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See Correction/Clarification at the end of this article.
UGA is expanding with a new school that could address a shortage of health care workers in the state.
The University System of Georgia Board of Regents on Feb. 13 authorized the University of Georgia to start an independent medical school in Athens.
“The School of Medicine will significantly expand the pool of medical professionals in Georgia, attract more top-tier scientists and researchers to the state, and produce more physicians to serve underserved and rural Georgia communities,” said UGA President Jere W. Morehead in a prepared statement.
Georgia has struggled to find trained health care professionals since the onset of the pandemic. It is not alone. A study from the National Library of Medicine found that “health care workforce shortage is a worldwide problem.”
The school will be funded in part by the state government. Last month, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp recommended spending $50 million on the project, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. Earlier this month, the Georgia House of Representatives included the medical school in its midyear budget.
It will also receive “strong” private support, according to a news release. In 2023, UGA raised more than $240 million in gifts and pledges for the school.
The school could start enrolling students as early fall 2026.
Enrollment
| Rank | Prior Rank | Institution |
|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | Georgia State University |
2 | 2 | Georgia Institute of Technology |
3 | 3 | Kennesaw State University |
Correction/Clarification
A previous version of this story contained an error in the headline.
