FLINT, Mich. — When Insight opened its South Flint urgent care facility in September 2022, it filled a gap in health care access for the community. Until then, residents on the south side of Flint had few options for same-day care outside of traveling to local hospitals or waiting weeks for a primary care appointment.
“We see patients of all ages and with all kinds of injuries,” said Nabila Alzahabi, manager of Insight’s South Flint Urgent Care. “We do splinting, casting, suturing, X-rays, and then, if needed, we can refer patients directly to ortho or other departments. Our goal is to keep as much care in-house as possible so patients don’t feel bounced around.”
Unlike some traditional urgent care centers, the South Flint site also offers occupational health services, including drug screenings, physicals, workplace injury evaluations, breath and alcohol testing, and more. These services are available during the same hours as urgent care from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week, including holidays.
“We’re not just urgent care. We’re urgent care plus occupational health,” Alzahabi said. “That makes us unique because patients and businesses can access multiple services in one place, with faster turnaround times than they’d find elsewhere.”
One of the challenges, staff say, is awareness. Many residents are not aware of the facility’s existence.
“I’ve noticed when patients come in, they’ll say they never knew Insight had an urgent care in Flint,” Alzahabi said. “That’s why it’s so important to spread the word. We’re here, and we’re open to everyone.”
Alzahabi said what makes the South Flint location stand out is its integrated approach. With direct links to orthopedic specialists, pain management providers, and lab services, patients can receive follow-up care in days.
“If someone comes in with a fracture, we can do the X-ray right here, and if they need more, we connect them immediately with ortho. If someone needs lab work, we put in the order, and they just walk down the hall to have it drawn. In most cases, they’re seen within the same week.”
This fast-tracked care extends to occupational health clients as well. The facility sees roughly 50 to 70 urgent care patients each week, in addition to an estimated 300 occupational health visits.
Staff said companies from as far as three hours away and sometimes even out of state send employees to Flint for services because of the clinic’s efficiency and lower costs.
“There aren’t many hospitals or clinics offering occupational health services like we do,” Alzahabi said. “From what I’ve seen, our rates are the lowest and most wanted. That means more businesses and more community members can afford to get what they need.”
For residents, the affordability extends to services like school or sports physicals, which cost just $25 out of pocket. The clinic also provides STD testing and treatment, HIV and UTI screenings, vaginal swabs, and other lab services, with results quickly communicated by nurse practitioners.
“Patient care second to none, that’s our motto,” Alzahabi said. “We’re here for our community, and we’ll continue working to make sure every person who walks through our doors gets the care they need.”
The clinic’s philosophy is rooted in access and inclusion.
“Nobody gets turned away,” Alzahabi said. “We accept all insurance, and if a patient doesn’t have coverage, we work out payment plans. We want people to know that care is available for them regardless of their situation.”
Insight is located at 4800 S. Saginaw St. in Flint.