CoxHealth, Skaggs announce partnership to operate

Branson, Mo. – Oct. 20, 2009 – Today, Walmart, CoxHealth and Skaggs Regional Medical Center announced a new collaboration – “The Clinic at Walmart” operated by CoxHealth in partnership with Skaggs Regional Medical Center. This new convenient care clinic will be located in the Branson Walmart supercenter at 1101 Branson Hills Parkway and will open Monday, Nov. 2. The clinic will offer the same fast, affordable access to basic health care services available at Springfield-area locations, and will be the first location in Branson. This is CoxHealth’s fifth in-store clinic in an area Walmart supercenter.

This clinic will be operated as a joint venture between CoxHealth and Skaggs. CoxHealth will oversee day-to-day operations of the clinic, while nurse practitioners and collaborating physicians will be provided by both health systems.

“We’re happy to be able to collaborate in this partnership, and to bring The Clinic at Walmart model to those who live in and visit Branson,” says David Taylor, CoxHealth vice president of Regional Services. “This partnership allows us to work jointly with Skaggs and offer yet another avenue to provide quality, affordable care to the community.”

“The Clinic at Walmart has provided us a great opportunity to partner with CoxHealth to provide another location for area residents and visitors to access medical care for minor illnesses,” says Joan Phillips, Skaggs Interim CEO. “The delivery of health care services is ever-changing. As Baby Boomers age and Generation Y and X seek medical services, they are looking for convenience. So it is exciting to see three organizations come together to provide that convenience at The Clinic at Walmart.”

The clinics serve as an alternative for people at least 18 months old who are sick enough to need care, but aren’t sick enough to need the level of care available in an emergency department or urgent care clinic. The clinics are also an affordable option for patients who might otherwise postpone or avoid care because they lack insurance, have concerns about the cost, or are away from home and in need of basic medical services.

The clinics offer upfront pricing and prompt access to acute and preventive care for common health ailments treatable without urgent or emergency care, including sore throats, sinus infections, upper respiratory infections, earaches, bladder infections, insect bites and stings, cholesterol screening, blood sugar testing, vaccinations, drug screening and routine physicals. Clinics offer walk-in service seven days a week and evening hours.

Walmart has 44 in-store clinics in 12 states. For further information about “The Clinic at Walmart”, please visit www.walmart.com/clinics. For more information about CoxHealth, please visit www.coxhealth.com. For more information about Skaggs Regional Medical Center, please visit www.skaggs.net.

About CoxHealth
CoxHealth is accredited by The Joint Commission and distinguished as one of the nation’s Top 100 Integrated Healthcare Systems (2006-2009). Established in 1906 and based in Springfield, Mo., CoxHealth serves more than 900,000 people in a 25-county service area in southwest Missouri and northwest Arkansas. Our services include three hospitals and more than 50 physician clinics in 20 communities, Oxford HealthCare (a home health agency), Home Parenteral Services (home infusion therapy), CoxHealth Foundation, Cox College, Cox Family Medicine Residency and much more.

About Skaggs
Skaggs Regional Medical Center is accredited by The Joint Commission. Skaggs ranks among the top 5% of all hospitals in the nation and has achieved the HealthGrades™ Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence® (2006-2009). Skaggs ranks among the top 25 “Most Wired Small and Rural Hospitals” and in the top 25 “Most Wireless Hospitals” in the nation. Our services include our Branson hospital, more than 20 satellite clinics in Taney and Stone Counties, Skaggs Professional Home Care, Skaggs Professional Hospice, Branson Heart Center, Skaggs Cancer Center, Skaggs Foundation and much more.

About Walmart
Every week, millions of customers visit Walmart stores, Neighborhood Markets, and Sam’s Club locations across America or log on to its online store at www.walmart.com. The company and its Foundation are committed to a philosophy of giving back locally. Walmart (NYSE: WMT) is proud to support the causes that are important to customers and associates right in their own neighborhoods, and last year gave more than $378 million to local communities in the United States. More information about Walmart can be found by visiting www.walmartstores.com.

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