MinuteClinic opens first clinic in Topeka

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — The first MinuteClinic walk-in medical clinic in Topeka, Kan., opened Wednesday inside the CVS/pharmacy store, joining 11 additional clinic locations in the state.



Topeka Mayor Larry Wolgast joined CVS Health and MinuteClinic executives at the grand opening.



"Targeted expansion into markets like Topeka brings high-quality, convenient and affordable health care services to community members," stated Andrew Sussman, president, MinuteClinic and EVP/associate chief medical officer, CVS Health.  "There is a need for more accessible and affordable health care in Kansas, and the demand for MinuteClinic services will continue to grow due, in part, to the shortage of primary care physicians, the aging Baby Boomer population and the influx of newly insured patients through the Affordable Care Act."



Nancy Zaner, MinuteClinic Midwest area director, said that MinuteClinic is committed to helping patients find a medical home and believes it can play a complementary role in working with primary care providers.



"About 50% of MinuteClinic visits occur on evenings, weekends and holidays when patients may not be able to get an appointment with their primary care provider," Zaner stated. "And about half of the patients seen at MinuteClinic are 'medically homeless' and do not have a personal physician."