Good News Clinics Breaks Ground on Family Medical Facility Made Possible by Donation and Matching Grant from Wayne-Sanderson Farms

Groundbreaking has begun on an expansion of Good News Clinics as part of the local nonprofit’s growing effort to provide free, full-service health care to less fortunate, underinsured and uninsured Hall County residents. Wayne-Sanderson Farms recently made a $10,000 donation, matched by a family foundation, to help the clinic upgrade and expand facilities to increase services in Hall County.

The clinic’s “Greater Things” capital campaign saw nearly $8 million raised from area businesses like Wayne-Sanderson Farms, the Georgia Poultry Federation and other organizations. “Being part of a strong community means everyone taking some responsibility to help less fortunate residents get access to health care, regardless of income or employment status,” said Clint Rivers, president and CEO of Wayne-Sanderson Farms. “As a company and as a neighbor, we believe it’s our duty to help, and we’re proud to be a part of this effort.”

Good News Clinics provide primary and specialty medical, dental and behavioral health care for patients that would otherwise source health care from area emergency rooms or receive no care at all. “As the county’s population has grown over the last three decades since we first opened our doors in 1992, we have simply outgrown our facilities as we continue to see significant increases in patient numbers,” said Liz Coates, executive director of Good News Clinics. “Thanks to the generosity of community leaders like Wayne-Sanderson Farms, we’ll be able to grow alongside our patients and better meet their needs. With an additional 2,000 patients added each year, this 60 percent expansion in the facility’s capacity could not have come at a better time for our clinic.”

As part of the expansion, the clinic is renovating an 8,400-square-foot facility directly behind Good News Clinics to serve as the Northeast Georgia Health System Education Center, significantly expanding the clinic’s mental and behavioral health capabilities. Good News Clinics is also renovating its 11,000-square-foot office on Pine Street to add ophthalmology services with six new exam rooms, clinical workstations and additional space for ancillary services. During the expansion, the clinic’s welcome center will also be renovated and renamed the Anne Warren Thomas Welcome Center, where patients will benefit from more efficient reception and have access to free medical supplies, shelf-stable foods and hygiene items.

As a faith-based clinic funded by donations and grants, Good News Clinics’ operation is supported by more than 150 organizations across the community. While providing routine treatment is the everyday mission of the clinic, the facility also focuses on patient education and early intervention to prevent chronic illness and decrease dependence on local emergency rooms and hospitals with a cost avoidance of more than $4.5 million. To learn more about Good News Clinics, visit Good News Clinics’ website.

About Wayne-Sanderson Farms

Wayne-Sanderson Farms is an industry leader and the nation’s third-largest poultry producer, serving customers, consumers and communities with integrity, leadership and responsible farm, workplace and business practices. With a diverse portfolio of products, a strong operating culture and an industry-leading workforce of more than 26,000 people, Wayne-Sanderson Farms owns and operates 23 fresh and further-processing facilities across Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and Texas. Wayne-Sanderson Farms produces affordable, high-quality poultry products for retail, foodservice, restaurant, industrial and institutional segments under the brand names of WAYNE FARMS® fresh and prepared chicken; SANDERSON FARMS® fresh chicken; COVINGTON FARMS® fresh and frozen chicken; PLATINUM HARVEST® premium fresh chicken; CHEF’S CRAFT® gourmet chicken; and NAKED TRUTH® premium chicken. For more information, visit our website at http://www.waynesandersonfarms.com