First Posted: 10/29/2011
LUMBERTON — The Lumberton Walmart is adding another customer option beginning on Monday — a walk-in medical clinic.
“You could literally live here,” said Christy Bullard, a certified family nurse practitioner who will provide care at the clinic. “You can get your groceries, do your banking, get your eyes checked and now, we’re here.”
The Clinic at Walmart, owned and operated by Southeastern Regional Medical Center, is set to open on Monday inside the Walmart store located at 5070 Fayetteville Road. It will provide affordable basic health care services, seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., with no appointment necessary.
“By joining with Walmart to operate The Clinic at Walmart, Southeastern Regional Medical Center is improving access to health care in our community,” said Joann Anderson, SRMC president and CEO. “Our clinic is staffed with licensed health care providers, even on weekends, so families can walk in and know they will receive quality care without a long wait. Our mission is to serve and improve the health of this community, and the clinic is one more way we fulfill our mission.”
Dr. Donald Morando, of Southeastern Medical Clinic in Fairmont, will serve as the medical director at the clinic. Another nurse practitioner will be hired to join Bullard at the clinic, according to Morando.
The clinic will treat common health ailments and offer routine services for: acne; bladder infections; earaches; flu; insect bites and stings; minor wounds; sinus infections; upper respiratory infections; and wart removal. It will also perform blood sugar testing, physicals, cholesterol screening and administer common vaccinations.
The clinic is classified as “convenient care” as opposed to primary care and should not take the place of regular doctor’s visits, Bullard said.
“This is not a urgent car or emergency room type situation either,” Morando said.
Bullard says patients suffering from major chest pain, extreme allergic reactions, broken bones, labor pains or contractions or extreme shortness of breath should bypass the clinic and head straight to the emergency room.
“Most anything else I can evaluate at the clinic and refer them and get them the help they need,” Bullard said.
The 450-square-foot clinic is situated in the front of the store, beside the Eye Care clinic. It features a small reception and waiting area, two exam rooms, a lab area and bathroom.
A medical office assistant, stationed at the reception area, will hand out pagers — like those patrons receive at a restaurant that activated when a table is ready — so visitors can shop while they wait to see the nurse practitioner.
Bullard said that she will be able to write prescriptions or suggest medicines that patients can find just a few aisles over in the Walmart pharmacy.
The clinic accepts most major insurance plans as well as Medicare, Medicaid and cash payments.
There will be about 130 other medical clinics opening in Walmart stores across 30 states. The Pembroke Walmart is expected to get a clinic next year that will also be managed by Southeastern Regional.
Walmart and Southeastern Regional Medical Center will celebrate the grand opening at the clinic on Nov. 14 from 3 to 5 p.m. (910) 739-0133.
