Dr. Ricardo Azziz, President, Medical College of Georgia, announced the creation of a School of Medicine campus in Rome and Floyd County for third and fourth year students.

“The Northwest Georgia Clinical Campus will become part of an overall plan to increase the MCG School of Medicine’s class size from 190 to 300 students by 2020 to help meet the need for physicians in a state that ranks in the top 10 both in population and population growth, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Currently the state ranks 44th in physicians per capita.”

“‘This is a great opportunity, an important chapter in our continued commitment to medical expansion and medical workforce development for the state of Georgia,’ said Dr. Azziz.

“This program will consist of a joint effort among the physicians of Floyd Medical Center, Redmond Regional
Medical Center, and Harbin Clinic to conduct clinical courses for these students.

“‘This is an excellent decision by the Medical College of Georgia,’ said Mayor Pro-Tem Duane Reid, City of Rome. ‘Our medical community is to be commended for their eagerness to work with these students.’ The Rome campus is among the first to be added after the decision by the University System of Georgia Board of Regents to expand its healthcare education. Heritage Hall, at Georgia Highlands College, will house the professional education offices.
“‘We look forward to having these students in Rome and Floyd County. We hope they will enjoy their time here so much that they will stay and call Rome home even after they complete their education,’ said Eddie Lumsden, Floyd County Commission Chairman.

Longer-range goals include the development of a residential campus where students can live and learn in
Northwest Georgia for most of their clinically-intensive third and fourth years. MCG School of Medicine also will help hospitals establish or expand residency programs where medical school graduates can complete specialty training in areas such as family medicine or surgery. Physicians tend to practice medicine in areas where they complete their residency training, said Dr. Peter F. Buckley, Interim Dean, School of Medicine.

“‘Expanding medical education in Georgia is a high priority for the Board of Regents. The medical community in Rome and Floyd County has worked very proactively to make the establishment of this clinical campus a reality. We owe them a significant debt of gratitude.’ said Willis Potts, Chairman of the Board of Regents, University System of Georgia.

“‘Dr. Paul Ferguson, retired President and CEO, Harbin Clinic, in cooperation with the physicians and leaders at Floyd Medical Center, Redmond Regional Medical Center, Harbin Clinic, and the administrative leaders of the University System of Georgia, Medical College of Georgia, Georgia Highlands College, Blue Ridge Area Health Education Center, Georgia Northwestern Technical College and the Chamber have been very instrumental in making this program a reality in Rome and Floyd County,’ said Harry Brock, Chairman of the Board, Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce, Appraisal Associates of Rome.

“This announcement can also be credited to the work of Dr. Ferguson and the Greater Rome Chamber of
Commerce’s Future Industries Initiative and who have worked on this project for over three years. The Future Industries Initiative continues to provide innovative programs like the Spectrum of Technology Symposium III on November 16th.”