The Fiscal Year 2022 Appropriations Act approved today by the Georgia House
of Representatives includes $180,000 to support Southeast Georgia Health
System with the initial planning work to establish a Graduate Medical
Education (GME) program for resident physicians.
“Rural hospitals in Georgia are experiencing major doctor shortages,
especially primary care physicians,” stated
Michael D. Scherneck, president and chief executive officer for Southeast Georgia Health System.
“Our Health System has been actively recruiting physicians for more
than fifteen years and we believe a residency program is a natural next
step to begin to ‘grow our own’ physicians for the community,
furthering our ongoing recruitment efforts.”
According to the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce, more than 22%
of Georgia’s family medicine and internal medicine physicians are
nearing retirement age. Of more concern, rural communities often face
significantly higher shortages of physicians than urban areas.
The legislative delegation representing Glynn and Camden counties spearheaded
advocacy for the funding which was added in the House budget. “We
know family medicine and internal medicine physicians are in short supply
in our community,” noted Representative Don Hogan (R-St. Simons
Island), dean of the delegation. “This funding is a first step to
help alleviate that issue.”
“Having a pipeline of primary care physicians in our community is
so important,” said Representative Buddy DeLoach (R-Townsend). “I
am honored to support funding for the Health System to complete a feasibility
study and analysis of adding a primary care residency program to our community.”
All medical school graduates must complete a period of residency training
to be licensed to practice medicine. During residency, doctors learn skills
and techniques specific to their chosen specialty under the supervision
of attending physicians and serve as part of a care team. Medical workforce
research finds that physicians frequently select a future practice location
within the state or community in which they complete their residency.
“We anticipate that any residency program offered would be three
years in length and focused on primary care, which includes both family
medicine and internal medicine,” Scherneck said.
The Health System’s affiliated physician practice group,
Southeast Georgia Physician Associates, is comprised of more than 140 physicians that serve Brantley, Camden,
Charlton, Glynn and McIntosh counties. “Our physicians are dedicated
and excited about teaching the next generation of physicians,” added
Scherneck. “Our talented group of physicians and staff position
us well to take on graduate medical education. We already host undergraduate
medical education rotations, and we know the academic enterprise improves
the quality and reach of our services and our skills.”
“A medical residency program would not only provide additional primary
care physicians in our community, it would also promote economic development
through an increase of high-paying jobs. I’m proud of the work the
Health System has done to make this a reality,” said Representative
Steven Sainz (R-Woodbine).
“I cannot thank our local delegation and the Georgia House of Representatives
enough for supporting this funding,” Scherneck said. “We look
forward to working with the Senate and the Governor’s office to
have the funding finalized.”
Senator Sheila McNeill (R-Brunswick) expressed optimism about the funding:
“I look forward to supporting the Health System’s funding
request in the Senate and the opportunity to have a graduate medical education
program for physicians in our community.”