Richmond, Va.– In response to Virginia’s growing primary care shortage, Vera Whole Health has opened a new advanced primary care center in Richmond, in partnership with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. The clinic, located at 3810 W. Broad Street, aims to improve access to comprehensive care for Anthem’s commercial plan members.
The launch comes as a recent study by the Cicero Institute ranked Virginia in the lower half of U.S. states for physician availability, with a projected shortfall of nearly 4,000 doctors by 2030. The new clinic is part of a broader effort by Anthem to address that gap through personalized, whole-person care.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 4 was attended by local officials including Delegate Betsy Carr and Senator Lamont Bagby, along with Anthem and Vera executives. Monica Schmude, President of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Virginia, emphasized the urgency of improving appointment access. “Our members cite challenges in obtaining timely primary care, and we’re stepping in to help solve that problem,” she said. “We want every member to have a strong relationship with a primary care provider.”
The Vera model integrates primary care with behavioral health, coaching, and care navigation. Patients are supported by dedicated care teams and have access to same- or next-day appointments, both in-person and virtually. The center also leverages technology to provide proactive alerts, follow-up care recommendations, and targeted outreach to patients most in need.
Jim Cullinan, Vice President of Anthem Partnership at Vera Whole Health, highlighted the clinic’s patient-first mission. “Care should be built around trust and collaboration,” he said. “This new center is designed to engage patients as active partners in their health journey while delivering high-value care.”
By aligning with Anthem’s benefits ecosystem, Vera Whole Health aims to improve health outcomes and reduce overall costs, while addressing a critical access issue facing thousands of Virginians.
