What You Should Know:
– WakeMed Health & Hospitals has partnered with hybrid healthcare startup Rezilient Health to launch four “CloudClinics” in the Raleigh-Durham area starting January 2026.
– The new model allows employees to access same-day primary and specialty care via a unique blend of remote physicians beamed into clinics staffed by on-site medics and diagnostic tools.
– Initially available to WakeMed’s 12,000 employees, the service aims to reduce healthcare costs and absenteeism by offering unlimited access without copays or deductibles.
The “CloudClinic” Concept: Beaming Doctors to the Bedside
At the heart of this partnership is Rezilient’s proprietary CloudClinic model. Unlike standard telemedicine where a patient video chats from home, a CloudClinic is a physical location equipped with high-tech diagnostic tools and staffed by in-person nurses and medics.
- How It Works: A remote physician is “beamed” into the exam room on a large screen. They control digital otoscopes, stethoscopes, and high-definition cameras remotely, allowing them to perform a comprehensive physical exam as if they were in the room.
- The In-Person Advantage: An on-site medic assists with the physical aspects of care—labs, vitals, and procedures—bridging the gap between virtual convenience and clinical rigor.
“We are delivering a unique solution that meets the unique needs of employers at this time, expands access to care, and augments our existing care teams,” said Dr. Seth Brody, WakeMed’s executive vice president and chief physician executive.
Solving the Employer Cost Crisis
For employers, the appeal is financial. The partnership is structured as a direct-to-employer benefit that removes the friction of traditional insurance.
- Zero Barriers: The model offers employees unlimited access to primary care, urgent care, and care management with no copays, coinsurance, or deductibles.
- The ROI Strategy: By making primary care free and instantly accessible (same-day appointments), the model aims to catch health issues early. This prevents the “downstream” costs of chronic disease mismanagement and ER visits that typically drive up self-funded plan premiums.
WakeMed is putting its money where its mouth is: the system will first roll this benefit out to its own 12,000+ employees and dependents before offering it to other corporate clients in the region later in 2026.
Why a Health System Would “Disrupt” Itself
It is rare for a traditional health system to embrace a model that could be seen as competitive to its own brick-and-mortar practices. However, WakeMed views this as an evolution, not a replacement.
The CloudClinics will be fully integrated with WakeMed’s electronic health record (EHR) system. This ensures that if a patient needs complex care—surgery, oncology, or advanced imaging—they are seamlessly referred into WakeMed’s network of over 175 physician practices and hospitals.
“We need to partner with innovative health systems like WakeMed to offer a comprehensive solution for employers that is seamless,” said Dr. Danish Nagda, Founder and CEO of Rezilient Health. “Together, Rezilient and WakeMed will help employers get better access to high quality care while reducing their rising healthcare costs.”
