Wal-Mart Joins Forces with RediClinic for Major Rollout of In-store Clinics
BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart said yesterday that its first co-branded in-store clinics will open in Atlanta, Little Rock, and Dallas under "The Clinic at Wal-Mart" brand. These clinics -- the first of which is expected to open in April -- will be connected to their communities via local hospitals.
Wal-Mart also reinforced its goal of opening 400 co-branded convenient clinics by 2010.
Wal-Mart has signed a letter of intent to work with Houston-based RediClinic, LLC and local hospital systems to open co-branded walk-in clinics in 200 Wal-Mart Supercenters. The megaretailer has also signed a letter of intent to partner directly with St. Vincent Health System, a part of the Catholic Healthcare Initiatives system, to open four co-branded clinics in Little Rock.
"We know that America's health care challenges are larger than any one corporation, but we're committed to doing our part to expand access to quality, affordable health care -- our commitment to partnering with local hospital systems is evidence," said Dr. John Agwunobi, Wal-Mart's s.v.p. and president, health and wellness, in a statement. "Throughout our convenient clinics pilot, customers told us that we are providing a service that benefits their communities. We are confident that our new model of partnership with hospital systems will provide access to quality health care services for folks who don't want to wait in a busy emergency room or can't get in to see their physician."
"The Clinic at Wal-Mart, owned and operated by St. Vincent Health System" is expected to open in Little Rock by the end of April, as will "The Clinic at Wal-Mart, owned and operated by RediClinic," in association with a local hospital system in Atlanta. By the summer of 2008, Wal-Mart also expects to open co-branded clinics with RediClinic and a local hospital system in Dallas.
The Clinics at Wal-Mart will offer a limited set of affordably priced Get Well and Stay Well services, the retailer said. Each clinic will operate seven days a week. They will also feature prominent signage with pricing for the services and treatments offered, per Wal-Mart's practice.
Services will be provided to adults and children over age two, including:
-- Treatment of common ailments such as sore throats, sinus infections, earaches, and bladder infections.
-- Preventive care, including health screenings, medical tests, vaccinations, and basic physical exams.
-- Standard electronic medical records for clinic patients that eliminate the need for paper records via an electronic records platform employed by all new clinics operating in Wal-Mart stores.
-- Patient care delivered by licensed, certified providers who diagnose, treat, and, when appropriate, prescribe medications.
Wal-Mart also reinforced its goal of opening 400 co-branded convenient clinics by 2010.
Wal-Mart has signed a letter of intent to work with Houston-based RediClinic, LLC and local hospital systems to open co-branded walk-in clinics in 200 Wal-Mart Supercenters. The megaretailer has also signed a letter of intent to partner directly with St. Vincent Health System, a part of the Catholic Healthcare Initiatives system, to open four co-branded clinics in Little Rock.
"We know that America's health care challenges are larger than any one corporation, but we're committed to doing our part to expand access to quality, affordable health care -- our commitment to partnering with local hospital systems is evidence," said Dr. John Agwunobi, Wal-Mart's s.v.p. and president, health and wellness, in a statement. "Throughout our convenient clinics pilot, customers told us that we are providing a service that benefits their communities. We are confident that our new model of partnership with hospital systems will provide access to quality health care services for folks who don't want to wait in a busy emergency room or can't get in to see their physician."
"The Clinic at Wal-Mart, owned and operated by St. Vincent Health System" is expected to open in Little Rock by the end of April, as will "The Clinic at Wal-Mart, owned and operated by RediClinic," in association with a local hospital system in Atlanta. By the summer of 2008, Wal-Mart also expects to open co-branded clinics with RediClinic and a local hospital system in Dallas.
The Clinics at Wal-Mart will offer a limited set of affordably priced Get Well and Stay Well services, the retailer said. Each clinic will operate seven days a week. They will also feature prominent signage with pricing for the services and treatments offered, per Wal-Mart's practice.
Services will be provided to adults and children over age two, including:
-- Treatment of common ailments such as sore throats, sinus infections, earaches, and bladder infections.
-- Preventive care, including health screenings, medical tests, vaccinations, and basic physical exams.
-- Standard electronic medical records for clinic patients that eliminate the need for paper records via an electronic records platform employed by all new clinics operating in Wal-Mart stores.
-- Patient care delivered by licensed, certified providers who diagnose, treat, and, when appropriate, prescribe medications.