DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Walgreens has introduced its "Healthcare Clinic" at select Walgreens as the new branding for the more than 370 in-store retail clinics, replacing the former Take Care Clinic name that has stood since the brand's inception in 2004.
The national rebranding effort is already in process and expected to be complete by the end of August.
Retailers increasingly see themselves as a primary care option, particularly given a shortage of primary care physicians that is expected to worsen with millions more Americans getting health benefits under the Affordable Care Act, often called "Obamacare," in January, according to a Forbes report.
"The new Healthcare Clinic allows us to leverage the strength of the Walgreens brand to help attract and introduce new patients to our retail clinic services, while creating a more seamless health care experience serving a wide variety of patient needs," said Dr. Jeffrey Kang, Walgreens senior vice president of health and wellness services and solutions. "The health care landscape is evolving, and with a diverse and expansive collection of assets, Walgreens is uniquely positioned to play an integral role in addressing the needs of patients, payers and providers by helping to lower costs to the system while helping more people get, stay and live well."
The clinic rebranding represents the further alignment of Walgreens health care assets and affiliations under a singular brand identity. The Healthcare Clinic nurse practitioners and physician assistants are part of a network of more than 70,000 health care professionals across Walgreens pharmacy, Walgreens Infusion Services, Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy and other lines of business.
Other recent health initiatives such as the formation of accountable care organizations (ACO), clinical affiliations, expansion of Medicare Part D programs and more, all help advance the company's mission to transform the role of community pharmacy by providing more comprehensive care options, delivering a differentiated patient experience and solidifying Walgreens position as a strategic partner of choice, it said.
As the nation's largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2012 sales of $72 billion, Walgreens vision is to become America's first choice for health and daily living. Walgreens provides convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice at locations nationwide. The company operates 8,098 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Take Care Health Systems is a Walgreens subsidiary that is the largest and most comprehensive manager of worksite health and wellness centers, medical practices, and in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 700 locations throughout the country.
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