To open nine full-service, primary care practices over the next year.

DEERFIELD, Ill.— Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) and VillageMD announced Wednesday plans to expand into San Antonio with the opening of nine Village Medical at Walgreens primary care practices over the next year. These openings represent expansion into the fifth major market in Texas, following Houston, El Paso, Austin and Dallas. Through the Walgreens and VillageMD coordinated care model, patients receive full-service primary care alongside convenient and cost-effective pharmacy services.

“San Antonio residents deserve access to comprehensive, high-quality primary care,” said Dr. Tyra Francis, a local Village Medical physician. “For patients with chronic conditions, our coordinated care model is especially beneficial – with increased opportunities to experience improved healthcare outcomes and lowered costs of care.”

Chronic health conditions account for 75% of Texas healthcare expenditures, yet many areas lack access to primary care. In fact, Texas ranks 47^th in the nation in the number of primary care providers accessible to residents.

“Walgreens and VillageMD are on a mission to make healthcare simpler,” said Rick Fernandez, registered pharmacist and regional health care director for Greater Texas, Walgreens. “As people’s medical needs continue to evolve with the current pandemic, we’re providing them greater access to more personalized care using a streamlined approach that leverages the collaborative expertise of our pharmacy teams and Village Medical’s physicians.”

Village Medical primary care physicians and Walgreens pharmacists work together to provide care for chronic health conditions, preventive services and treatment of everyday illnesses and injuries. Within the same visit, patients have access to care from physicians while also ensuring their prescriptions, medication refills and affordable substitution options are readily available.

Soon, these Village Medical at Walgreens locations in San Antonio will create more than 850 full-time jobs within the area.Village Medical will employ 380 well-compensated STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) professionals.

Walgreens Boots Alliance recently announced an increased investment in VillageMD to advance its strategic position in the delivery of value-based primary care. This investment will accelerate the opening of at least 600 Village Medical at Walgreens primary care practices in more than 30 U.S. markets by 2025 and 1,000 by 2027, with more than half of those practices in medically underserved communities.

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