Urban Health and Wellness (UHM) is celebrating their five year anniversary with a fundraiser, ‘Cheers to Five Years,’ Sunday, Oct. 17, at 4:00 p. m. at Halfway Crooks Biergarten in Atlanta. Proceeds from the event will support the clinic’s upcoming move to a new facility to allow expansion of program services and increase capacity.

UHW is a free, primary care clinic located in Fulton County that provides quality healthcare to uninsured and low-income Georgians at no cost. In five short years, it has grown from a volunteer program in a one room space to a nurse-managed, nonprofit clinic of six part-time staff and over 30 volunteers and interns. The clinic serves predominantly African American (83%), women (65%) -- all 18 and older. 100% of patients are 200% or below the Federal poverty level and uninsured from across Georgia, which include seven metro counties (Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry). The clinic also has the ability to refer patients out for radiology services, vision screens and specialty referrals through their community partnerships.

 In 2021, despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, UHW is on track to serve 500 unique patients through 1,000 patient visits. The clinic provides routine primary care needs, management of chronic illnesses and/or diseases, STD screening and treatment, lab services, and assistance to patients in obtaining medications. These services also include vaccines and as schools and businesses reopen, health experts predict much higher rates of reported flu cases this fall, due in part to higher levels of susceptibility and risk.

To help bridge this health resource gap, Bank of America is partnering with CVS Health to fund free flu shots with UHW. This is the second year that Bank of America and CVS Health have offered the no-cost flu vaccine program as part of the bank’s ongoing commitment to address health disparities in the communities it serves.

“The patients we serve at Urban Health and Wellness have been hit particularly hard by COVID-19, so our support in flu prevention this winter season is even more important,” said Susan Whatley, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, Executive Director. “We are so grateful to partner with Bank of America in their Flu Vaccine Voucher Program. With their support, we are able to ensure 400 of our patients are able to receive the flu vaccine, at no cost.”

The clinic has many Atlanta business partners like Bank of America that are supporting their efforts and are looking for more support at their fundraiser Oct. 17. The event, sponsored by Halfway Crooks Beer, A Tow, The Justin Landis Group, Anthem Automotive, Batchelor & Kimball, Lemon Whistle Media, Studio at Stilwell, Akins Public Strategies, Intown Atlanta Psychiatry and Round Here Renovations will include beer, live music and food. Tickets are $50 per person and can be purchased here.