Five new full-service, primary care practices to open in Jacksonville.

DEERFIELD, Ill. – Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) and VillageMD  rolled out plans on Wednesday to open five new Village Medical at Walgreens coordinated primary care practices in the Jacksonville area through summer 2022, with the first opening on Feb. 15 at 105 Julington Plaza Drive. These openings represent expansion into the third major market in Florida, following Orlando and Tampa.

“At Village Medical at Walgreens, we are simplifying healthcare for our patients by combining the primary care and pharmacy experience,” said Dr. Lynn Cosentino, a local Village Medical physician. “Jacksonville residents, and particularly patients with chronic health conditions, will benefit from the collaboration between the primary care and pharmacy teams, which offers comprehensive care and ongoing support.”

Village Medical at Walgreens primary care practices in the Jacksonville area offer more than 3,000 square feet of state-of-the-art space for delivering comprehensive primary care services and will create more than 295 full-time jobs, including 100 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) professionals, such as physicians, nurse practitioners, and medical assistants. Physicians and pharmacists are empowered to focus on providing patient care and achieving positive health outcomes.

Through the Walgreens and VillageMD coordinated care model, patients can receive care for chronic health conditions, as well aspreventive services and treatment for everyday illnesses and injuries. Physicians and pharmacists collaborate closely to fill prescriptions immediately following medical visits, often at the same location, and ensure patients have ongoing access to support that helps them get and stay healthy.

“Consumers are looking for an affordable, convenient and safe healthcare experience,” said Joel Slocum, director of pharmacy and retail operations at Walgreens. “By combining the expertise of the primary care and pharmacy teams and localizing healthcare, we can help improve the health and well-being of our communities.”

In Florida, the number of people living with three or more chronic health conditions continues to skyrocket, from 2.4 million people in 2015 to a projected 6.2 million people by 2030.[ii] If current trends continue, the projected medical and productivity cost of chronic disease in 2030 is $8,800 per Florida resident. Access to cost-effective, personalized primary care matters more than ever.

With the Jacksonville openings, Walgreens and VillageMD have opened more than 80 primary care practices across 12 markets including Arizona, Florida, Texas, Kentucky and Indiana. The companies are on track to open more than 200 practices by the end of this year.

Village Medical at Walgreens primary care practices accept a wide range of health insurance options including Medicaid and Medicare in participating markets. Patients may access care and support through in-person, at-home and telehealth visits.