Walgreens partnership with VillageMD expands into Arizona
Walgreens Boots Alliance and VillageMd have expanded their health care partnership to Arizona.
The two companies announced the opening 18 full-service “Village Medical at Walgreens” primary-care clinics at Walgreens stores in Arizona. Four additional locations are expected to open by the end of this year. The partnership is on track to open some 600 primary care clinics in more than 30 U.S. markets during the next four years.
Through the Walgreens and VillageMD integrated care model, patients are able to receive comprehensive primary care alongside convenient pharmacy services.
“The strategic partnership between Walgreens and VillageMD aims to change how healthcare is delivered in this country,” said Jamie Vortherms, VP of healthcare services, Walgreens. “By coordinating Village Medical primary care with Walgreens pharmacy services in our stores and virtually, the patient experience is now improved with more convenient, in-neighborhood access to care.”
[Read More: Walgreens extends same-day delivery to prescriptions]
Village Medical primary care physicians and Walgreens pharmacists work together to provide care for chronic conditions, as well as everyday illnesses and injuries. In Arizona, chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, lung disease, stroke, diabetes and liver disease are responsible for seven out of 10 deaths among Arizonans each year.
In addition, with more than 2,100 daily cases of COVID-19 in the Phoenix area in recent weeks, Village Medical at Walgreens locations provide access to COVID-19 testing and vaccinations through the Walgreens pharmacy.
“Phoenix-area residents, and particularly patients who need ongoing care for chronic conditions, will benefit from our integrated care team and our high-tech, high-touch model,” said Brent Asplin, M.D., president of Village Medical. “We first entered the Phoenix market last year and we’re encouraged by the demand we’ve seen in the area – and we’re just getting started on delivering exceptional care to the community.”
The 22 Village Medical at Walgreens locations in Arizona will create more than 800 jobs within the community. Village Medical will employ nearly 500 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) professionals.