PCOM South Georgia was founded in 2019 to help grow medical education in Southwest
Georgia and meet the long-term health care needs of the region.
According to Georgia Board for Physician Workforce statistics, the Southwest Georgia
region has a critical need for physicians. The vision is for PCOM South Georgia to
become a regional health professions education center. Studies show that physicians
educated and trained in a region are likely to remain in the area to practice medicine.
“Without the support of our local communities and regional partners, our expansion
into South Georgia would've been difficult, maybe even impossible, but because of
our shared vision for the Southwest Georgia region, we're able to truly address the
need for healthcare professionals in rural areas.”
Representatives from South Georgia Medical Education and Research Consortium, a partnership
of five independent healthcare systems in South Georgia, and PCOM signed a memorandum of agreement on October 31, 2016, to develop a feasibility plan to establish an additional location
in South Georgia.
The College selected Moultrie, Georgia for its new campus based on its central access
to the region's health and education centers, ample clerkship opportunities for medical
students, affordable housing and convenience to services and facilities.
Initial Approval
On December 5, 2017, PCOM received initial approval from its accrediting agency—the American Osteopathic Association’s (AOA) Commission
on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA)—to move forward with the development of
PCOM South Georgia.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the building was held on August 6, 2019. PCOM South Georgia
welcomed its inaugural class of doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) students on August
12.
PCOM South Georgia’s inaugural leadership team consisted of four members. H. William Craver III, DO, FACOS, assumed the position
of vice provost with academic responsibility for PCOM Georgia and PCOM South Georgia.
Michael J. Sampson, DO, FAOASM, was appointed senior associate dean and chief academic
officer for PCOM South Georgia. Joanne Jones, MBA assumed the role of campus officer. Marla D. Golden, DO, FACEP, was named chair of clinical education.
PCOM South Georgia added a two-year Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences program in the fall of 2020. Students in the program complete a foundational year before
choosing a second year track. The initial track options offered at PCOM South Georgia
included medical simulation, research and general studies. An accelerated master's
program option (MS in Biomedical Sciences - Preclinical Studies) was added in 2021.
A memorandum of agreement was signed in October 2016.
Groundbreaking in Moultrie, GA took place in April 2018.
Construction began in May 2018.
Concrete is poured in September 2018.
Support beams are erected in November 2018.
Construction continues in January 2019.
Construction continues in March 2019.
Construction is completed in July 2019.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in August 2019.