The Alice L. Walton Foundation has teamed up with Washington Regional Medical System to create a new health system in Northwest Arkansas. Alice Walton is the only daughter of Sam Walton, who founded Walmart.
The move comes as Walmart has increasingly stepped into the healthcare space, adding health clinics and services across Walmart locations. The retailer also acquired telehealth provider MeMD last year and most recently launched a virtual diabetes care management program.
The Alice L. Walton Foundation partnered with Cleveland Clinic in a joint initiative last year to identify ways to provide access to Cleveland Clinic’s specialty care services in Northwest Arkansas. That partnership formed after a study by the Northwest Arkansas Council found patients routinely leave the region in order to find access to care and focused on access to cardiac care, digestive health, neurosciences, oncology, orthopedics/spine and behavioral health.
The Alice L. Walton Foundation and Washington Regional Medical System intend to work with Cleveland Clinic to support the growth of healthcare services in the region. The new health system will: increase access to specialty care services for patients to receive care closer to home; expand clinical services in the Northwest Arkansas region; deliver high-quality, whole-person services across the continuum of care; transform the region to value-based care; train the next generation of healthcare professionals; and bolster research capabilities of the Washington Regional Medical System.
“This partnership is all about access, ensuring that residents of our thriving region have ready access to world-class health care services, including specialty care,” Alice Walton said in a statement.
The Northwest Arkansas region is lacking in access to specialty care services, and adding specialty services could add more than $2 billion annually to the healthcare economy by 2040, according to the Northwest Arkansas Council study. Nearly $1 billion is lost every year as patients leave the region to find care services elsewhere. In addition, the region has seen major growth over the past several years, and a more robust healthcare economy is needed to support that growth, the study noted. Walmart is headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas.
The two organizations will develop operational plans for the new partnership and will finalize next steps through the end of the year.
“The creation of the regional health system will advance our mission and vision, including expanding our clinical, academic and operational capabilities, and continuing to invest in our facilities,” Larry Shackelford, president and CEO for Washington Regional Medical System, said in a statement. “Our mission is to improve the health of area residents through compassionate, high-quality care and wellness education, and to act as the central hub for clinical, educational and research activities in Northwest Arkansas.”
With Washington Regional Medical System and Cleveland Clinic, the foundation aims to improve health outcomes in the region and enhance value-based care. The groups will also work with Whole Health School of Medicine for academic and teaching opportunities.
“It’s essential that our healthcare system focus on the whole person—body, mind and spirit—to truly serve the community and improve health and well-being,” Walton said. “With this new partnership, we have the opportunity to take a transformative, innovative approach that can improve health outcomes now and chart the course for a healthier future.”
Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."