FORT WORTH, Texas— The University of North Texas Health Science Center has announced that its Godley Family Practice Clinic will close August 31.

Patients can continue to receive care at the six other UNT Health Science Center clinics, all located in Tarrant County, or change their primary care physician.

"We’ve developed close ties to the Godley community over the past 20 years and regret that we can no longer maintain a teaching facility here," said Samuel T. Coleridge, D.O., professor and chair of family medicine at the health science center. "We have tried to keep this clinic open for as long as possible, but it’s proven to be an uphill battle."

The health science center is exploring options with local physicians and health care facilities for another organization to operate the clinic and thus maintain local medical service for the community, said Dr. Coleridge.

The clinic, located at 101 S. Main Street, cared for nearly 3,000 patients last year. It is the primary indigent health care provider for Johnson County residents. The Johnson County Indigent Health Program reimburses the clinic for caring for patients who meet specific criteria, including lack of health care coverage.

The UNT Health Science Center opened the clinic in 1980 as part of its training program for its medical students. With Johnson County’s designation as a Health Professional Shortage Area, the clinic became a Federally Designated Rural Health Clinic in 1994.

The clinic has a staff of three employees consisting of a clinic supervisor, a physician assistant, and a licensed vocational nurse. Robbye Richards, D.O., assistant professor of family medicine, serves as the medical director.

The clinic is one of seven family medicine clinics operated by the UNT Health Science Center.

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