New Convenient Care Clinic Opens in Superior

SUPERIOR - On Monday, April 21, Essentia Health will open a new pharmacy and Convenient Care clinic in the brand-new SuperOne Food store.

"This is a very exciting project," explains Tim Cernohous, East Region director of Ambulatory Pharmacy. "When surveying our patients, many said they wanted care in their hometown. Others – those coming from Solon Springs, Trego and other communities to the south and east – said they only wanted to come into town as far as they needed to."

The pharmacy and clinic will open at 9 a.m. Monday, April 21.

This will be Essentia's first Convenient Care location in the Duluth-Superior area.

Convenient Care will treat simple illnesses and minor injuries, such as ear infections, sore throats, urinary tract infections, pink eye, rashes or allergies. Illnesses and injuries that require immediate treatment, but are not life-threatening, such as cuts, sprains, and bronchitis or the flu, can be treated at St. Mary's –Superior Clinic. St. Mary's Hospital-Superior is also available 24 hours a day.

"It's not the place to go for an emergency – if, for example, you had a fracture or a serious medical condition," says Clinic Manager Laurie Tahtinen. "We don't do X-rays or stitches."

The clinic is 1,362 square feet, with a waiting area large enough for 15 patients and a children's play area. The clinic has two treatment rooms and a laboratory.

The pharmacy is 665 square feet and features a drive-through window.

"It's our first drive-through, much like going to the bank," Cernohous says. "There's also a pharmacy counseling room and a consultation booth. The room gives us privacy and allows us to deliver medication therapy management and pharmacist-administered vaccinations."

When it comes to providing care, there will be plenty of teamwork. A physician assistant or nurse practitioner will see clinic patients.

"When the clinic is busy, pharmacy staff will be able to come over, greet and register patients within the Convenient Care space," Cernohous says. "Our goal is to meet the patients where they are and deliver good quality customer service."

St. Mary's Hospital-Superior, the Superior Clinic and its pharmacy are located on Tower Avenue, south of Superior's downtown.

The new Convenient Care clinic and pharmacy are just off busy U.S. Highway 2 on the eastern edge of town. Convenience was a key factor in Essentia's decision to locate in the new SuperOne store.

Another added convenience is the new pharmacy's later weekday hours, its weekend hours and its drive-through.

"Now, people who couldn't get to the Superior Clinic pharmacy before 5 p.m. have another option.

They can pick up their prescriptions until 7 p.m. on weeknights at the new location," Cernohous says.