Bentonville: Mercy launches primary care clinic inside medical school
The 6,534-square-foot facility will open Nov. 23, marking the first time the health system has placed a clinic directly within a medical school campus.
By Naomi Tesfaye ·
Mercy Health System will open a 6,534-square-foot primary care clinic at the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine on Nov. 23. Steve Mackin, Mercy president and CEO, confirmed the facility will be the first of its kind for the St. Louis-based health system. The clinic is located at 1001 N.E. J St. in Bentonville.
Alice Walton, founder of the medical school, joined Mercy and school leaders for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Nov. 2. A spokeswoman stated that Mercy is leasing the space, though no specific investment amount was disclosed. Dr. Sharmila Makhija, founding dean and CEO of the medical school, said having patient care and education under one roof creates a meaningful connection between teaching and practice. She noted the arrangement helps ensure medical education improves community health.
Mackin described the opening as a special day in the organization's 200-year history. He called it perhaps the only primary care clinic adjacent to a world-class art museum. The 134-acre Crystal Bridges Campus includes the museum, the medical school, and the Heartland Whole Health Institute. Mackin credited Alice Walton, the only daughter of Walmart founders Sam and Helen Walton, with the vision behind the project. He described the collaboration as a powerful partnership rooted in initiative and innovation.
The clinic will serve patients age 18 and older. Services include wellness exams, management of ongoing conditions, diagnosis and treatment of minor illnesses, labs, and immunizations. Dr. Stephanie Sargent is the clinic's first provider. The initial staff includes one nurse, one receptionist, and one practice manager. A spokeswoman said the team will expand as the practice grows. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, except Wednesday when it closes at noon. Patients can book appointments online or by phone at 479-802-5680. Reserved parking is available near the entrance.
Dr. John Mohart, Mercy's chief operating officer, said the clinic focuses on whole health principles. He noted that the facility will embed behavioral health and mental wellness services directly into the clinic. Mohart said these services are often difficult to find elsewhere. The location sits on the AWSOM Whole Health Campus, which comprises nearly 3 million square feet across more than 120 acres. The campus includes a center for advanced specialty care, an oncology center, and a hospital with more than 250 beds and 40 operating rooms.
A Sept. 24, 2024 news release detailed a 30-year, $700 million affiliation between the Alice L. Walton Foundation, Mercy, and the Heartland Whole Health Institute. The foundation committed $350 million to develop an outpatient center of excellence for specialty care, including new cardiac services and virtual care. Mercy committed $350 million to build a new cardiac care center of excellence in Rogers and to recruit additional physicians. The Cleveland Clinic is part of this collaboration, contributing cardiovascular knowledge. A foundation spokeswoman said the 2024 funding launched the development of specialty care services. She noted that the current project magnitude may require investment beyond the original $700 million commitment.
