CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. - (Business Wire) Take Care Health Systems, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Walgreens (NYSE, NASDAQ: WAG) and one of the largest managers of convenient care clinics, is now offering school and sports physicals for $25 at Take Care Clinics nationwide. Take Care Clinics, located at select Walgreens drugstores, provide high-quality, convenient and affordable health care to all patients 18 months and older.
“School and sports physicals for school-aged children and adolescents are a great service that our clinics can offer the communities we serve. These physicals are an opportunity to screen for undetected medical conditions as well as a means to ensure the overall health and wellness of children,” said Sandra Festa Ryan, Chief Nurse Practitioner Officer for Take Care Health Systems. “Going back to school is a busy time for parents, and we’re committed to providing accessible and affordable care to those who need a school or sports physical in a convenient setting.”
School and sports physicals at a Take Care Clinic do not take the place of a child’s yearly routine health exam and complete developmental assessment. Take Care Health Providers encourage all patients to have a primary care provider or pediatrician who can facilitate this longer-term relationship and care.
Back-to-school season is also a great time to ensure children are up to date on vaccines. Take Care Health Providers will certify that immunizations are updated and will administer the appropriate vaccines, such as Menactra to protect against bacterial meningitis and Tdap or Td to protect against tetanus. It is recommended that patients bring a copy of their vaccination and immunization records, as well as a copy of their medical history to the Take Care Clinic in order to receive a school or sports physical.
If the provider detects a condition that falls outside the scope of service at the clinic, the child is referred back to his/her primary care provider for follow-on care. If a patient does not have a primary care provider, assistance can be offered in finding one for the family. Take Care Health Providers collaborate with local physicians who are available for consultation at all times the provider is treating a patient.
Take Care Health Systems uses nationally recognized, evidence-based clinical guidelines for treatment and electronic medical record technology allowing patients to take visit records to other providers, promoting continuity of care. Take Care Health Providers follow quality and safety standards as outlined by the Convenient Care Association, the industry’s trade association.
Take Care Health Systems is part of Walgreens new Health and Wellness division, alongside Walgreens newly acquired I-trax/CHD Meridian Healthcare and Whole Health Management, providers of worksite health centers that operate under the name Take Care Employer Solutions. Including Take Care Health Clinics, the Walgreens Health and Wellness division manages more than 560 worksite health and wellness centers and retail health clinics.
Take Care Health Systems currently manages 197 clinics in 24 markets throughout 14 states, including Atlanta, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Ohio, Denver, Green Bay, Wis., Houston, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Madison, Wis., Miami, Milwaukee, Nashville, Tenn., Orlando, Fla., Oshkosh, Wis., Peoria, Ill., Pittsburgh, Rockford, Ill., St. Louis, Tampa, Fla., Tucson, Ariz., West Palm Beach, Fla. and Wichita, Kan.
About Take Care Health SystemsSM
Take Care Health Systems (www.takecarehealth.com), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Walgreens, is part of Walgreens Health and Wellness division, which includes Take Care Consumer Solutions, managers of convenient care clinics located at Walgreens drugstores nationwide, and Take Care Employer Solutions, managers of worksite-based health and wellness services. The company combines best practices in health care and the expertise and personal care of providers to deliver access to high-quality, affordable and convenient health care to all individuals. The Take Care Consumer Solutions group currently manages 197 Take Care Clinics in 24 markets throughout 14 states, with plans to have approximately 400 clinics in operation by the end of 2008. Patient care at each of the Take Care Clinics is provided by Take Care Health Services, an independently owned state professional corporation established in each market. Take Care Employer Solutions manages primary care, health and wellness and occupational health centers at 364 employer campuses across more than 170 clients in 44 states, including the District of Columbia and Guam, with approximately 400 sites projected by the end of 2008.
About Walgreens
Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) is the nation's largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2007 sales of $53.8 billion. The company operates 6,356 drugstores in 49 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Walgreens provides the most convenient access to consumer goods and cost-effective health care services in America through its retail drugstores, Walgreens Health Services division and Walgreens Health and Wellness division. Walgreens Health Services assists pharmacy patients and prescription drug and medical plans through Walgreens Health Initiatives Inc. (a pharmacy benefit manager), Walgreens Mail Service Inc., Walgreens Home Care Inc., Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy LLC and SeniorMed LLC (a pharmacy provider to long-term care facilities). Walgreens Health and Wellness division includes Take Care Health Systems, which is comprised of: Take Care Consumer Solutions, managers of 197 convenient care clinics at Walgreens drugstores, and Take Care Employer Solutions, managers of worksite-based health and wellness services at 364 employer campuses.
Emily Cleary for Take Care Health Systems
212-446-1873
ecleary@sloanepr.com
