IPC The Hospitalist Company Inc. has acquired St. Louis-based Premier Hospitalists, Inc., the North Hollywood-based company announced. Through the acquisition, the Premier physicians will join the existing IPC practice group in St. Louis, allowing the company to expand coverage for the facilities it already serves. “In an increasingly challenging and uncertain healthcare environment, we are seeing more and more local independent groups looking to partner with IPC as a means to further grow their practices,” said R. Jeffrey Taylor, president and chief operating officer of IPC. “IPC has substantial resources, such as administrative support, information technology and growth capital, that enable the local hospitalist practice to remain strong and competitive,” Taylor added. Jessica Vernabe