2025 Georgia medical school graduate survey report.

2025 Georgia Medical School Graduate Survey Report
Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce Summer 2025 1

Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................................................................. 4 Table 1: Number of Responses by Medical School ........................................................................................................ 4
Methodology............................................................................................................................................................................................. 5 Key Findings from the 2025 Survey ....................................................................................................................................................... 5
Demographics........................................................................................................................................................ 5 Intended Practice Location After Residency ................................................................................................................. 5 Specialty............................................................................................................................................................... 6 Choice of and Match to Georgia Residency Programs .................................................................................................... 6 Table 2: Gender Distribution by Medical School ........................................................................................................... 7 Table 3: Average Age by Medical School..................................................................................................................... 8 Figure 1: Aggregated Age Distribution ....................................................................................................................... 9 Table 4: Citizenship Status..................................................................................................................................... 10 Table 5: Race/Ethnicity by Medical School ................................................................................................................ 11 Figure 2: Race/Ethnic Distribution by Medical School .................................................................................................. 12 Table 6: Hispanic Ethnicity by Medical School............................................................................................................ 13 Table 7: Undergraduate and Medical School Debt by Medical School ............................................................................. 14 Table 8: Primary Care/Core Specialty Matched to in Post Graduate Year 1 & Intended Career Specialty .............................. 15 Table 9: Which Georgia GME Programs are in Respondents' Top Three Choices by Intended Primary Care/Core Practice Specialty............................................................................................................................................................. 16 Figure 3: Intended Practice State & Underserved Area of Practice for Those Entering a Primary Care/Core Specialty............. 17 Table 10: Factors Important in Determining Specialty ................................................................................................ 18 Figure 4: Number of Respondents Saying this Factor Had "Strong" or "Moderate" Influence on Choice of Specialty............... 19 Figure 5: Strength of Factors' Influence upon Choice of Specialty ................................................................................. 20 Table 11: Successfully Matched to GME Program ....................................................................................................... 22 Figure 6: Matched to a GME Program by Medical School.............................................................................................. 23
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Table 12: In-State (Georgia) or Out-of-State Match ................................................................................................... 24 Figure 7: Location of GME & Breakdown of In-State Matched Students by Medical School ................................................. 25 Figure 8: Matched to GME Program & Match to First-Choice Program ............................................................................ 26 Table 13: Use of Signaling via the ERAS System During Match..................................................................................... 27 Table 14: Any Georgia GME Programs in Top Three Choices ........................................................................................ 28 Table 15: Number of Georgia GME Programs in Top Three Choices by Medical School ...................................................... 29 Figure 9: Number of Georgia GME Programs in Respondents' Top 3 Choices in Match ...................................................... 30 Table 16: Georgia GME Programs in Top Three Choices .............................................................................................. 31 Figure 10: Top 3 Reasons for Leaving Georgia........................................................................................................... 32 Figure 11: Top 3 Reasons for Leaving Georgia by Medical School ................................................................................. 33 Table 17: Intended Career Specialty of Respondents who Desired to Stay in Georgia but did not Match to a Georgia GME Program ............................................................................................................................................................. 34 Other Factors Important to Leaving Georgia for Residency .......................................................................................... 35 Table 18: Overall Perception of Georgia's Residency Training Programs in Respondent's Specialty ..................................... 36 Figure 12: Overall Perception of Georgia's Residency Programs in Respondent's Specialty ................................................ 37 Table 19: Factors Important in Choosing a Residency Program .................................................................................... 38 Figure 13: Strength of Factors' Influence Upon Choice of Residency Program ................................................................. 39 Table 20: Intent to Practice in an Underserved Area and Type of Underserved Area by Medical School ............................... 40 Figure 14: Plan to Practice in Underserved Area & Type of Underserved Area ................................................................. 41 Map: Other States Where Georgia Medical School Graduates Plan to Practice Following Residency ..................................... 42 Acknowledgments ................................................................................................................................................................................. 43
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Executive Summary

The Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce has conducted an annual survey of graduating medical students from each of Georgia's medical schools since 2008. This survey aims to inform policymakers, medical school administrators, graduate medical education administrators, and other government and non-government agencies about the medical school pipeline. Additionally, it provides insight into why medical students choose a specialty and residency site, as well as how many intend to ultimately practice in Georgia upon completing their training. This report aggregates the data from responses collected from each of Georgia's five medical schools. The completion rates of each medical school are as follows.

