For the past 15 years, I’ve had the privilege of living in Georgia and working with the Augusta University/University of Georgia Medical Partnership as we have taught and trained doctors on the University of Georgia’s Health Sciences Campus. Georgia needs more physicians because our state’s population is rapidly expanding, fueled by strong employment and educational opportunities. Such growth puts pressure on our health care system, and with Georgia ranking 39th in the nation in the number of physicians per capita, it’s clear we need a solution, especially for our rural and underserved communities.
In Fall 2026, the University of Georgia will welcome the first class of medical students to our independent medical school. I am proud to serve as the founding dean. This exciting news means two things:
- First, we will be able to train thousands of new doctors who will help fill the gaps in care and provide the high-quality treatment the people of Georgia deserve.
- Second, there is sure to be a substantial increase in medical innovations, breakthroughs, and cures coming out of Athens.
Previously, UGA was already receiving the most research funding from the National Institutes of Health among all public universities without a medical school. That’s because we have a long track record of conducting critical research that leads to successful outcomes against deadly diseases. Adding a dedicated School of Medicine has brought new researchers, doctors, and scientists to campus who will amplify our efforts to address health care issues here in Georgia and around the world.
It is an absolute honor to lead UGA’s new medical school, and we are thrilled that LCME has granted us preliminary accreditation to begin recruiting our first class. My colleagues and I share a vision for the future of medicine and a passion for preparing the world-class physicians who will practice it.
