Hospitals Address Physician Shortage in Southwest Georgia

News Release
Phoebe Marketing

The critical need for primary care physicians in Southwest Georgia led five area hospitals to join a consortium to expand medical education and residency programs in the region. Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital founded the South Georgia Medical Education and Research Consortium, along with hospitals in Moultrie, Thomasville, Valdosta and Tifton, SOWEGA-AHEC, Community Health Centers, and Georgia’s Health Sciences University Medical College of Georgia.

The official opening ceremony for the Consortium’s new offices is Friday, July 27, at 11 a.m., in Moultrie.

Georgia ranks 41st in physicians per 100,000 population and residency programs, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges.Existing residency programs in the stateare mainly in the Atlanta area. Currently Southwest Georgia has 15 residents, all in the field of family medicine.

The history of the Consortium began in 2010, when hospital CEOs met with officials from the Medical College of Georgia.Together they creates a fiscally responsible planto combine community and hospital resources, expertise and administration to improve access to healthcare through the development and expansion of graduate medical educations programs. This effort is critical to physician development, as 60% of residents stay and practice in the area where they complete their residency program.

In a letter congratulating the Consortium on its official opening and commending the hospitals for their involvement, Governor Deal said, “The South Georgia Medical Education and Research Consortium will serve as an important resource for medical professionals by advancing the field of medicine for South Georgia residents.”

Theaffiliated hospitals have contributed over $1 million for the creation and expansion of medical residency programs in Georgia. The Medical College of Georgia/Georgia Health Sciences University matched the initial capital call of $500,000. Support from the Georgia Legislature allowed additional funding to be provided through the Georgia Physician Workforce Board, totaling $716,000. These funds will be used for the implementation of up to six new residency programs in SouthGeorgia: internal medicine, general surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, emergency medicine and family medicine. The Consortium begins the accreditation process this Fall and hopes to add up to 150 new residents in this area, according to Jessica S. Rivenbark, consortium executive director.

For additional information and contacts, please visit the website: www.sgmerc.net or call 229-985-3003. 

Office Address 

South Georgia Medical Education and Research Consortium
at 1 Sweet Bay Court, Suite C,
Moultrie, GA 31768