Free Clinics in Clayton and Fulton Counties Team Up to Meet Growing Demand

Two nonprofit clinics are collaborating to provide primary care to uninsured patients in the metro Atlanta area.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Two free clinics in the Atlanta metro area, Good Shepherd Clinic in Clayton County and Urban Clinic of Atlanta in Fulton County, have joined forces to meet the growing demand for primary care services among uninsured patients. With the closure of a nearby hospital, the clinics have seen a surge in patient visits, reaching over 3,000 per year between them. By coordinating appointment availability and sharing medical staff, the clinics are working to ensure uninsured patients can access the care they need.

Why it matters

The partnership between Good Shepherd Clinic and Urban Clinic of Atlanta highlights the critical role that free and charitable healthcare providers play in serving uninsured and underinsured populations, especially in areas where traditional healthcare options have become limited. As the cost of medical care continues to rise, these clinics provide a vital safety net for those who would otherwise struggle to afford basic primary care.

The details

Good Shepherd Clinic and Urban Clinic of Atlanta have teamed up to coordinate patient appointments and share medical staff in order to meet the growing demand for their services. With the closure of a nearby hospital, Atlanta Medical Center, many former patients have turned to the two free clinics for their primary care needs. Between the two clinics, they now see over 3,000 patient visits per year, with more on the waitlist than they can currently accommodate.

  • The Atlanta Medical Center closed down last summer, leading to an influx of new patients at the two free clinics.
  • Good Shepherd Clinic and Urban Clinic of Atlanta recently joined forces to better coordinate their services and share resources.

The players

Good Shepherd Clinic

A free clinic located in Clayton County, Georgia that provides primary care services to uninsured patients in the metro Atlanta area.

Urban Clinic of Atlanta

A free clinic located in Fulton County, Georgia that provides primary care services to uninsured patients in the metro Atlanta area.

Deborah Watkins

A patient at Good Shepherd Clinic who appreciates the free services provided, stating "This is great. When you don't have insurance, this is great. It's a lifesaver."

Rachel Barber

The Director of Development at Good Shepherd Clinic, who notes the growing demand for their services and the need to expand to meet patient needs.

Susan Whatley

A Nurse Practitioner at Good Shepherd Clinic, who highlights the clinic's long waitlist and the impact of the nearby hospital closure on patient volume.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We could be open 24 hours a day. The demand for primary care for folks who are uninsured increases year after year.”

— Rachel Barber, Director of Development, Good Shepherd Clinic (wsbtv.com)

“We have a much bigger wait list than the amount of patients we can see. There's a hospital nearby that closed down.”

— Susan Whatley, Nurse Practitioner, Good Shepherd Clinic (wsbtv.com)

“This is great. When you don't have insurance, this is great. It's a lifesaver.”

— Deborah Watkins (wsbtv.com)

What’s next

The clinics plan to continue collaborating to expand their capacity and serve more uninsured patients in the metro Atlanta area.

The takeaway

The partnership between Good Shepherd Clinic and Urban Clinic of Atlanta demonstrates the vital role that free and charitable healthcare providers play in ensuring access to primary care for uninsured and underserved populations, especially in areas where traditional healthcare options have become limited.