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Carpenters union opens $6.5M health clinic for members in St. Louis

The St. Louis – Kansas City Carpenters Regional Council has unveiled a new health and wellness center for its members and their families in the St. Louis area. It plans to break ground on a second location in Kansas City sometime this fall, as well. 

The Carpenters Wellness Center will offer free services to members, including urgent and primary care, chiropractic and physical therapy, certain lab services, x-rays, and behavioral health services. Additionally, the center has a vision center, full-service pharmacy, and wellness and health coaching services. 

“We’re now able to provide Carpenters and their families a one-stop shop for the majority of their medical and preventative care needs without the cost burdens associated with traditional medical care,” Al Bond, the Carpenters’ executive secretary-treasurer, said in a statement. “By providing affordable and convenient care, we hope to improve the overall health of our membership while removing two key barriers, access and cost.” 

The St. Louis – Kansas City Carpenters Regional Council opened the Carpenters Wellness Center in St. Louis for its members and their family at the end of August (PROVIDED).

The Carpenters employed Kansas City-based Cerner Corporation to manage and operate the 10,000 square-foot facility which opened at the end of August. It already operates a variety of health centers nationwide, including some for other unions. 

“Cerner is on the cutting edge of their industry, and we felt confident they’d be able to deliver the care and service we expect for our members,” Stephanie Fleming, a spokesperson for St. Louis – Kansas City Carpenters Regional Council, told The Missouri Times. “They will manage the facility and have already hired an excellent staff of providers.” 

Fleming said the center would be able to refer patients outside of the facility if needed. 

The union billed the center as a way it can recruit more individuals into the field of skilled labor as it works to “minimize wait times while maximizing time spent with the care team to provide a better member experience and improve health.” 

Construction of the center cost about $6.5 million and was paid for by the Carpenters. A second facility has been planned for the Kansas City area. 

The St. Louis – Kansas City Carpenters Regional Council represents more than 20,000 individuals in 33 locals throughout Missouri, Kansas, and parts of Illinois.