Grady Health System is expanding their footprint in DeKalb County with the inauguration of a new outpatient center on Flat Shoals Parkway, broadening the provision of healthcare services in an area recently identified as a medical desert. This marks the first of two such facilities planned to open in the county this month. The center arrives with a wide spectrum of services, ranging from primary care and behavioral health to specialized fields such as nephrology and orthopedics. Alongside these, on-site imaging and laboratory services promise quicker test results and more efficient care navigating for local residents.
The initiative is a concerted effort to address the lack of accessible healthcare which became pronounced following the closure of Atlanta Medical Center in 2022. "We've worked over the last few years recognizing that having care closer to home is better for the community," Grady Chief Administrative Officer Shannon Sale told FOX 5. In a statement obtained by WSB-TV, DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson expressed the significance of this development for local communities, remarking, "People look to government for what they cannot do for themselves... and today we’re stepping up."
The response from DeKalb County residents has been overwhelmingly positive, with appointments at the new clinic completely booked for the opening week. Local resident Cathie Davenport conveyed the community's relief to FOX 5, saying, "It's a blessing because we are really Grady patients. And we have to driveway to Brookhaven. So, it is a blessing to have a facility in our area." This sentiment echoes the broader community's anticipation of shorter trips for medical care and an increase in healthcare equity.
Grady’s Chief Operating Officer, Anthony Saul, highlighted the collaboration between the health system and local authorities in making these centers possible. A pharmacy and imaging labs will be included in the facility to provide comprehensive care to the community. "For Grady, having the ability to work with the commissioners to bring healthcare closer to our neighborhoods... it’s a tremendous win for everyone," Saul noted in a WSB-TV interview. The development also signifies Grady's ninth community health center, with a the 10th anticipated to open on Candler Road in the coming weeks.
