LANSING, Mich. – University of Michigan Health-Sparrow has opened a new multi-service site in a renovated downtown Lansing building, addressing a pharmacy desert created by the closure of a Rite Aid that filled nearly 100,000 prescriptions annually. The new location, at the site of the former Rite Aid on Michigan Avenue, houses a full-service pharmacy, an urgent care clinic and occupational health services.
The project revitalizes a prominent location and aims to restore essential health care access for downtown residents and workers. “The closure of this Rite Aid created a pharmacy desert near downtown Lansing, meaning some residents didn’t have a pharmacy nearby and have had to travel far and wide to meet their prescription needs,” said Margaret Dimond, regional president of University of Michigan Health (above).
UM Health-Sparrow officials say they felt a responsibility to restore this community asset. “As the region’s leading health care provider, we had to confront the pharmacy desert and rectify the situation,” Dimond said. A key highlight of the new site is the pharmacy, designed with patient access in mind. It will offer extended weekday hours, weekend hours and a new drive-through service, providing a convenient prescription pickup option in the downtown area.
“We recognize that access to medications can make all the difference in a patient’s recovery and well-being,” said Todd Belding, regional associate chief pharmacy officer at U-M Health. “This facility is more than just an expansion of services. It reflects our mission.” The renovation converted the existing space to accommodate the three distinct services under one roof.
UM Health-Sparrow’s occupational health services have been upgraded with modernized space and new technology.
“It was no small task to convert this into a space that can accommodate a new pharmacy and be home for our Michigan Avenue Urgent Care and our occupational health services,” said Connie O’Malley, regional chief operating officer of U-M Health.
“We’re proud to say that all of those services opened here this week and we are now serving the community from this prominent Lansing location that risked becoming an eyesore.”
The opening is part of UM Health-Sparrow’s ongoing commitment to the Lansing community to provide access to care and protect the health of the community.
To learn more about UM Health-Sparrow pharmacies, go to UofMHealthSparrow.org/our-hospitals-services/services/pharmacies.
