Allenmore Hospital

FOR RITE AID:
Cheryl Slavinsky
(717) 731-6566

FOR MULTICARE HEALTH SYSTEM:
Todd Kelley
(253) 403-1716

Tacoma, WA – Rite Aid Corporation and MultiCare Health System today announced an agreement to open MultiCare Express Clinics inside two Rite Aid stores in Tacoma and Lakewood, WA, this summer. At MultiCare Express Clinics certified nurse practitioners will provide patients with wellness services and quality care for common illnesses such as strep throat, ear aches, flu, bladder infections, bronchitis and allergies as well as laboratory tests, immunizations and health screenings.

“Like Rite Aid, MultiCare is dedicated to enhancing the health of the communities it serves and to upholding its mission of providing and setting the standard for quality patient care in the region,” said Andrew Baron, MD, Primary Care Medical Director for the MultiCare Medical Group. “These new MultiCare Express Clinics will offer convenient, walk-in care for the whole family with minimal wait times at affordable prices. The clinics are affiliated with the resources of the locally based MultiCare Health System, including Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital.”

With the patient’s permission, the MultiCare Express Clinics can provide treatment information to the patient’s primary care provider. Those who need additional services can access the physicians, clinics and hospitals of the MultiCare Health System, the largest health system in the south Puget Sound region.

“Our partnership with MultiCare Health System fits in well with our strategic vision to be the destination for health and wellness services,” said Mark de Bruin, Rite Aid executive vice president of pharmacy. “The MultiCare Express clinics will provide the same quality of healthcare patients would expect from any MultiCare Health System provider.”

About Rite Aid

Rite Aid Corporation is one of the nation’s leading drugstore chains with more than 5,000 stores in 31 states and the District of Columbia with fiscal 2008 annual sales of more than $24.3 billion. Information about Rite Aid, including corporate background and press releases, is available through the company’s website at http://www.riteaid.com.

About MultiCare

MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington since 1882, MultiCare has grown over the years in response to community needs. Today, MultiCare is the area's largest provider of health care services, serving patients at 93 locations in Pierce, South King, Kitsap and Thurston counties. Information about MultiCare is available through the company’s website at http://www.multicare.org.

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