Rite Aid unit forms joint venture with regional health system

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid Corp.’s RediClinic has formed a joint venture with New Jersey health system Hackensack Meridian Health to open co-branded retail clinics.

Plans call for the first of 10 clinics to start opening later this year, RediClinic said Tuesday. The walk-in clinics will be called Hackensack Meridian Health RediClinics and be located inside Rite Aid pharmacies in Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean counties in New Jersey.

Web Golinkin, RediClinic CEO

In Monmouth and Ocean counties, Hackensack Meridian Health also is a partner in nine urgent care centers and four AfterHours walk-in care centers, designed to provide convenient, cost-effective alternatives to going to an emergency room.

“It has always been a core part of RediClinic’s strategy to partner with leading health care systems, and we are excited to be continuing this strategy with one of the leading providers in New Jersey,” RediClinic chief executive officer Web Golinkin said in a statement. “The joint venture structure will facilitate and accelerate a high level of clinical integration with other Hackensack Meridian providers and facilities, which will maximize the quality, accessibility and cost-effectiveness of care for New Jersey residents.”

The Hackensack Meridian Health RediClinics will be staffed with nurse practitioners who will be employees of Hackensack Meridian and overseen by local medical directors affiliated with the health network.

RediClinic said the nurse practitioners will be licensed to diagnose, treat and prescribe medications for common medical conditions, as well as provide preventive services, such as health screenings, medical tests, immunizations and basic physical exams, including back-to-school and sports physicals. RediClinic’s Weigh Forward weight/lifestyle management program also will also be offered.

“We are excited to be partnering with RediClinic, one of the pioneers in convenient care, as we continue to find more ways for people to access high-quality care when and where they need it at affordable rates,” stated Dean Lin, regional president and executive sponsor of convenient care for for Hackensack Meridian Health. “Working with our broad network of primary care physicians, we want to continue to connect people to convenient services.”

The Hackensack Meridian Health system includes 13 hospitals, along with physician practices, more than 120 ambulatory care centers, surgery centers, home health services, long-term care and assisted living communities, ambulance services, lifesaving air medical transportation, fitness and wellness centers, rehabilitation centers, and urgent care and after-hours centers. The network has more than 6,000 physicians.

In February, RediClinic announced co-branded clinics in the greater Philadelphia area under an alliance with regional health care provider Aria Health. And last year, RediClinic entered a joint venture to operate clinics with MultiCare Health System, a nonprofit health care group serving Washington’s Puget Sound region.

Overall, RediClinic operates 48 clinics in Rite Aid stores in the greater Philadelphia, Baltimore/Washington, D.C., and Seattle areas and  35 clinics inside H-E-B supermarkets in Houston, Austin, and San Antonio, Texas.