SSM to close some clinics, pharmacies in Mid-Missouri

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

SSM Health will close several clinics and pharmacies in Mid-Missouri in what it calls "an effort to ensure the viability of our medical ministry in Mid-Missouri."

The not-for-profit Catholic health system said in a statement it will close Fulton Family Medicine and walk-in clinic on April 30, Vandalia Family Medicine Clinic on May 29, Jefferson City Occupational Medicine Clinic on Aug. 28 and Versailles Family Medicine Clinic in mid-September.

The company also plans to close its Tipton pharmacy on April 30 and its Holts Summit pharmacy at the end of May.

"These closings are unfortunate but necessary to improve operational efficiency and protect the overall health of our organization so that we may continue to provide exceptional service to our communities," SSM said in the statement.

Patients will be offered care at other SSM locations and staff will help patients transfer their care elsewhere if necessary, the statement says. The organization says it is also trying to find jobs for affected employees within SSM.

SSM owns hospitals in Jefferson City and Mexico in addition to its other medical service locations.

An SSM spokeswoman for the Mid-Missouri region said the organization was facing challenges before the COVID-19 pandemic. The current environment has increased the need for SSM to adjust, the spokeswoman wrote in an email.