LAKELAND, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Publix Pharmacy and Flagler Health+ announce an exclusive collaboration to improve the delivery of health care to the residents of St. Johns County, Florida. The collaboration initially includes three Flagler Health+ branded telehealth sites at Publix locations throughout St. Johns County and an on-site Publix Pharmacy at Flagler Hospital.
“Publix is dedicated to serving our communities, and using technology to make health care more convenient and affordable is one way we can improve the lives of our customers and associates,” said Publix Vice President of Pharmacy Dain Rusk. “Flagler Health+ has a 130-year history of providing the best possible care to the St. Johns County community. We believe this collaboration reflects our common values and will allow both of our organizations to provide better access to health care for everyone in the area.”
“We are extremely pleased to collaborate with Publix Pharmacy. Our shared passion for strengthening communities, improving health and delivering customer value serves as a solid foundation for bringing innovative products and services to the residents of St. Johns County,” stated Flagler Health+ President and CEO Jason Barrett. “Having served Northeast Florida since 1889, we take the trust our community places in us very seriously. Our decision to align with Publix, one of the world’s most admired brands, reflects that.”
The telehealth sites will have a private room with teleconferencing and medical diagnostic equipment, including stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs, high-definition cameras and other tools necessary for common diagnoses. The telehealth sites allow patients to speak directly via video conferencing technology with a board-certified physician. The physician can direct the patient to use the available diagnostic tools in order to make a diagnosis and write any necessary prescriptions. Publix Pharmacy support staff will be available to assist patients, if needed. Fees to use the telehealth site are expected to be competitive with a normal doctor’s office copay, and appointments will not be needed. The locations and opening dates of the telehealth sites are to be determined.
In addition to telehealth services within its stores, Publix will open a pharmacy within Flagler Hospital. This will be the 12th Publix Pharmacy operating within a hospital.
This is Publix’s second collaboration with a regional health system to provide in-store, walk-in care. Publix currently collaborates with BayCare Health System to offer similar telehealth services in four counties around Tampa, Florida. The collaboration is a strategic part of the Flagler Health+ vision to advance the physical, social and economic health of the communities it serves.
About Flagler Health+
Flagler Health+ is a total-care enterprise aimed at advancing the physical, social and economic health of Northeast Florida communities. From serving as the lead agency for the Continuum of Care with an aim to end homelessness to bringing a new concept in health villages throughout the region, Flagler Health+ is here to serve as our patients’ partner on the journey of life. Flagler Health+ is an extension of Flagler Hospital, which has a 130-year legacy of caring for the community. The 335-bed hospital has been named among America’s 100 Best Hospitals out of nearly 4,500 nationwide. Flagler Hospital has also earned the Gold Seal of Approval™ from the Joint Commission for primary stroke care centers, national accreditation for its total hip and total knee replacement programs, accreditation from the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer, Center of Excellence designation for its bariatric surgery center, and ANCC magnet status for nursing excellence. Learn more at flaglerhealth.org.
About Publix
Publix is privately owned and operated by its more than 200,000 employees, with 2017 sales of $34.6 billion. Currently, Publix has 1,213 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. The company has been named one of Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For in America for 21 consecutive years, and ranked No. 1 on Fortune’s inaugural “Best Big Companies” list. In addition, Publix’s dedication to superior quality and customer service is recognized among the top in the grocery business. For more information, visit the company’s website, corporate.publix.com.
