Our History, Our Future
February 1, 1937
In 1937, Dr. Walter M. Whitaker and Dr. Kent W. Barber, both relatively new Quincy physicians, joined Dr. O.F. Shulian, a long-time Quincy physician, at The Quincy Clinic located at 1416 Maine. These physicians knew that group medicine had advanced greatly, but a group clinic was a very new concept. The Quincy Clinic would become one of only seven other group practices in existence in Illinois at the time.
The 1940s
At the close of the First World War, J.A. Farmer was operating the Standard Oil Service station in the 200 block of North 7th and 100 block of North 12th. Business growth led to the development of a large building on the northeast corner of 11th and Maine for its regional office. During the last few years of its existence, the station was used as a wartime government mapmaking facility, and was acquired by Physicians and Surgeons Clinic in 1945. Physicians and Surgeons clinic opened after completing an extensive remodeling and expansion program, which also included a new three-story addition on Eleventh Street.
The 1950s
The decade of the ‘50s saw many changes at The Quincy Clinic. In 1952, a major reorganization took place and more specialists were added. During this reorganization period, the name became simply “The Clinic.” A few months later though it reverted back to “The Quincy Clinic.” In order to make room for the expanding medical services, a building program was launched in 1958, in which the former Thompson residence on the adjacent corner lot of 14th and Maine and others on 14th Street were acquired and the clinic expanded to the west.
The 1960s
Space continued to be a luxury for the group, and in 1969, construction started on an addition to the south to house Internal Medicine, General Surgery, ENT, Ophthalmology, and a new Optical Dispensary, and finally, adequate pharmacy quarters.
The 1970s & 1980s | The Quincy Clinic
The ’70s and ’80s were extremely active for The Quincy Clinic, as they continued recruiting more physicians and aspired to provide patients with what they called “total care” through the growth of subspecialties. The same was true for the Physicians & Surgeons Clinic, who were planning the construction of a five-story addition to the building at 11th and Maine. Designed by the Quincy architectural firm of Horn-Meyer-Peter, the addition provided 21,900 square feet of new space for the group.
1986
The Quincy Clinic, well ahead of its time, introduced a prompt care department in 1986, forming the Ambulatory Care Center.
1987 | Collaboration
A true collaboration for the record books changed the course of healthcare in the Quincy community forever. Through the vision of several physicians and staff, The Physicians & Surgeons Clinic and The Quincy Clinic merged, combining their vast resources of physicians, staff, and equipment to form Quincy Physicians & Surgeons Clinic or QP&S Clinic.
The Late 1980s & Early 1990s
QP&S went on to buy seven properties within two blocks of its 11th and Maine location. They continued to grow into a regional health center, making QP&S Clinic one of the 10th largest clinics in Illinois. QP&S valued its relationship with surrounding communities, and therefore, opened branches in Pittsfield and Mt. Sterling in Illinois, as well as in Canton and Lewistown in Missouri. This served as part of a long-range plan to deliver primary care services to areas where healthcare was less accessible.
1994
In the spring of 1994, a new state-of-the-art medical facility was opened at 1025 Maine Street, and the brand became known as it is today, Quincy Medical Group (QMG). The name change and new logo reflected the group’s commitment to establishing themselves as a regional medical center.
The 2000s
As QMG entered the new millennium, there were decisions to be made about continuing to develop its current location on Maine Street. There were attractive options along Broadway where development was rapidly spreading. Instead, a deeper commitment was made to the Maine Street location and The District, and that led to local expansion. In April 2003, QMG hosted a grand opening for the new four-story facility at 1118 Hampshire Street, housing various medical services and offices, with the Surgery Center of Quincy occupying the top floor. Quincy Medical Group expanded our regional presence even more with affiliate offices in Canton, LaBelle, and Lewistown, Missouri; Barry, Mount Sterling, Pittsfield, Pleasant Hill, and Winchester, Illinois.
The 2010s
QMG remained steadfast in expanding services to meet the needs of the community and region. Our reach expanded with the addition of locations in Kahoka and Keokuk. 2017 would mark the opening of the Eye and Vision Institute, offering expanded eye exams, testing, and patient access to state-of-the-art equipment and technology unlike any services in the community. Later, in October 2018, QMG filed an application to establish an Ambulatory Surgery Center at 3301 Broadway. This became another example of QMG reinvesting back into the local community of Quincy.
2020 & Beyond
The new Surgery Center’s central location, on the campus of the Quincy Mall, will allow QMG to offer patients a low-cost, high-quality option for outpatient surgical services. It also becomes one of the first outpatient centers to offer cardiac catheterizations safely within an outpatient setting. Concurrently, QMG has relocated its growing Oncology department to the 3301 Broadway location, so as to expand Medical Oncology and Radiation Oncology services within a state-of-the-art facility, all tailored to meet every patient’s personal needs and experiences.
It is physicians like Drs. Barber, Whitaker, and Schulian who began the vision of today’s healthcare in Quincy and the surrounding region. Their courage to expand local delivery of healthcare has never been lost on multiple physician leaders throughout the last several decades and will continue into the future with others.
QMG’s history of growing to support the needs of patients, while being mindful of repurposing landmark facilities for the greater good of the community, is a theme throughout our more than 80-year history. A physician’s ability to determine the future viability of healthcare, driven by independence in practice, and a desire to do what is right for the patient and community, is what created QMG and what furthers our mission long into the future.