After developing a chest cold and breathing problems last year, Susan Alexander went to First Choice ER, an independent emergency room in League City, Texas, drawn by its motto: “Real ER. Real Fast.” more

Many of the top supporters of health care reform in Rhode Island joined in a Providence Business News-sponsored panel discussion on “Health Care Reform and the Insurance Exchange,” held March 28 at the Crowne Plaza Providence-Warwick. more

The CEOs of three commercial health insurers in Rhode Island joined the leaders of Lifespan, the state’s largest hospital network, and Coastal Medical, one of the state’s largest physician-run primary care practices, for a March 28 discussion on “Health Care Reform and the Insurance Exchange.” more

If all goes as expected, Westerly Hospital’s sale for $69 million to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital of New London, Conn., will be approved by Rhode Island state regulators this month, W. Mark Russo, the court-appointed special master, told Providence Business News. more

Joe Dziobek, president and CEO of Fellowship Health Resources, has, in his nearly 40-year career there, helped the nonprofit behavioral health care agency grow from $1 million to $33 million in annual revenue, and established several departments, including the Office of Peer Recovery Services, and Studio 35, a healing arts and recovery program. more

Coastal Medical, Rhode Island’s largest physician-owned and physician-governed primary care group practice, has announced that Pawtucket-based Hillside Family and Community Medicine, and Narragansett-based South County Family Medicine have signed agreements to join the Coastal practice. more

PROVIDENCE – The Warren Alpert Medical School hosted the 17th annual New England regional meeting of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine on April 3. more

PAWTUCKET – Farm Fresh Rhode Island, a nonprofit that supports new models for the local food system in the state, has received a $25,000 grant to fund its market-based, nutrition-education program. more

SOUTH KINGSTOWN – South County Hospital is now offering an online childbirth-education course, the only hospital in Rhode Island to do so. more

PROVIDENCE – In a public effort to reimagine the way that state keeps its residents healthy, Lt. Gov. Elizabeth H. Roberts recently kicked off “Healthy Rhode Island.” The new initiative seeks to develop a plan for Rhode Island’s health care system of the future. more