Hy-Vee Launches Exemplar Care Clinic in Ames

New health clinic aims to provide more accessible and predictable healthcare services.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 3:34pm

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A minimalist design in the style of Keith Haring where a stethoscope is defined entirely by vibrant neon lines against a dark background, emphasizing the shape and energy of a new community healthcare service.A new healthcare clinic from a local grocery chain aims to make basic medical services more convenient and affordable for the Ames community.Ames Today

The Ames, Iowa location of the Hy-Vee grocery chain is opening a new healthcare clinic called Exemplar Care. The clinic will be located in the former Joann Fabric and Craft store in the Lincoln Center shopping area, providing residents with a new option for primary care services.

Why it matters

This move by Hy-Vee represents the growing trend of grocery stores and retail chains expanding into the healthcare space to offer more convenient and affordable options for consumers. As the cost of healthcare continues to rise, these types of hybrid retail-healthcare models aim to make accessing basic medical services simpler and more predictable.

The details

Exemplar Care will be Hy-Vee's first foray into operating its own healthcare clinic. The new facility will offer primary care services, lab testing, and other basic medical treatments to Ames residents. Hy-Vee is positioning Exemplar Care as a way to "make healthcare simpler, more accessible and more predictable" for its customers.

  • Exemplar Care is slated to open in the coming weeks at the 632 Lincoln Way location in Ames.
  • The new clinic will occupy the former space of a Joann Fabric and Craft store in the Lincoln Center shopping area.

The players

Hy-Vee

A Midwest-based grocery store chain that is expanding into the healthcare industry with the launch of its Exemplar Care clinic in Ames, Iowa.

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What’s next

Hy-Vee plans to monitor the performance and reception of the Exemplar Care clinic in Ames as it considers opening additional healthcare facilities in other markets where it operates grocery stores.

The takeaway

Hy-Vee's move into the healthcare space reflects the growing trend of retailers seeking to provide more comprehensive services to consumers, blending traditional retail with accessible medical care. As the cost of healthcare remains a concern, these types of hybrid models may become more common as companies aim to make basic healthcare more convenient and affordable.