MEDNAX, Inc., (NYSE: MD) today announced the acquisition of Associated Anesthesiologists of Joliet, S.C., a private physician group practice based in Joliet, Ill., and its related entities: Madison Avenue Anesthesia Placement Services, LLC, Crawford Avenue Anesthesia Placement Services, LLC and Pain Centers of Chicago, LLC.

At closing, 85 full-time anesthesia providers (37 anesthesiologists and 48 anesthetists) and 12 other clinical and administrative staff will become part of MEDNAX’s American Anesthesiology division, and serve as one integrated practice providing care in Southern Illinois and Northern Indiana. This marks the division’s entry into these two states.

Associated Anesthesiologists of Joliet was established in 1971 and later formed three related entities that together provide anesthesia services across a wide spectrum of subspecialty areas including general surgery, cardiac, neurosurgery (including spine), orthopedic, obstetrics and acute and chronic pain management at 12 locations. These include two Methodist Hospitals and a related ambulatory surgery center, as well as four Presence Health hospitals and a related ambulatory surgery center and pain center. Presence Health is the largest Catholic health system in Illinois, and its flagship hospital in Joliet has the fifth largest surgical volume in the state.

“Becoming part of a national medical group was essential for the future of our practice as hospital needs and data requirements rapidly change in this new era of healthcare reform,” said Ronald Hayes, M.D., who will serve as medical director for the practice. “American Anesthesiology’s back-office support and expertise in credentialing, nationally-sourced recruiting and other crucial business needs, combined with the company’s leadership in research, education and quality initiatives, will give us the opportunity to grow and most importantly, to positively impact patient outcomes and patient satisfaction.”

MEDNAX’s American Anesthesiology division consists of more than 2,150 anesthesia providers, including more than 900 physicians and 1,250 anesthetists practicing in 12 states.

This was a cash transaction, and it is expected to be immediately accretive to earnings. No additional terms of the transaction were disclosed.

With this acquisition, seven physician group practices have become part of MEDNAX in 2014, six as part of American Anesthesiology, and one as part of Pediatrix Medical Group.

ABOUT MEDNAX

MEDNAX, Inc. is a national medical group that comprises the nation's leading providers of neonatal, anesthesia, maternal-fetal and pediatric medical and surgical subspecialty services. The Company is reshaping the delivery of care within its specialties and subspecialties using evidence-based tools, continuous quality initiatives and clinical research to enhance patient outcomes and provide high-quality, cost-effective care. Pediatrix Medical Group, a division of MEDNAX, was founded in 1979 and includes neonatal physicians who provide services at more than 360 neonatal intensive care units, and collaborate with affiliated maternal-fetal medicine, pediatric cardiology, pediatric critical care and physician subspecialists to provide a clinical care continuum. Pediatrix is also the nation's largest provider of newborn hearing screens. American Anesthesiology, a division of MEDNAX, was established in 2007 and includes more than 2,150 anesthesiologists and advanced practitioners who provide anesthesia care to patients in connection with surgical and other procedures as well as pain management. MEDNAX, through its affiliated professional corporations, employs approximately 2,500 physicians in 34 states and Puerto Rico. Additional information is available at www.mednax.com.

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