Saint Thomas Health announces a clinically integrated alliance with The Little Clinic, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Kroger Co., to offer extended patient access to healthcare throughout Middle Tennessee.

The alliance between Saint Thomas Health, Kroger and The Little Clinic is designed to conveniently provide consumers with the care they need by connecting The Little Clinic's Nashville-area in-store clinics, as well as Kroger pharmacies, with the expertise of more than 500 physicians and clinicians of Saint Thomas Medical Partners. Whether patients need the convenience of The Little Clinic for common illness or primary care physicians and specialized care through Saint Thomas Medical Partners, together the organizations will make those connections easier within the community.

"This collaboration will offer yet another access point for patients to enter Saint Thomas Health's integrated system of care," said Karen Springer, Saint Thomas Health President and CEO. "Working with Kroger and The Little Clinic will help us realize our goal of offering convenient, personalized care options close to the homes of those we serve."

The alliance is effective October 31, with full implementation in all sites of care planned for early 2018. In the coming months, the Saint Thomas Medical Partners logo will be added to Kroger and The Little Clinic locations across Middle Tennessee recognizing the relationship. Saint Thomas Health is part of Ascension, the nation's largest Catholic and nonprofit health system.