DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreen Co. is expanding its Healthcare Clinic retail locations with entry into the Dallas/Fort Worth market.

The company plans to bring 13 Healthcare Clinics at selected Walgreens locations to the Dallas Metroplex by the end of 2014. The first clinic opened July 28 in Southlake, Texas.

“Our expansion into Dallas/Fort Worth reflects our continued effort to enhance access to high-quality, affordable care and well-being services in our communities,” said Suzanne Hansen, Walgreens’ group vice president, Healthcare Clinic. “There is an ever-increasing demand for health care resources in today’s environment.

“With our track record of success and a longtime presence in the Houston market, we’re confident Healthcare Clinic nurse practitioners can play an important role in working collaboratively with other providers in the community and providing personalized care to help more people get, stay and live well.”

There are currently 15 Healthcare Clinics at select Walgreens locations in the Houston area, with plans to add another 14 Healthcare Clinics in the market this year. Nationwide, there are more than 400 Healthcare Clinics across 23 states and in Washington, D.C.

A recent Walgreens study found that retail clinics play an increasingly important role for health care delivery across the United States, as patients are relying more frequently on nurse practitioners at retail clinics to provide chronic and preventive health services.

Specifically, the study found that the percentage of visits to Healthcare Clinic locations for preventive health services, health screenings and chronic visit utilization (combined) increased from 4% in 2007 to 17% in 2013. Return patient visits to Healthcare Clinic climbed from 15% in 2007 to more than 50% in both 2012 and 2013.

The Healthcare Clinic is open seven days a week, with extended evening and weekend hours, offering walk-in availability as well as same-day online appointment scheduling. Healthcare Clinic accepts most major insurance plans as well as Medicare and Medicaid, and offers affordable, transparent pricing for those without insurance coverage.