Southside Medical Center in Atlanta: What It Is, Where It Is, and How It Serves the Community

If you live in Atlanta, especially on the south or east side, you may have heard of Southside Medical Center. It’s a long-established community health center that many local residents use as a primary care “home,” especially for routine and preventive care.

This guide walks through what Southside Medical Center is, where it’s located, the types of services it typically offers, how it fits into the Atlanta health care landscape, and practical tips for getting care there.

What Is Southside Medical Center in Atlanta?

Southside Medical Center is a community-based health center that focuses on making primary and preventive health care more accessible to people who live in and around Atlanta, particularly in neighborhoods on the south side and east side of the city.

It generally aims to:

• Provide primary care for adults and children
• Offer OB/GYN and women’s health services
• Support dental and behavioral health needs in a coordinated way
• Serve people with and without health insurance, often using income-based or sliding-fee options

For many Atlanta residents, Southside functions as a one-stop health center where multiple services are available on the same campus or through a network of satellite clinics.

Main Location and Contact Information

Southside Medical Center operates multiple sites in the Atlanta area. The main campus is:

Southside Medical Center – Main Center
1046 Ridge Avenue SW
Atlanta, GA 30315
Phone: (404) 624-7777

This location is just south of downtown, not far from the Lakewood and South Atlanta neighborhoods. It’s relatively accessible from interstates I‑75/85 and I‑20, which is helpful if you’re coming from other parts of the city.

Other satellite locations, such as clinics in East Point, Riverdale, or other nearby communities, may be part of the broader Southside network. Those sites can offer more convenient options if you live outside central Atlanta.

👉 Tip: Because clinic hours and services can change, it’s a good idea to call ahead to confirm hours and whether a specific service is offered at the location you plan to visit.

Key Services You Can Typically Find at Southside Medical Center

While exact services may vary by site, Southside Medical Center in Atlanta usually focuses on primary and community-based care, including:

Primary Care for Adults

Many Atlanta residents use Southside as their regular doctor’s office for:

• Annual physicals and general checkups
• Ongoing management of chronic conditions (for example, high blood pressure or diabetes management)
• Referrals to specialists in the Atlanta area, when needed
• Vaccines and routine screenings

Care is usually provided by physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants who work in a team-based model.

Pediatric and Family Care

Families in south and east Atlanta may bring their children to Southside for:

• Well-child visits and school physicals
• Childhood vaccines
• Basic sick visits (such as minor infections or non-emergency illnesses)

This can be especially helpful if you want to keep care for parents and children within the same health system.

Women’s Health and OB/GYN Services

Southside Medical Center often includes women’s health and OB/GYN services, such as:

• Routine well-woman exams
• Pap tests and breast health screenings
• Contraceptive counseling
• Prenatal and postpartum care

For expectant mothers in Atlanta who may not already be connected with a private OB practice, this kind of access can be important, especially when combined with support services, such as referrals to local hospitals for delivery and higher-level care.

Dental Services

Some Southside sites include dental clinics that may offer:

• Exams and cleanings
• Fillings and basic restorative work
• X‑rays and preventive care

Because dental care can be harder to access in parts of Atlanta, especially without private insurance, dental services at a community health center can be a key resource.

Behavioral Health and Supportive Services

Many community health centers, including centers like Southside, increasingly integrate:

• Behavioral health counseling or mental health screenings
• Substance use counseling or referrals
• Case management and social services connections

Residents in Atlanta often appreciate having behavioral health support in the same setting as primary care, which can make it easier to seek help.

How Southside Medical Center Fits Into Atlanta’s Health Care System

Atlanta’s health care landscape includes a mix of:

• Large hospital systems (such as Grady Memorial Hospital and major private hospitals)
• Private specialty practices and group practices
• Urgent care centers and retail clinics
• Federally qualified or community health centers, such as Southside Medical Center

Southside tends to fill a community and access-focused role, often serving:

• People without a regular doctor
• Individuals and families with Medicaid, Medicare, or marketplace plans
• People who are uninsured or underinsured and need sliding-fee services
• Neighborhoods with fewer private practices or specialty clinics

This makes Southside particularly relevant for residents of:

• South Atlanta, Lakewood, Joyland, Mechanicsville, and surrounding areas
• South Fulton and parts of Clayton County who prefer to receive care closer to the city
• People who work or commute near downtown and want an in-town community clinic

Transportation and Getting There from Around Atlanta

Because Atlanta traffic can be unpredictable, planning your trip to Southside Medical Center helps reduce stress.

