Sept. 3, 2007, TANNERSVILLE — Geisinger Health System and Weis Markets announce the opening of their CareWorks Convenient Healthcare clinic at Mr. Z’s superstore in Tannersville, PA.

The in-store clinic, located in space that Geisinger Health System has leased from Weis Markets, offers quick, convenient and affordable treatment for many common medical illnesses and routine tests. CareWorks Convenient Healthcare is open every day with clinic hours of 8 am to 8 pm Monday through Friday, and 10 am to 4 pm Saturday and Sunday. No appointment is necessary, and little or no waiting time is expected, with pagers available if someone is being seen when a customer arrives.  Most clinic visits average 15 minutes. Services are available for adults and children one year and older.

The CareWorks clinic is staffed by board certified, licensed medical professionals, nurse practitioners or physician assistants, who are licensed to treat common illnesses and write prescriptions when medically appropriate.

Patients of CareWorks can receive treatment for minor illnesses and injuries such as sore throat, bronchitis, ear infections, minor sprains and strains, flu symptoms and pinkeye; cholesterol testing and other health screenings; sports and camp physicals; immunizations and laboratory tests, including reference lab testing if required. Prices are posted up-front in a menu board, with most services costing $49. While patients can pay cash, CareWorks also accepts many insurance plans. All costs are substantially less than fees in urgent care centers or emergency rooms.

“CareWorks is not intended to be a substitute for a personal physician, although CareWorks nurse practitioners will work closely with each patient’s personal physician to coordinate care,” said medical director Nancy Gilhooley, MD, FAAFP.  “People who are treated at CareWorks also will have an opportunity to register for MyGeisinger, giving them remote web access to their laboratory results, medication history and other personal health record data.”

Additional clinics are located in Clarks Summit, Allentown and Easton.  Careworks will also open a clinic at 1070 North 9th Street, Stroudsburg on September 10.  The CareWorks clinics are developed and operated by Geisinger Ventures, which is focused on technology and innovation. 

About Geisinger Health System
Geisinger Health System is one of the nation's leading fully integrated healthcare providers. Founded in 1915, Geisinger serves more than two million residents throughout central and northeastern Pennsylvania. The physician-led organization is at the forefront of the country's rapidly emerging electronic health records movement. Geisinger includes three major regional medical centers, a 650-member group practice, a not-for-profit health insurance company, and the Geisinger Center for Health Research—dedicated to creating innovative new models for patient care, satisfaction and clinical outcomes.

CareWorks is Geisinger-administered convenient, quality healthcare in Weis supermarkets. CareWorks offers medical treatment for common illnesses such as sore throat, flu-like symptoms, respiratory infections, coughs, colds, earaches and other common problems.

About Weis Markets
Founded in 1912, Weis Markets Inc. operates 158 stores in five states: Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and West Virginia, where it now operates two stores. Weis Markets also owns SuperPetz, a pet supply superstore chain with 31 locations in ten states.

Geisinger contact::
Trish Quinter: (570) 271-6398

Weis Markets contact:
Dennis Curtin: (610) 286-3636