Baptist Health, Northeast Florida’s largest health-care system, and Walgreens, the nation’s largest pharmacy company, announced Wednesday they have reached an agreement that Baptist Health CEO Hugh Greene called “a major strategic collaboration … that allows both parties to do what we do best.”
In early January, Baptist will close retail pharmacies at six of its locations, and the downtown pharmacy in the Pavilion at Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville will become a Walgreens.
Walgreens, which currently has about 55 pharmacies in Northeast Florida including 12 that are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, will replace the Baptist retail pharmacies as the primary pharmacy for Baptist Health’s 10,600 employees and their dependents.
In May, Baptist Health will take over three Walgreens Healthcare Clinics that are located inside Walgreens stores. Each will be renamed Baptist Health Clinic at Walgreens. The three are located at Oldfield Crossing in Mandarin, on County Road 220 in Fleming Island and on A1A in Ponte Vedra.
“Collaboration is key in today’s health care environment,” said Katie Lestan, a divisional vice president of Walgreens.
She said the pharmacy company has similar arrangements with three health care systems, including Advocate Health Care in Chicago, where Walgreens’ corporate headquarters are located.
Greene noted that Walgreens, which he called “a trusted provider of pharmacy services,” is a pioneer in digital operations; about 60 percent of the requests for prescription refills at Walgreens stores are made digitally.
The Walgreens mobile app offers a number of tools for customers, including a Balance Rewards customer loyality program that allows consumers to earn points for health related activities. Greene said Baptist Health plans to use a similar approach.
“Together with Walgreens, we are eager to provide value while improving overall health of the communities of Northeast Florida,” Greene said.
Charlie Patton: (904) 359-4413
