Declining accessibility to healthcare professionals has been a topic of conversation in rural communities for decades. In 2016, the discussion moved to action when local visionaries approached the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) about establishing the first four-year medical college in South Georgia.
Located on a sprawling 31-acre site in Moultrie, Colquitt County, in August 2019, PCOM South Georgia welcomed its inaugural class of doctor of osteopathic (DO) medical students to its new campus.
In this episode, Joanne Jones, campus officer, provides an overview of PCOM South Georgia’s growth and expansion plans.
What you will learn on this podcast:
· PCOM started more than a century ago in Philadelphia and in 2005 opened PCOM Georgia, in Suwanee, near Atlanta.
· A Doctor of Osteopathic (DO) medicine uses a “whole person” approach to medicine by treating the entire person rather than symptoms.
· Upon graduation from PCOM South Georgia, the DOs will start their residency. The goal is to place as many as possible at healthcare facilities within the region, including Archbold Medical Center, Colquitt Regional Medical Center, and South Georgia Medical Center.
· Statistics show that where doctors complete a residency program, a majority remain within a 100-mile radius.
· PCOM South Georgia has started pathway programs to provide high school students exposure to career opportunities in healthcare.
· Expanding its outreach, PCOM South Georgia has partnered with Georgia Southern University, Valdosta State University, and Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College to provide articulation agreements.
· Looking toward future growth, PCOM South Georgia values its community partnerships, including financial contribution for developing new programs that meet regional healthcare needs.
Join us next time as we continue to promote South Georgia as a great place to live, work, play, and visit.
Thanks to our sponsor Smalltown Broadcasting and WDDQ, home of the Scott James Matheson Show, where you can listen live from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., Monday through Friday on Talk 92.1 http://talk921.com/ or through the TuneIn app https://tunein.com/radio/Talk-921
Spencer Van Horn, Smalltown Broadcasting, produces South Georgia Insider.
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