The Wish Center / Provena Mercy Hospital - NO LONGER PARTNERS!

Hi everyone... I just heard some disturbing news from my surgeon. I just returned from my two week check up and was told that Proveana Mercy Center was no longer partners w/ the Wish Center. Dr. Rosen had just found out about 1:30p today. I'm so greatful I was able to get my surgery in before all this happened. I absolutely love Dr. Rosen and was so sad to hear this news. He said he was not exactly sure where he will end up but will keep all of his patients posted as to where he will be located.

Hi Christina, I was expecting to get mydate for surgery today and instead found out the Wish Center is closing. What will you do in the meantime, if Dr. Rosen is not available? I have to find a new surgeon I guess and start over with another program. This is really a bummer, isn't it? On the Lap-Band forum, where I usually hang out, there was no mention of the WISH Centers being in trouble, but now that I posted my bad news, it seems that a lot of people knew there were problems. I don't think the problem is with Dr. Rosen or Dr. Iwanicki, I think it is a corporate issue. Anyway, good luck to you.

Hi Christina and Sharon, I was having my pre-opt appoint at 1:00 today, about 2:00 Dr. Rosen came in and stated the program was closing. I'm scheduled for 9/20, I'm not sure what I'm going to do. Of course, I want the surgery, but I also want good followup and availablity for fills. Besides, I doubt their fee will reduced to accomodate this news. I'm starting to look for other options. I'm self-pay so I can't afford anymore than what WISH cost. I've posted on obesityhelp/lapbandforum also. I don't recall hearing anything negative regarding WISH until now.

You are correct, Wish's problems are not due to the MD's but all in the corporate level, the company has closed several centers over the last 2 years, Florida, Arizona and Ohio with no warning to the staff or clients. It was all a matter of time before this would hit the remaining 3 IMO. Some of the closed centers were absorbed by their local hospitals and I hope for all of you that something like works out.

I did not know of any problems until I showed up yesterday for my 2week post op appointment. Dr. Rosen has been an absolute wonderful surgeon. I'm really sorry you have been left in Limbo Sharon. Dr. Rosen said he would notify everyone once he figures out were he's going to be practicing. I have another appt in 2weeks to get this darn feeding tube removed from my stomach. I better be able to find him! He said he will be somewhere in IL, just not sure where. Your right, it sounds like it was a corporate issue.

Christina, Dr Rosen lives somewhere in the area of WISH because he was talking to me at a pre surg seminar this last Saturday about his son's football game that he went to. He has staff priviledges at Good Sam, Holy Cross and Edwards. I do not think that he will leave you high and dry with the feeding tube, that is not his style because he cares about his patients. Christine

Dr. Rosen is a great guy... the passion is truly there. He said if he had too, he would meet me in the emergency room. We'll get this darn thing out one way or another. It's driving me nuts.

Ok, you did not go into and say if WISH is closing all of its centers across the country, which they only have 3 of now. This is rather daunting news. Interesting because I was just at a pre surg seminar last Saturday and they seemed "full speed ahead" if you know what I mean. It all does not surprise me because they have been having financial woes for a while now. Strange, they just went through all the expense of moving their IL office out to Aurora from Downers Grove back in June. Yes, I love Dr Rosen also and am really glad that he ended up being my surgeon. I guess it is wait and see now. Chris

Chris - I have not heard if they are closing all of their facilities but I did see a posting yesterday from someone that lived in WA and said that the offices have been closed due to relocating but never re-opened. Very sad news for all those that are so close to surgery.

Just wanting to give a link to some of the recent developments for the Renton, WA WISH Center (don't know if closures are for the same reason but the more information patients have, the better). Several customers of the WISH Center have also contacted the media (last I heard Seattle news station KOMO was doing a report that was supposed to air today). http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/WA/postdetail/13413.html?vc=0 Lori