PHILADELPHIA — Rite Aid  and WellSpan Health, an integrated health system serving central Pennsylvania and northern Maryland, announced Monday they have established a partnership to improve health outcomes for WellSpan’s patient population.

Together, Rite Aid and WellSpan Health will share data and insights to close gaps in care and improve continuity across a broader continuum of services, increase immunizations, strengthen medication adherence, and promote in-store opportunities to educate customers on products and services that improve overall health and wellness. The collaboration is anticipated to include clinical services including preventative medicine and chronic disease management and innovative care models designed to improve access to care, quality, and reduce healthcare costs.

“As part of our journey to redefine the modern pharmacy, we’re focused on developing deep, local collaborations to better serve our communities and improve health outcomes for our customers,” said Rite Aid president and CEO Heyward Donigan. “We look forward to supporting WellSpan Health providers in addressing the needs of their patient population.”

“As we explore innovative solutions to create healthier outcomes and better access to care throughout our region, we are excited to collaborate with a partner who shares our vision,” said Roxanna Gapstur, PhD, RN, president and chief executive officer, WellSpan Health. “Together, we have the opportunity to enhance medication adherence to our mutually shared patients and connect with new patients seeking a relationship with a trusted, healthcare provider.”

Annually, Rite Aid serves over 100,000 customers with a WellSpan Health provider across its 45 locations within WellSpan Health’s service area in central Pennsylvania and northern Maryland.

The collaboration between Rite Aid and WellSpan Health seeks to focus on preventing, diagnosing, managing and treating illnesses through joint services and care models across the service area for WellSpan Health (Adams, Berks, Cumberland, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York Counties in Pennsylvania; and Frederick and Washington Counties in Maryland).