For many, getting in to see the family doctor can prove challenging due to a high volume of patients and only so many appointments in a day. Chad Bogue is ready to take up the mantel as Portage Medical Group’s first Family Nurse Practitioner. Portage Medical Group is located on the first floor of Portage Hospital at 3630 Willowcreek Road, Portage.
“There’s a shortage of providers. Being able to provide greater access to care is a good thing, and something I’m looking forward to,” Bogue said. “Family Nurse Practitioners assess and treat patients as well as educate them and help them attain their health goals. Under the collaboration of a physician, we can order testing, prescribe medication, and meet other medical needs.”
Bogue grew up in Chesterton and became an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) upon graduating high school. In 1999, he took a position with the Portage Fire Department (PFD), working as a full-time EMT, and eventually was promoted to Division Chief.
“You never knew what was going to happen, it was always a surprise,” he said.
During his time with the fire department, Bogue knew that a life-time career there was probably unlikely due to the high physical demands, so he worked toward plan B, a nursing degree. In 2004, he received an associate’s in nursing, and in 2014 he finished his bachelor’s degree. During this time he worked for Porter Regional Hospital as an ER nurse, where he enjoyed getting to make a stronger connection with patients.
“With nursing, you get to spend more time with the patient and do more for them in more of a controlled environment,” Bogue said.
But Bogue wasn’t done with a bachelor’s degree. He decided to go back to school for a master’s, which he completed in August 2019. Now, as a certified Family Nurse Practitioner, Bogue can be an even greater part of caring for the individuals within his community.
“I’m looking forward to seeing people follow through and achieve their goals. You’re able to see the outcome and help them along the way. It will be a nice change,” he said.
Bogue knows that the medical professionals with Porter Physician Group are a strong part of the local community, and he intends to bring his knowledge and experience to help continue that strong legacy.
“I have a good pulse on the community and what their health care needs are. It’s a natural calling to stay local because these are the people I know,” Bogue said. “Porter Regional is the hometown hospital as well as referral center for other hospitals. People have choices in healthcare and we’re the choice people want to make.”
Bogue has been a member of the Portage community for 20 years and even serves as president of the Portage Township Education Foundation. He has been with the foundation for three years and enjoys helping local teachers receive the funds needed for their classrooms. He has experienced first-hand the great need teachers have, as his wife is a teacher within Portage Township.
“Teachers put a lot into their jobs that not many other jobs require, and they’re willing to spend out of their own pocket for their classrooms,” he said.
For three years, Bogue has also been on the medical team with Honor Flight Chicago, a not-for-profit organization that creates a one-of-a-kind, one-day journey for American senior veterans to Washington, D.C.
“I read about it and said, ‘Oh my gosh, I have got to do that!’” he said.
Over the last several years Bogue has taken eight flights. He enjoys being a part of the organization and sees it as one of the best things he’s done.
“I’ve never done something more rewarding my entire life,” Bogue said.
With his many years in the healthcare field and his dedication to the Portage community, Bogue’s new position with Porter Physician Group at the Portage Medical Group location is sure to be a great success.
Bogue is accepting new patients. For more information, visit his profile here: https://www.porterphysiciangroup.com/doctors-providers/bogue-chad-fnpc-7317.
