area's residents well into the future; "Now Therefore, the City Council of the City of Sterling, Illinois, does hereby congratulate the physicians and staff, past and present, of the Sterling Rock Falls Clinic for 50 years of service to our community and wishes to acknowledge this accomplishment by declaring the week of February 3, 2003, to February 8, 2003, as Sterling Rock Falls Clinic Week in Sterling, Illinois. "Passed and approved this 3rd day of February, 2003"

The proclamation was signed by the mayor and attested to by City Clerk Rosemary C. Coughlin.

2003: A new 3 story 75,000 square foot expansion project is announced

In February of 2003, a $13 million expansion project was announced. The new 3 story 75,000 square foot addition would enable the clinic to move forward into the next 50 years. It would give the clinic its best chance to continue to attract highly-trained and qualified physicians to the Sauk Valley and help ensure the availability of a wide range of medical services for its patients. Building plans included demolishing the existing Family Practice center of the clinic, as well as the dental building and the office building at 15 E. Miller Road. The physicians' parking lot on the west side of the clinic, 101 E. Miller Road, would also be used for the addition. Construction began in June of 2003 and the official open house was held on August 2, 2005 with over 700 people in attendance.

2007: Sixty Care Providers and twenty-five Specialties at SRFC

As of November, 2007, there are 60 physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners providing health care to the people of the Sauk Valley in the Sterling Rock Falls Clinic. They offer services in 25 different specialties, including:

Audiology
Cardiology
Chiropractic
Dermatology
Family Practice
Gastroenterology
General Surgery
Hematology/Oncology
Infectious Disease/HIV
Internal Medicine
Neurology
Obstetrics/Gynecology
Ophthalmology
Optometry
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Orthopedics/Orthopedic Surgery
Otolaryngology
Pain Management
Pediatrics
Podiatry
Pulmonology
Rheumatology
Sleep Medicine
Urology
Vascular Surgery

Ancillary services include:

Allergy Testing
Bone Densitometry
Diagnostic X-ray
Digital Mammography
Echocardiogram
Holter Monitoring
Laboratory
Nuclear Medicine
Physical/Occupational Therapy
Stress Testing
Ultrasound