Georgia Clinic Faces Healthcare Crisis After Loss of Imaging Services

The Healing Bridge Clinic, a vital nonprofit healthcare provider serving uninsured residents of Fayette and surrounding counties in Georgia, is grappling with a critical healthcare crisis. The clinic’s primary imaging services provider abruptly terminated its partnership, leaving hundreds of patients without access to essential diagnostic tools like X-rays and scans.

A Critical Gap in Care

For 15 years, the clinic relied on a consistent imaging partner. The sudden loss of these services significantly impacts the clinic’s ability to provide comprehensive care to a vulnerable population. The Healing Bridge Clinic provides free primary care to individuals at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, a group encompassing over 1.2 million uninsured Georgians .

“In medicine, diagnostics aren’t a luxury; they are the map we use to save lives,” stated Dr. Christa Springston, medical director of the Healing Bridge Clinic . The loss of imaging capabilities hinders the identification of conditions ranging from bone fractures to internal masses.

Impact on Patient Care

The absence of imaging services affects multiple specialties within the clinic, including podiatry, cardiology, neurology, and women’s health . For example, the clinic’s podiatrist requires X-rays for every patient . Without these diagnostics, treatment options are severely limited.

The Healing Bridge Clinic opened its doors in 2009 and currently supports approximately 1,800 patient visits annually, with patients traveling from across metro Atlanta . The clinic operates with a team of 21 volunteer providers and five staff members.

Urgent Call for Partnership

The Healing Bridge Clinic is actively seeking a new imaging partner to restore these vital services. Mike Conaway, Executive Director of the clinic, emphasized the need for a community-focused partner, stating, “We are not just looking for a vendor; we are looking for a community hero” . The clinic recognizes that its patients often lack alternative options for accessing these essential diagnostics.

Local imaging centers, hospital systems, and private diagnostic companies are encouraged to contact the Healing Bridge Clinic at director@healingbridgeclinic.org to explore potential partnerships.