Schnucks Partners on New In-Store Clinic

Midwestern grocery chain Schnuck Markets Inc. has partnered with Centene Corp. and Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers to launch a full-service clinic inside the Schnucks supermarket in Ferguson, Mo.

The People's Healthcare Services Clinic by Home State Health represents Centene's continued investment in the city of Ferguson. Centene's initial investment of more than $1.3 million through its Home State Health subsidiary will establish the health center, scheduled to open in November.

"We welcome the People's Health Clinic to the new Schnucks Ferguson and thank them and Centene for their commitment to the residents of the North St. Louis County area," said Todd Schnuck, chairman and CEO of Schnuck Markets. "Partnering in this clinic is an example of our commitment to nourish people's lives by focusing on health-and-wellness programs in the communities we serve."

Schnucks is donating the space in its Ferguson store for the primary care and urgent care center for adults and children over age 3. Centene will support the health center's operations, while clinical staff from People's Health will provide medical services. Once the facility is fully operational, it will be able to provide services to more than 8,000 people annually.

"We are proud of the relationship we have with Schnucks and People's Health on this project. I want to compliment Schnucks for their willingness to work on this important project in such an expeditious manner. Equally important is the partnership and longstanding relationship we have with People's Health," said Michael F. Neidorff, chairman, president and CEO of St. Lous-based Centene. "All three of us are committed to serving the population of Ferguson and continuing with the incredible revitalization of the area."

Services offered at the clinic include low-acuity primary care and urgent care for adults and children; immunization services, lab work, dental services through a mobile unit, and referral to other needed services, including primary care; X-ray and screening mammography; women, infants and children (WIC) services; women's health (OB-GYN); and social services.

"Clearly, potent partnerships will be critical in our efforts to help heal our vulnerable communities," said Dwayne Butler, CEO of People's Health Centers. "To this end, we at People's are very excited to work with Centene, Home State Health and Schnucks to bring valuable primary health care resources to the Ferguson community, together providing and increasing access to quality health care in that community."

Centene has been actively engaged in rebuilding the Ferguson community for several years.  In 2016, Centene opened a 45,000-square-foot service center in Ferguson that creates 250 new jobs and includes a state-of-the-art bistro, fitness center and on-site early-childhood development center, as well as a community center available to the Ferguson community.

Centene was also a partner to the Boys and Girls Club of Greater St. Louis in launching Ferguson's first club. Additionally, Centene contributed to the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis to build a job-training center on West Florissant Avenue in Ferguson.

Founded in St. Louis in 1939, Schnuck Markets Inc. operates 100 stores in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Iowa.