Grady, Fulton County to build emergency department in healthcare desert [Video]

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Grady Health System and Fulton County are partnering to build a 16-bay emergency department in Union City, to address the healthcare inequities in south Fulton County.

“There’s not any emergency care now in that part of the city, so we figured that was a great place to start,” said John Haupert, CEO of Grady Health Systems.

Haupert said they hope to start construction by the end of 2024 with the facility projected to open in 2026.

A 2023 study from Morehouse School of Medicine found that the life expectancy for those living in south Fulton County was five years shorter than those living in north Fulton County.

“Healthcare access should not be relegated to your zip code,” said Vince Williams, mayor of Union City where the facility will be built.

Williams celebrated the announcement stressing its importance in Union City, what was named the …