UGA's new school of medicine to address statewide healthcare shortage

The University of Georgia is establishing a new School of Medicine to meet the healthcare needs of its growing population. This development is timely as Georgia, with a population of 11 million, is experiencing a shortage of healthcare professionals. The state is ranked 40th in the U.S. for the number of active patient care physicians per capita. This shortage is worsened by an aging physician workforce and a higher demand for medical services, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

Earlier this year, Governor Brian Kemp announced a plan to allocate $50 million in state funds to establish this independent medical school. The funding was supported by the chancellor and the University System of Georgia Board of Regents. The Georgia General Assembly approved the budget in March, allowing the university to match this with private funds to build a $100 million facility.

The new School of Medicine in Athens is a significant addition to the University of Georgia. It extends a decade-long partnership with the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, which has helped train hundreds of doctors. The new school aims to alleviate the shortage of medical professionals and will use UGA’s extensive public service network to improve healthcare across the state’s 159 counties.

The creation of the School of Medicine is expected to enhance UGA’s research capabilities significantly. In the past decade, the university's research expenditures increased by 63%, reaching $570.9 million in FY2023. The new medical school is expected to attract top-tier researchers and secure more federal funding, potentially leading to major advancements in medical science.

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