Northwest Indiana Business Magazine has been shining a light on the Region's business community for 35 years. To celebrate, we are featuring the entrepreneurs who are making a difference in their communities.

Dr. James Leonard, systems medical director at Midwest Express Clinic, has been helping patients in urgent health situations for more than 20 years. Earlier this year, he returned to his roots after serving as chief executive officer for a healthcare system.

“Throughout my career, I've practiced in both emergency medicine and urgent care, which has given me a unique perspective on how patients move through the healthcare system,” Leonard said. “My focus has always been delivering high-quality patient care while helping healthcare organizations improve access, clinical quality and operational excellence.”

In March, he joined 650 healthcare professionals at Midwest Express Clinic, which has headquarters in Willowbrook, Illinois. The urgent care company's first location opened in 2012 in Munster.

“Since then, we've grown throughout Northwest Indiana and the greater Chicagoland area while staying focused on our original mission of making high-quality healthcare more accessible,” Leonard said.

Locations in Indiana include: Crown Point, Cedar Lake, Merrillville, Portage, Hobart, Michigan City, Schererville, Dyer, Griffith, Munster and Hammond. Midwest Express plans to open a Valparaiso location early next year.

In 2020, Midwest Express purchased the five-location MedSpring urgent care clinics in Chicago. It's most recent opening was in Homewood, Illinois. The company now has more than 60 walk-in locations in Illinois and Indiana.

Question: What is Midwest Express Clinic's Mission statement?

Answer: At Midwest Express Clinic, our mission is to make high-quality healthcare more accessible by providing convenient, compassionate care close to where people live and work. Every patient deserves timely care delivered with clinical excellence and respect.

Q: What was the catalyst for the business:

A: Midwest Express Clinic began with a simple idea: people shouldn't have to choose between waiting weeks for an appointment or sitting in an emergency department for care that could be treated sooner. The first clinic opened in Munster, Indiana, in 2012 to provide convenient, high-quality walk-in care for the local community. As demand grew, it became clear this wasn't just a local need — it was a challenge communities across Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland were facing. That mission of improving access to timely care continues to drive us today.

Q: What is a goal for the future?

A: One of our biggest goals is to continue improving access to healthcare while maintaining the high clinical standards our patients expect. As healthcare evolves, I believe patients will increasingly look for trusted providers that can deliver quality care quickly and close to home. We want to continue meeting that need while helping patients navigate the healthcare system more effectively.

Q: What goal have you accomplished so far?

A: I'm proud that what started with one clinic in Munster has grown into a network of neighborhood walk-in clinics serving patients across Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland. Growth is important, but what matters most is that we've remained committed to delivering compassionate, high-quality care in the communities we serve. Every new location represents more families who can get timely care close to home.

Q: Who helped you along the way?

A: I've been fortunate to learn from outstanding physicians, nurses and mentors throughout my career. Medicine is a team profession, and I've learned just as much from colleagues on the front lines as I have from formal training. Every experience has shaped how I care for patients and how I lead today.

Q: What is a book, movie, TV show that inspired you?

A: Two books I find myself coming back to are “Turn the Ship Around!” and “Extreme Ownership.” Both are rooted in military leadership, which probably resonates with me in part because I spent a year at the Air Force Academy. They’re very different stories, but both reinforce ideas about leadership, accountability and empowering the people around you. Those are lessons I’ve carried with me throughout my career, particularly as I’ve moved from caring for patients myself to helping lead and support other healthcare providers.

Q: What is your favorite inspirational quote?

A: “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.”

This quote, commonly associated with Aristotle and expressed in this form by Will Durant, has stayed with me throughout my career. I’ve shared it often in leadership and departmental meetings because it captures a principle I believe strongly: excellence isn’t achieved in a single moment, it’s built through consistency.

That idea continues to guide how I approach leadership and clinical excellence today. In healthcare, as in life, the habits and standards we practice every day ultimately shape the outcomes we achieve.

Find a Midwest Express Clinic location here.

Our Entrepreneurship Q&A spotlights the bold thinkers and doers shaping the future of the Region. We hear from local entrepreneurs who are turning ideas into impact — sharing their insights, challenges and the stories behind their businesses. The column celebrates innovation right here at home. To nominate an entrepreneur, email the editor at news@nwindianabusiness.com.