Table 1: Number of Responses by Medical School

Medical School

Total Graduates

Survey Completions

Completion Rate

Emory University School of Medicine (Emory)

143

124

87.0%

Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University (MCG)

245

115

46.9%

Mercer University School of Medicine (Mercer)

139

136

97.8%

Morehouse School of Medicine (Morehouse)

94

83

88.3%

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine-Georgia (PCOM)

183

167

91.3%

Total

804

625

77.7%

This year's Medical School Graduate (MSG) survey had more responses than in 2024. In 2024, the MSG survey had 515 completions, or 70.1% of medical school graduates.

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Methodology
This year, the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce collected medical school graduate survey responses through an online form, which was emailed to the program directors of the state's five medical schools. The Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce data team then sent weekly reminders and status update emails to each school until the completion deadline of May 1st. The analyses presented here were conducted using Microsoft Excel.
Key Findings from the 2025 Survey
Demographics
More people identifying as female than male completed the Medical School Graduate survey; 58.1% of survey completers are female, which is a 2.5 percentage point increase from last year. The medical school with the highest percentage of female respondents is Emory (71.0%), while the school with the lowest percentage of female respondents is PCOM (50.3%).
The average age of all respondents is 28.1. The youngest respondent is 23 years old, while the oldest respondent is 47. PCOM has the oldest average age of respondents at 28.8 years old, while MCG's has the youngest average age of respondents at 27.0 years old.
A comparable percentage of respondents this year identified as U.S. citizens as last year (97.7% of respondents last year versus 98.2% this year). Six respondents identified as permanent residents, and five identified with another citizenship status.
In 2025, 51.0% of respondents identify as white. This is higher than the percentage last year (44.9%). Overall, 49.0% of respondents identified with an underrepresented race/ethnicity (23.0% Asian/Pacific Islander; 19.4% Black/African American; 2.4% multi-race; and 4.2% "other"). Morehouse has the highest percentage of respondents identifying with an underrepresented race/ethnicity (94.0%). Mercer has the lowest percentage of respondents identifying with an underrepresented race/ethnicity (27.9%).
Overall, 11.5% of respondents identify as Hispanic. PCOM has the highest percentage of respondents (15.0%) who identify as Hispanic, while MCG has the lowest percentage of respondents (6.1%) who identify as Hispanic.
Intended Practice Location After Residency
66.7% of respondents intend to locate their practice in an underserved area or with an underserved population. The school with the highest rate of respondents planning to locate in an underserved area or with an underserved population is Morehouse (85.5%); the school with the lowest percentage is PCOM (58.7%).
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Of those who plan to locate their practice in an underserved area or with an underserved population, 20.8% plan to practice in an inner city community. The remaining 45.9% of respondents plan to locate their practice in rural communities, suburban communities, small cities, and other areas within major cities.
401 respondents (64.2%) answered that Georgia is the likely state for their practice after residency.
Specialty
336 respondents (53.8%) intend to practice in a primary care/core specialty after training. Of these, 232 (69.0%) plan to practice in Georgia.
PCOM respondents are most likely to say they intend to practice in a primary care/core specialty (67.7%), while Emory's respondents are least likely (39.5%).
The largest primary care/core specialties respondents intend to practice are internal medicine (66 respondents; 10.6% of all respondents) and family medicine (62 respondents; 10.0% of total respondents).
Choice of and Match to Georgia Residency Programs
57.9% of respondents listed a Georgia residency program among their top three choices during the Match. This is slightly higher than last year's percentage (50.2%).
Respondents from Morehouse are most likely to have a Georgia GME program among their top three choices during the Match (71.1%). Respondents from MCG are the least likely to have a Georgia GME program in their top three choices (46.1%).
32.3% of respondents who had a Georgia GME program among their top three choices in the Match listed two or three Georgia GME programs.
The three most popular Georgia GME programs ranked by survey respondents are Emory University School of Medicine (191 selections), Northeast Georgia Medical Center (26), and Medical College of Georgia (25).
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Table 2: Gender Distribution by Medical School

