Advocate Health closing Illinois clinics inside of Walgreens


Photo: Courtesy Walgreens
Advocate Health Care is closing 47 clinics it operates inside Walgreens in Illinois.
“After careful consideration, Advocate Health Care has made the decision to shift operations at our Advocate Clinics at Walgreens in Illinois, effective February 6, 2025,” said an Advocate Health care spokesperson. “This allows us to focus on additional ways patients prefer to access care, when and where they need it, including expanded virtual services that provide care within the comfort of their own home, as well as convenient access to urgent care and primary care locations in the community.”
All 47 clinics in Illinois are staffed by one to two medical office assistants, along with additional clinicians who support virtual care operations, Advocate said.
“We are partnering closely with Walgreens to navigate this transition and will support employees by working to find them alternative roles within our organization that best align with their skills and preferences,” the spokesperson said.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Advocate, a nonprofit health system of 67 hospitals, is the largest provider of medical care in the Chicago area, according to Forbes. Advocate took over the Illinois clinics that were started by Walgreens in 2016.
The health system recently announced it is investing $1 billion to expand access to primary care, specialty care and wellness services on the South Side of Chicago by opening Neighborhood Care locations in familiar settings such as churches and community centers. Advocate said it is also enhancing its Imani Village outpatient clinic by adding more doctors and expanding services and appointment availability.
“This is one of the largest, long-term community-focused healthcare investments in the nation aimed at closing the 30-year life expectancy gap between individuals who reside on the South Side, and those residing and living longer on the North Side,” Advocate said.
Walgreens said it was now offering convenient, affordable online doctor visits in Illinois, according to the Forbes report.
THE LARGER TREND
As Walgreens has suffered financial losses, it has backed away from the urgent care market.
Walgreens invested more than $6 billion in 2021 to acquire a majority stake in VillageMD, according to Forbes but closed about half of those clinics in 2024 due to financial pressures. Last year the company said it planned over $1 billion in cuts.
Email the writer: SMorse@himss.org