CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Chambana Today) — When Jen, a local resident suffering from severe osteoarthritis, was told she’d have to wait nearly three months just for a consultation, she feared her long-anticipated joint replacements might be pushed back even further. But with the help of Dr. David Fletcher of SafeWorks Illinois, her surgeries began just weeks later—transforming her quality of life.
Dr. Fletcher, a board-certified physician in occupational medicine with 25 years of experience in Champaign-Urbana, runs an independent practice specializing in injury care. His approach combines urgent care with a highly personalized, hands-on model—something he describes as “concierge-style medicine for injured people.”
“I don’t send people into a system where they wait around in pain,” said Fletcher. “I find out what they need and get them to the right specialist fast. That’s my job.”
For Jen, that meant bypassing months of delays and getting a direct referral to a world-renowned orthopedic surgeon at Rush in Chicago. Fletcher personally contacted the surgeon’s office and had her scheduled within a day. She had her first joint replacement just four weeks later.
Throughout the process, Fletcher stayed involved—from checking in the night of the surgery to coordinating her physical therapy. He describes himself as the “hub” in a model where surgeons, therapists, and other care providers serve as spokes, all driven by the patient’s needs.
His independence from large healthcare systems is key, he says. “I’m not limited to one hospital’s network. I send patients wherever the best care is, whether that’s here in town or two hours away.”
Jen, who had three joints replaced over four months, calls the experience “life-changing.”
“I knew I could trust Dr. Fletcher,” she said. “He listened, he cared, and he made things happen. I never felt like I was on my own.”
Fletcher believes that urgent access to care leads to better recovery outcomes—not just physically, but emotionally and financially. “People lose time, money, and hope when they’re stuck in a broken system. My goal is to keep them moving—literally and figuratively.”
SafeWorks Illinois also assists with veterans’ disability evaluations and Social Security disability cases, areas where many physicians are reluctant to help. “These patients need someone who knows how to navigate the system,” Fletcher said. “That’s where we step in.”
For those feeling lost in the process, Fletcher offers simple advice: don’t wait. “The sooner we get started, the sooner we get you back to your life.”
To set up a consultation, or to reach Dr. Fletcher, visit their website or call them at 217-356-6150.