The public is invited to attend a ribbon cutting and open house at the new Illini Express Clinic on Thursday, January 25. The ribbon cutting will be at 3 pm followed by an open house at the Express Clinic until 5 pm at its new location, 640 West Washington, Pittsfield, on the hospital campus.

Formerly located in leased space on the square in Pittsfield, the new Illini Express Clinic is designed specifically for healthcare delivery. It features one drive-through bay that allows people seeking selected screenings or care for non-life-threatening conditions to be able to remain in their vehicles and be treated by a provider. The clinic also houses a traditional examination room. Another benefit of the relocation of the Illini Express Clinic to the hospital campus is that it allows hospital-based staff to more quickly and efficiently respond to the clinic during times of high demand for care to assist clinic caregivers. 

“Since opening December 15, the Illini Express Clinic has posted exceptional outcomes, including reducing the average time of a visit by 22 minutes,” said Holly Jones, RN, MSN, NEA-BC, administrator, Illini Community Hospital.

Key features of the Illini Express Clinic include:

  • No appointment is needed.
  • Trained healthcare professionals provide a range of essential medical services, including diagnostics, vaccinations, and basic consultations, all from the convenience of the patient's car.
  • Streamlined check-in and electronic medical record systems ensure efficient and personalized care.
  • Hours of operation are Monday-Saturday, 7 am to 7 pm; holidays 7-11 am, and closed Sundays.

“The new Illini Express Clinic promotes wellness,” Jones concluded. “It aligns with our mission to break barriers to healthcare access, ensuring that individuals receive timely and efficient medical attention when they need it most.”

Funding for the Illini Express Clinic project came from an $891,500 United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development grant with the remaining $730,000 invested by Blessing Health.