St. Louis-based Mercy plans to lease clinics at former Walmart Health locations.
The health system intends to open the outpatient locations at three Walmart stores in Arkansas (Fort Smith, Rogers and Springdale) by the end of the summer. Walmart Health said April 30 it would be shutting down, closing its virtual care business and 51 healthcare centers; Humana said July 24 it planned to take over 23 of the clinics.
"Working with Walmart to lease these exceptionally well-located clinic spaces aligns with Mercy's consumer experience and growth strategy in Arkansas," said Ryan Gehrig, president of Mercy Arkansas Communities, in a July 25 statement. "These new Arkansas Mercy Primary Care locations will provide great benefits to our communities, most importantly for patients who shop and use Walmart stores."
The locations will provide primary care with appointments and walk-in availability during yet-to-be-announced business hours. Mercy said it would offer jobs to providers who previously worked at the Walmart Health Centers, which closed June 28.