Metro Infectious Disease Consultants History

By Russell M. Petrak, MD | August 24th, 2022

In 1994, the Chicago medical economic environment was such that most “experts” were professing the imminent demise of infectious disease (ID) private practice. Faced with this projection, a small group of ID clinicians began looking for alternative models.  Over a period of several months, three physicians emerged with a plan to deliver infectious disease services to multiple acute care hospitals. The goals were simple: stabilize their clinical practice and spend more dedicated time with family. 

Russ Petrak, Bob Fliegelman, and Dave Hines formally structured 8 infectious disease clinicians into the group known as Metro Infectious Disease Consultants (MIDC). Together with Dan Hirsch, Rodica Dumitru, and Dave Waitley, the group was known as the Founding Partners of MIDC. The group was initially financed by personal financial contributions from these physicians and debt secured with their individual homes. 

By diversifying revenue, MIDC was able to stabilize the group and strategically grow.  Through inpatient and outpatient consultation and Outpatient Parenteral Antibiotic Therapy (OPAT), MIDC has expanded their physician armamentarium for 28 years. Presently composed of over 100 infectious disease physicians, MIDC also employs 57 advanced practice providers, 80 nurses, 20 pharmacists.  Growing initially in and around Chicago, MIDC now has multiple thriving practices in 7 different states.

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