American Family Care Finalizes Acquisition of Doctors Express, A National Urgent Care Franchise System

Aggressive Growth Plan Makes AFC the Nation's Second Largest Private Urgent Care Operator

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Apr 18, 2013, 05:18 ET

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., April 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- American Family Care (AFC), one of the largest and most established operators of urgent care and accessible primary care facilities in the country, continues its aggressive growth plan with the acquisition of Doctors Express (DRX), the largest national urgent care franchise. The acquisition became effective on Monday, April 15, 2013. With the DRX acquisition, AFC becomes the second largest privately owned urgent care operator in the country.

AFC, founded in 1982 in Hoover, Alabama and now based in Birmingham, celebrates "30 Years of Caring," with 37 clinics in Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee. DRX, currently owned by an affiliate of the Ensign Group, has 63 urgent care centers in 25 states. By the end of 2013, with this acquisition and current growth plans, AFC and affiliates will operate more than 140 facilities in 26 states, providing care to more than a million patients.

"We are excited to combine our deep medical experience and commitment to excellence with Doctors Express' talented urgent care professionals and franchisees as we work together to create a new benchmark for top quality medical care," says D. Bruce Irwin, M.D., owner and founder of American Family Care. "As we expand our national footprint and broaden our reach, we provide Americans the solution of affordable, accessible and high quality care. This is critical because as our nation's healthcare model continues to evolve, the number of insured patients without a primary care physician will increase. When patients walk through our doors, they can rest assured they will receive the best accessible primary care, urgent care, family care and occupational medicine. It is our mission to provide the best healthcare possible, in a kind and caring environment, while respecting the rights of all patients, in an economical manner, at times and locations convenient to the patient."

As currently planned, American Family Care will retain the Doctors Express name. DRX will continue to operate under the current franchise model. Doctors Express headquarters, currently located in Timonium, MD, will move to Birmingham, Ala.

In Birmingham, with more than 110 highly skilled employees, AFC centralizes all nonmedical backend support, cutting costs and streamlining efficiencies so the medical centers can focus on delivering high quality health care. The company's seasoned management team will provide support for the AFC/DRX clinics in all aspects of medical facilities operation and development. Support services include: accounting, facilities and materials management, marketing, facility development, purchasing, claims processing, human resources, occupational medicine marketing and development, physician recruiting, provider relations, information technology and training (instructor-led and e-learning).

In total, AFC has more than 800 employees and that number will grow as AFC and DRX continue to follow an aggressive growth strategy.

About American Family Care:
In 1982, D. Bruce Irwin, M.D. opened the first American Family Care Medical Clinic in Hoover, Alabama. Today, there are 37 clinics in Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee with several additional clinics under development. The company's model of "putting the patient first" has made it an overwhelming success. The clinics are designed, equipped and staffed to provide accessible primary care family care, urgent care, minor emergency treatment, and occupational medicine. AFC uses electronic medical records and has a high-tech, high touch approach to medical care, including digital x-ray system and an on-site laboratory. All clinics are staffed with caring and compassionate healthcare professionals. For more information about AFC please visit our website at www.americanfamilycare.com.

About Ensign™
The Ensign Group, Inc.'s independent operating subsidiaries provide a broad spectrum of skilled nursing and assisted living services, physical, occupational and speech therapies, home health and hospice services, urgent care services and other rehabilitative and healthcare services at 109 facilities, seven hospice companies and nine home health businesses in California, Arizona, Texas, Washington, Utah, Idaho, Colorado, Nevada, Iowa, Nebraska and Oregon. More information about Ensign is available at http://www.ensigngroup.net.