There is a shortage of pediatricians and other physicians in many parts of Georgia, especially in rural counties. A new initiative is underway to help address some of the gaps.
Children’s Health Care of Atlanta and the Mercer University School of Medicine are partnering on the effort, with what officials say is a dedicated, sustainable fund of $200 million allocated last year by the Children’s Board of Trustees.
The fund would pay for 10 full-tuition scholarships for pediatrics students, who are required to commit to practicing in rural Georgia for at least four years after their residency training.
At the Capitol Wednesday, Kemp said the program has the potential to help make health care easier to access in rural Georgia.
“Over a half-a-million Georgia children currently live in rural counties, and at least 24,000 babies are born each year in these places. But fewer than 200 pediatricians live and work in those same counties,” he said. “And as I said in my State of the State address last month, 67 counties in Georgia have fewer than 10 physicians. And even more alarming, roughly 65 rural counties have no pediatricians.”
