Published on July 29, 2010

Health Caring: CVS, St. Vincent's agree to clinic partnership

by Jeremy Cox, Times-Union Medical Reporter

Walk-in clinics operated by pharmacy chain CVS Caremark in Northeast Florida are now affiliated with St. Vincent’s HealthCare, the companies have announced.

Under the agreement, St. Vincent’s family physicians will serve as medical directors for the area’s seven MinuteClinics. The in-store clinics specialize in treating minor wounds and common illnesses such as strep throat and bladder infections.

“As we have experienced in other parts of the country, strategic clinical affiliations between MinuteClinic and major health systems such as St. Vincent’s can help to enhance the delivery of health care services in a convenient and accessible setting,” said Andrew Sussman, president of MinuteClinic and senior vice president for its parent, CVS.

The partnership will allow MinuteClinic nurse practitioners to refer more serious cases to St. Vincent’s hospitals, which include St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Riverside and St. Luke’s Hospital on the Southside.

The deal is similar to one finalized earlier this year between Baptist Health and Jacksonville-based walk-in clinic operator Solantic.

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