State approval brings needed dialysis center to Downers Grove

(DOWNERS GROVE, IL) - The Illinois Health Facilities Services and Review Board listened to the needs of local residents and approved U.S. Renal Care's plans for a 13-station dialysis center in Downers Grove. This is a big win for local patients who currently have few choices and suffer long waiting periods to receive the dialysis treatments they need.

"Plain and simple, dialysis patients in the western suburbs need more choices," said U.S. Renal Care President and Chief Operating Officer Steve Pirri. "We applaud the Illinois Health Facilities Services and Review Board for making the best decision for these patients. They will see improvements in both their quality of care and their quality of life."

The new facility, to be located at 1213 Butterfield Road, will help meet the increased need for dialysis services that has accompanied a staggering rise in diabetes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expects diabetes cases in the Chicago area to grow by nearly 50 percent over the next 15 years.

"We thank local leaders, Adventist Midwest Health and Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital for standing up for area residents and supporting this project. We look forward to delivering on our promises by bringing the highest quality of care to the region," said U.S. Renal Care Chief Medical Officer Stan Lindenfeld. "Quality matters. That message resonated loud and clear at the state board meeting."

Leading the facility will be Dr. Anis Rauf and Dr. Mohammed Ahmed. Both have been serving dialysis patients in the area for many years and are known for the quality of care they provide.

Local patients and community organizations expressed their support for the facility throughout the months-long approval process, speaking at a public hearing in July and the recent state board meeting.

"Dialysis takes a toll on patients. Especially in this fragile state, we deserve access to quality care," said Vikki Tulcus, a patient who credits Dr. Ahmed and Dr. Rauf with saving her life. "A new dialysis facility in Downers Grove will be closer to home for me and so many other local residents. This is a great thing for us."

U.S. Renal Care serves 6,200 patients and operates 125 clinics and outpatient facilities in 11 states. The company also received state approval for new dialysis facilities in Bolingbrook and Streamwood.