Medical School
Emory University School of Medicine

Female Number Percent

88

71.0%

Male Number Percent

36

29.0%

Total Number Percent

124

100.0%

Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University

70

60.9%

44

38.3%

115

100.0%

Mercer University School of Medicine

75

55.1%

61

44.9%

136

100.0%

Morehouse School of Medicine

46

55.4%

37

47.8%

83

100.0%

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine-Georgia

84

50.3%

83

49.7%

167

100.0%

Total

363

58.1%

261

41.8%

624 100.0%

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Table 3: Average Age by Medical School

Medical School
Emory University School of Medicine Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University Mercer University School of Medicine Morehouse School of Medicine Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine-Georgia
Total Respondents Total (Percentage)

24-29
97 104 112 59 119
491 78.6%

Age Grouping

30-34
24 9 21 19 41
114 18.2%

35-39
3 2 2 2 4
13 2.1%

40
0 0 1 2 3
6 1.0%

Average Age
28.3 27.0 27.7 28.4 28.8
28.1

Note: All respondents answered the age question. Averages and total percentages are calculated from the total valid responses (625).

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Figure 1: Aggregated Age Distribution

Frequency

Aggregated Age Distribution
160
144 140
130
120
102 100

80

59

60

52

40

37

30

22

20

18

1

4

7

5

3

3

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

0

23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 45 47

Age

9

Table 4: Citizenship Status

Citizenship Status
Citizen (Naturalized or Native-Born) Permanent Resident Other
Total

Number
614 6 5
625

Note: Percentages are calculated from the total valid responses (625).

Percent
98.2% 1.0% 0.8%
100.0%

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Table 5: Race/Ethnicity by Medical School

Medical School

White

Asian

Black

Multi-Race

Other

Total

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

Emory University School of Medicine
Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University
Mercer University School of Medicine

63

50.8%

36

29.0%

21

16.9%

2

1.6%

2

1.6% 124 100.0%

80 69.6% 19 16.5%

8

7.0%

4

3.5%

4

3.5% 115 100.0%

98 72.1% 23 16.9%

8

5.9%

2

1.5%

5

3.7% 136 100.0%

Morehouse School of Medicine

5

6.0%

9

10.8%

62

74.7%

3

3.6%

4

4.8%

83

100.0%

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine-Georgia

73

43.7%

57

34.1%

22

13.2%

4

2.4%

11

6.6% 167 100.0%

Total

319 51.0% 144 23.0% 121 19.4% 15 2.4% 26 4.2% 625 100.0%

Note: Percentages are calculated from the total valid responses (625).

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Figure 2: Race/Ethnic Distribution by Medical School
Race/Ethnic Distribution by Medical School
100%

90%

80%

70%

60% 50% 40% 30%

Other Native American/Alaska Native Multi-Race Black/African American Asian/Pacific Islander White

20%

10%

0% Emory University School of Medicine

Medical College of Georgia at Augusta
University

Mercer University School Morehouse School of

of Medicine

Medicine

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine-
Georgia

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Table 6: Hispanic Ethnicity by Medical School

Medical School Emory University School of Medicine

Are you of Hispanic Origin?

Yes

No

Total

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

15

12.1%

109

87.9%

124

100.0%

Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University

7

6.1%

108

93.9%

115

100.0%

Mercer University School of Medicine

15

11.0%

121

89.0%

136

100.0%

Morehouse School of Medicine

10

12.0%

73

88.0%

83

100.0%

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine-Georgia

25

15.0%

142

85.0%

167

100.0%

Total

72

11.5%

553

88.5%

625

100.0%

Note: Percentages are calculated from the total valid responses (625).

