#United States #Atlanta #Graduate Medical Education #Piedmont Healthcare #Medical Residents

Piedmont Launches Expanded Graduate Medical Education Program

In a significant move to enhance healthcare quality and access throughout Georgia, Piedmont Healthcare has announced the commencement of a new Graduate Medical Education (GME) program, slated to begin in 2027. This initiative is poised to significantly transform the medical training landscape by incorporating both medical and surgical residents into Piedmont’s clinical hubs across the state.

Recognizing the pressing need for additional healthcare professionals, Piedmont appointed Dr. Karen Law, a seasoned leader with extensive experience in medical education, as the Chief of GME. Dr. Law's impressive credentials include her prior roles as a Professor of Medicine at Emory University and as the Director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program. Her appointment signals a commitment to delivering high-quality education for aspiring healthcare providers, as she has numerous accolades in mentoring medical students and residents alike.

Currently, Piedmont operates local residency programs in its hospitals located in Columbus, Cartersville, Macon, and Athens, having welcomed 80 new residents this year alone. The upcoming GME program aims to expand this footprint by introducing additional residency and fellowship opportunities at Piedmont Atlanta, Piedmont Athens Regional, and Piedmont Augusta. By the year 2035, the program anticipates the incorporation of an additional 386 residents and fellows annually, thereby addressing the escalating demand for healthcare services in Georgia.

This initiative is particularly timely amidst the backdrop of a projected physician shortage in the country. With one in three healthcare providers nearing retirement age and an expected increase in the senior adult population, the U.S. faces a shortfall of around 124,000 physicians by the year 2034, according to research from the Association of American Medical Colleges. Studies indicate that physicians frequently choose to practice in the areas where they complete their residency training, making the establishment of this program a strategic investment for Georgia’s healthcare future.

"Piedmont exists to serve its communities and the creation of this program will benefit all Georgians by increasing the quantity and quality of physicians in the state," stated Kevin Brown, President and CEO of Piedmont Healthcare. He emphasized that one of the organization's core values is to 'Embrace the Future,' and the initiation of the GME program is a proactive measure to meet current healthcare challenges and enhance service quality for the state.

The new graduate medical education program will kick off with specializations in Internal Medicine and General Surgery at Piedmont Atlanta. As it progresses, Piedmont plans to broaden the scope of the program to include various other specialties, such as Obstetrics/Gynecology, Pulmonology/Critical Care, Orthopedic Surgery, Gastroenterology, Hematology/Oncology, Neurosurgery, Transplant Hepatology, and Cardiovascular Disease. These efforts not only reflect Piedmont’s commitment to medical education but also its dedication to empowering the next generation of healthcare providers.

With a vision rooted in community service and healthcare excellence, Piedmont is set to redefine the future of medical education in Georgia. By nurturing a new generation of trained healthcare professionals, Piedmont aims to meet the evolving health needs of its communities and ensure that quality healthcare is accessible to all. This progressive approach marks a new beginning for healthcare education in the region, setting the bar for how healthcare systems can adapt and thrive in an ever-changing landscape.