Geisinger, Weis Markets open region's first in-store clinic

Aug. 17, WILKES-BARE — Geisinger Health System and Weis Markets announce the opening of the first CareWorks Convenient Healthcare clinic at Weis Markets superstore in Clarks Summit, PA, near Scranton.  

The in-store clinic, located in space that Geisinger Health System has leased from Weis Markets, is a first in the region, offering quick, convenient and affordable treatment for many minor, common illnesses and routine tests.

The grand opening took place on Thursday August 17 and featured a short presentation and ribbon-cutting ceremony with Glenn Steele, Jr., MD, president and chief executive officer, Geisinger Health System, Norman S. Rich, president and chief executive officer, Weis Markets, and Dean Lin, vice president, Diversified Services and Business Development for Geisinger Health System.

CareWorks Convenient Healthcare clinic hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. No appointment is necessary, and little or no waiting time is expected, with pagers available if someone is being seen when a customer arrives.  The clinic visit itself is expected to last 15 minutes or less. Services are available for adults and children one year and older.

The CareWorks clinic is staffed by physician-supervised, certified nurse practitioners, who are licensed to treat common illnesses and write most prescriptions.

Patients of CareWorks can receive treatment for minor illnesses and injuries such as sore throat, bronchitis, ear infections, minor sprains and strains, flu symptoms and pinkeye; cholesterol testing and other health screenings; sports and camp physicals; immunizations and laboratory tests, including reference lab testing if required.  Prices range from $10 to $100, with an average cost of about $55, including most laboratory testing.  Some of the services are covered by health insurance, depending on individual benefit plans.  All costs are substantially less than fees in urgent care centers or emergency rooms.

“CareWorks is not intended to be a substitute for a personal physician, although CareWorks nurse practitioners will work closely with each patient’s personal physician to coordinate care,” said medical director Nancy Gilhooley, MD, FAAFP.  “People who are treated at CareWorks also will have an opportunity to register for MyGeisinger, giving them remote web access to their laboratory results, medication history and other personal health record data.”

Additional clinics are planned to open within the year. The CareWorks clinics are developed and operated by Geisinger Ventures, which is focused on technology and innovation. 

Geisinger Health System is the foremost rural healthcare provider in the United States.  Founded in 1915, it has evolved into one of the nation's leading fully integrated healthcare providers. Serving more than two million residents throughout central and northeastern Pennsylvania, the physician-led organization is at the forefront of the country's rapidly emerging electronic health records movement. With three major regional medical centers and a 650-member group practice, the pioneering system is home to the industry's pre-eminent not-for-profit rural HMO and the renowned Geisinger Center for Health Research—dedicated to creating innovative new models for patient care, satisfaction and clinical outcomes.  For more information, visit www.geisinger.org.

Weis Markets, which is based in Sunbury, PA, is a Mid-Atlantic supermarket company.  It currently operates 158 stores in six states: Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia and West Virginia.  The company also owns SuperPetz, a pet supply superstore chain with 31 units in 10 states.
 
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