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Table 7: Undergraduate and Medical School Debt by Medical School

Medical School Emory University School of Medicine

Average (Mean) Debt of those who Reported Some Debt

Undergraduate Medical

Debt

School Debt

Percent of Respondents who Reported No Debt

Undergraduate

Medical School

$59,412.50

$203,401.58

83.1%

34.7%

Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University

$36,904.00

$187,394.67

78.3%

27.0%

Mercer University School of Medicine

$43,063.41

$208,730.68

60.3%

18.4%

Morehouse School of Medicine

$51,594.45

$288,626.01

49.4%

4.8%

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine-Georgia $50,201.33

$300,141.01

56.9%

9.6%

Total (Mean Average of All Included Respondents) $48,024.06

$244,088.01

65.8%

19.0%

Note: Some medical schools offer loan repayment upon graduation. The amount of this assistance varies by medical school. The figures reported above are self-reported by respondents as of May 2025.

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Table 8: Primary Care/Core Specialty Matched to in Post Graduate Year 1 & Intended Career Specialty

PGY-1 Specialty

Number who Matched to this
Specialty for PGY-1

% of Total Respondents who
Matched to this Specialty

Number who Intend to Practice in this Specialty

% of Respondents who Matched to this Specialty who Intend
to Practice in this Specialty*

Internal Medicine

140

23.9%

66

47.1%

Family Medicine

62

10.6%

62

100.0%

Obstetrics and Gynecology

52

8.9%

52

100.0%

Emergency Medicine

51

8.7%

52

102.0%

Pediatrics

47

8.0%

31

66.0%

Surgery

47

8.0%

35

74.5%

Psychiatry

34

5.8%

33

97.1%

Internal Medicine-Pediatrics

4

0.7%

5

125.0%

*Note: Higher than 100.0% in the last column indicates that some respondents who did not Match to the PGY-1 specialty do intend to ultimately practice in that specialty.

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Table 9: Which Georgia GME Programs are in Respondents' Top Three Choices by Intended Primary Care/Core Practice Specialty

GME Program

Family Medicine

Internal Medicine

Emergency Medicine

Emory University Northeast Georgia Medical Center Atrium Health Navicent Memorial Health University Medical Center Medical College of Georgia Morehouse School of Medicine Wellstar Health System Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center AU/UGA Medical Partnership at St.Mary's Gateway Behavioral Health Community Service Board Colquitt Regional Medical Center AdventHealth Redmond Archbold Medical Center Dwight David Eisenhower Army Medical Center Hamilton Medical Center Northside Hospital Gwinnett Piedmont Columbus Regional Midtown Piedmont Macon Medical Center South Georgia Medical Center Total
Total (Percentage)

10 4 1 4
4 3 8 1
1
1
1 1
39 18.6%

12 8 5 3 3 4 3
6
1
1
1 47 22.4%

19 5 2 6 1
33 15.7%

Internal MedicinePediatrics
4
4 1.9%

OB/GYN Pediatrics Psychiatry Surgery Total

9

8

7

4

8

3

2

1

1

2

1

28 13.3%

18 8.6%

13 1
2 2
1 3 1 1
24 11.4%

7

82

4

22

1

20

2

20

14

1

14

1

9

8

8

3

2

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

17

210

8.1% 100.0%

Percent of Total
Respondents 39.0% 10.5% 9.5% 9.5% 6.7% 6.7% 4.3% 3.8% 3.8% 1.4% 1.0% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5%

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Figure 3: Intended Practice State & Underserved Area of Practice for Those Entering a Primary Care/Core Specialty

Intended Practice State & Underserved Area of Practice for Those Entering a Primary Care/Core Specialty

Plan to practice in a Primary Care/Core Specialty

Type of Area of Practice

Out of State, 66

In State, 180

Rural/Inner City, 79

Urban, 101

Note: 246 Respondents intend to practice in a Primary Care/Core Specialty. 17

Table 10: Factors Important in Determining Specialty

Factor
Competitiveness of Specialty Family expectations Future earning potential Job flexibility Length of residency training Lifestyle Medical education debt Mentor/role model influence Options for fellowship training

