Hospital battleground: University of Chicago eyes Northwestern’s territory

In another attempt to compete with Northwestern Memorial Hospital on its home turf, the University of Chicago Medical Center plans to open a physicians practice within walking distance of Northwestern. The move by the University is considered significant because it is in the Streeterville neighborhood, which is dominated by providers of medical care affiliated with Northwestern University and Northwestern Memorial Hospital. A source close to the move said cardiology services will be part of the University's physician practice, and the services will include some University of Chicago heart doctors in order to attract by referral a more affluent patient base of people who live and work downtown.