COLUMBUS, Ohio — The clinical collaboration between The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Kroger and The Little Clinic will expand in June to include all current locations of The Little Clinic inside Columbus area Kroger stores. Originally formed in 2011 between The Little Clinic and the OSU CarePoint Lewis Center primary care office, the growth of this relationship will provide additional convenience and added health care resources for both organizations. OSU Wexner Medical Center physicians will also serve in the collaborating physician role for The Little Clinic.
“Community support for our clinical affiliation has been very strong at our Care Point Lewis Center location and we are excited to increase its reach to all of our facilities and services across central Ohio,” said Dan Like, Executive Director, Ambulatory Services, OSU Wexner Medical Center. “Kroger and The Little Clinic share our dedication to improving the health of Ohioans and we are confident that together we are making positive strides in this regard.”
Dr. Ken Patric, chief medical officer for The Little Clinic added, “Clinicians at The Little Clinic often provide treatment to patients who lack a primary care provider, need a higher level of care or require a specialist to address specific health care needs. The affiliation with OSU Wexner Medical Center gives us the ability to connect the patient with the appropriate provider for their health care needs. At the same time, OSU Wexner Medical Center clinicians can offer The Little Clinic as a convenient option for quality care of common illnesses, a source for physicals, vaccinations, and much more, especially after hours and on weekends.”
The Little Clinic currently operates seven locations in the Columbus area and will open six more clinics over the summer, nearly doubling its footprint in the market. All 13 locations are included in the OSU affiliation.
On Tuesday, June 18, The Little Clinic and OSU Wexner Medical Center will formally announce the affiliation expansion at The Little Clinic inside Kroger at 199 Graceland Blvd., at 9 a.m. followed by a community health fair from 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Dr. Steven Gabbe, CEO of OSU Wexner Medical Center, Bruce Macaulay, Kroger Columbus Division President, Dr. Ken Patric, Chief Medical Officer of The Little Clinic and Michael J. Stoll, Chief Executive Officer of The Little Clinic, will provide opening remarks to be followed by free health screenings and refreshments as well as other free activities for consumers.
About Kroger
Kroger, the nation’s largest traditional grocery retailer, employs more than 339,000 associates who serve customers in 2,422 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Jay C, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith’s. The Company also operates 790 convenience stores, 323 fine jewelry stores, 1,141 supermarket fuel centers and 37 food processing plants in the U.S. Recognized by Forbes as the most generous company in America in 2010, Kroger supports hunger relief, breast cancer awareness, the military and their families, and more than 30,000 schools and grassroots organizations in the communities it serves. Kroger contributes food and funds equal to 160 million meals a year through more than 80 Feeding America food bank partners. For more information, visit Kroger.com.
About The Little Clinic
Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., The Little Clinic is a pioneer in customer-focused health care with a mission to provide convenient, affordable health care and wellness education. A wholly-owned subsidiary of The Kroger Company, The Little Clinic health care clinics are currently located inside select Kroger stores in Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee and Ohio; King Soopers in Colorado and Fry’s Food Stores in Arizona. The Little Clinic earned The Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval™ in March 2009. Visit The Little Clinic online at
www.thelittleclinic.com,
www.facebook.com/thelittleclinic and
www.thelittleclinic.blogspot.com.
About The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Ohio State University’s academic medical center includes the College of Medicine and the OSU Health System, comprising University Hospital, James Cancer Hospital, University Hospital East, OSU Harding, Ross Heart Hospital and a network of community care sites.
###
CONTACT:
Jennifer Martin, Alday Communications for The Little Clinic, 615.791.1535
Jackie Siekmann, Media and Government Relations Manager, Kroger, 614-898-3223
OSU Wexner Medical Center, Public Affairs and Media Relations, 614-293-3737
