WestCare Health will launch a new full-time primary care clinic in the Health and Human Sciences Building at Western Carolina University, with a targeted opening in September. 

The clinic is the result of a partnership between the hospital and the university to expand access to care while also offering hands-on learning for health sciences students.

A family nurse practitioner will begin seeing patients this fall when the clinic opens and will be joined by a physician recruited to the community specifically for the clinic at WCU. 

“Through this important partnership, we can provide exceptional health services to our community while supporting the development of a highly skilled health workforce for the future,” said Doug Keskula, dean of WCU’s College of Health and Human Sciences, adding that the clinic will also provide faculty with research opportunities.

Steve Heatherly, president and CEO of WestCare, said the collaboration is a win-win.

“WestCare is committed to serving the community through access and education so that local healthcare can be strengthened from both the patient and provider aspects,” Heatherly said. “The clinic at WCU creates an environment for the hospital to partner with the university in improving lives.”

In December 2013, WestCare opened a rehabilitation and sports medicine clinic in the building. Carolina West Sports Medicine provides care to the community and collaborates clinically with WCU rehabilitation and sports medicine faculty, staff and students.