By Car

If you’re driving:

• From Downtown Atlanta: The main center is generally a short drive south along Metropolitan Parkway or via local streets from I‑75/85.
• From East Atlanta / Kirkwood / Edgewood: You may take I‑20 west and then head south, or use local roads depending on traffic.
• From South Fulton or College Park: It’s often easiest to come north on I‑85 or Metropolitan Parkway.

Parking options vary by site; the main campus typically has on-site parking, but availability can fluctuate during busy clinic times.

By MARTA

If you rely on public transit, you may be able to combine MARTA rail and bus:

• Use the Red/Gold line to reach a nearby rail station (for example, Lakewood/Fort McPherson station).
• Connect to a MARTA bus route that runs toward the area around Ridge Avenue SW or Metropolitan Parkway SW.

Because bus routes and schedules can change, check current MARTA trip planners or route maps before you go.

What to Expect as a New Patient

If you are planning your first visit to Southside Medical Center in Atlanta, the experience is likely to be similar to other community clinics:

1. Scheduling an Appointment

You can typically:

• Call the main number to schedule (404) 624-7777
• Ask which location is closest to you and which offers the service you need
• Inquire whether same-day or next-day appointments are sometimes available for urgent (but non-emergency) needs

Some people also walk in, but wait times may be longer without an appointment.

2. Insurance, Sliding Fees, and Payment

For many Atlanta residents, a key question is how payment works:

• Southside generally accepts major insurance plans, including many forms of Medicaid and Medicare.
• If you are uninsured or underinsured, you may be able to apply for a sliding-fee scale, where visit costs are adjusted based on your household income and family size.
• You may be asked to bring proof of income, such as a recent pay stub or benefits letter, to qualify for reduced fees.

It is common to pay a copay or nominal fee at the time of service, depending on your coverage and fee scale.

3. What to Bring

To make check-in smoother, plan to bring:

• A photo ID
• Your insurance card, if you have one
• A list of your current medications
• Any relevant medical records or discharge summaries, especially if you recently visited an Atlanta hospital or ER
• Documents related to income if you are applying for sliding-fee assistance

Common Reasons Atlanta Residents Use Southside Medical Center

People in and around Atlanta may go to Southside for:

• Routine annual checkups to stay on top of health
• Follow-up visits after a hospitalization or ER visit at places like Grady or another hospital system
• Childhood vaccines and school or sports physicals
• Women’s health visits or prenatal care close to home
• Dental exams and cleanings when it’s difficult to access private dental offices
• Ongoing care for chronic conditions that require periodic monitoring and prescriptions

Some patients choose Southside as their long-term medical home, while others use it for specific episodes of care or when they are between other providers.

Simple Snapshot: Southside Medical Center, Atlanta

When Southside Medical Center Might Be a Good Fit for You

You might consider Southside Medical Center in Atlanta if you:

• Live on the south side, east side, or near downtown and want a local clinic
• Need primary care, women’s health, pediatric care, or basic dental services in one network
• Are uninsured, on Medicaid/Medicare, or changing insurance plans and need a more flexible option
• Prefer a community health center environment that can help connect you to additional resources and referrals in the Atlanta area

For emergencies such as severe chest pain, serious injuries, or life-threatening symptoms, Atlanta residents are typically advised to use 911 or the nearest emergency department instead of a clinic.

Practical Next Steps if You’re in Atlanta

If you think Southside Medical Center might meet your needs:

1. Call the main line: (404) 624-7777
2. Ask:
   • Which location is most convenient based on your address
   • Whether the service you need (for example, dental, OB/GYN, pediatric) is offered at that site
   • Which insurance plans are accepted, and how to apply for sliding-fee if needed
3. Plan your travel route via car or MARTA, and arrive a little early if it’s your first visit.

Taking these steps can help you decide how Southside Medical Center fits into your options for health care in Atlanta, Georgia, and ensure your visit is as smooth and efficient as possible.