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September 1, 2010

Palmyra Walmart to open health clinic

By Scott Monroe smonroe@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer

PALMYRA -- You can count the Walmart Supercenter here as the latest to open a walk-in health clinic run by a local hospital.

The Clinic at Walmart, operated by Pittsfield-based Sebasticook Valley Hospital, will begin taking patients Sept. 9 and will hold a grand opening Sept. 10, hospital officials said Tuesday.

The Walmart clinic, at 1573 Main St. near downtown Newport, came on the heels of an identical clinic that opened at the Waterville Walmart a month ago. In fact, it marks the 100th clinic to open at a Walmart store nationwide, according to Sue diRosario, spokeswoman for Sebasticook Valley Hospital.

Like other such clinics, Palmyra's will be staffed by a handful of hospital employees and will not take appointments, diRosario said.

It's ideal for services such as sports physicals or check-ups for ailments such as strep throat, she said.

"We've been planning it for some time," diRosario said. "The intent is not to take the place of the emergency department and not to take the place of one's primary-care provider. It's for those times where it's not something that requires an emergency department visit, but you still think it's something that should be seen before you can get in to see your regular provider."

Sebasticook Valley Hospital's parent company, Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems, has opened retail clinics this year in Bangor, Brewer and Presque Isle, in addition to the Waterville clinic run by Inland Hospital.

At the Palmyra clinic, Sebasticook Valley Hospital will have three providers and one medical assistant, diRosario said. There will be two exam rooms, a small laboratory and patient meeting area.

"We have one member of our staff who will be transferring into that role (medical assistant) and we are hiring additional experienced staff," she said.

Dr. Steven Badeen, a provider at the hospital's Sebasticook Regional Family Care office in Newport, will be the Walmart clinic's medical director.

The clinic's hours will be Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.

The price of services ranges from about $14 to $69.

Scott Monroe -- 861-9239

smonroe@centralmaine.com

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