No Influence Number Percent

Strength of Factor's Influence

Minor

Moderate

Number Percent Number Percent

Strong Number Percent

Total Responses

210 33.6% 182 29.1% 170 27.2%

63

10.1%

625

362 57.9% 111 17.8%

97

15.5%

55

8.8%

625

87

13.9% 183 29.3% 231 37.0% 124 19.8%

625

58

9.3%

105 16.8% 233 37.3% 229 36.6%

625

145 23.2% 160 25.6% 209 33.4% 111 17.8%

625

47

7.5%

82

13.1% 218 34.9% 278 44.5%

625

262 41.9% 150 24.0% 141 22.6%

72

11.5%

625

99

15.8% 137 21.9% 174 27.8% 215 34.4%

625

96

15.4% 125 20.0% 197 31.5% 207 33.1%

625

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Figure 4: Number of Respondents Saying this Factor Had "Strong" or "Moderate" Influence on Choice of Specialty
Number of Respondents Saying this Factor Had "Strong" or "Moderate" Influence on Choice of Specialty

Lifestyle

94

86

113

65

138

Job flexibility

77

86

97

68

134

Options for fellowship training

91

73

83

53

104

Mentor/role model influence

84

74

82

44

105

Future earning potential

65

67

62

51

110

Length of residency training

55

51

66

39

109

Competitiveness of Specialty

45

37

44

30

77

Medical education debt

37

31

30

29

86

Family expectations 26 21

50

10 45

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

500

Emory University School of Medicine

Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University

Mercer University School of Medicine

Morehouse School of Medicine

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine-Georgia

19

Figure 5: Strength of Factors' Influence upon Choice of Specialty

100% 63
90%

80% 170
70%

60%

50%

182

40%

30%

20% 210
10%

0%

Strength of Factors' Influence upon Choice of Specialty

55

72

124

111

97

229

215

207

278

141

111

209

231

150

174

197

233

160

218

362

183

137

125

262

105

82 145

87

99

96

58

47

Strong Influence Moderate Influence Minor Influence No Influence

20

Other Factors Important in Determining Specialty Fifty-five respondents answered the open-ended question, citing other factors for choosing their specialty. Six factors emerged as important considerations when choosing their specialties and are described below:
Personal enjoyment and interest (29): Respondents mentioned "love," "passion," "interest," "enjoyment," and "satisfaction" when stating how they felt about the content and subject matter of their specialty.
Opportunities offered by the specialty (18): These respondents mentioned specific clinical and professional opportunities available within the specialty, such as pursuing research interests or their career goals.
Proximity to family or location (7): These respondents mention their hometown and proximity to family. Other (2): These responses include dislike of certain laws and a dislike for the type of shift work.
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Table 11: Successfully Matched to GME Program

Medical School

Yes

No

Total

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

Emory University School of Medicine

116

93.5%

8

6.5%

124

100.0%

Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University

112

97.4%

3

2.6%

115

100.0%

Mercer University School of Medicine

128

94.1%

8

5.9%

136

100.0%

Morehouse School of Medicine

71

85.5%

12

14.5%

83

100.0%

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine-Georgia 159

95.2%

8

4.8%

167

100.0%

Total

586

93.8%

39

6.2%

625

100.0%

Note: All respondents answered this question.

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Figure 6: Matched to a GME Program by Medical School

Matched to a GME Program by Medical School

100% 8

3

8

8

12 90%

80%

53 70%

59

59

84

38 60%

50%

40%

30%

63

69

53

75

20%

33

10%

0%

Emory University School of Medical College of Georgia at Mercer University School of Morehouse School of Medicine Philadelphia College of

Medicine

Augusta University

Medicine

Osteopathic Medicine-Georgia

Matched to First Choice

Matched, not First Choice

Not Matched

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Table 12: In-State (Georgia) or Out-of-State Match

Medical School Emory University School of Medicine

Location of Matched Program

Georgia

Out-of-State

Number Percent Number Percent

45

38.8%

71

61.2%

Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University

22

19.6%

90

80.4%

Mercer University School of Medicine

58

45.3%

70

54.7%

Morehouse School of Medicine

34

47.9%

37

52.1%

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine-Georgia

60

37.7%

99

62.3%

Total

Number 116 112 128 71 159

Percent 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Total

219

37.4%

367

62.6%

586

100.0%

Note: 39 respondents (those who did not Match) did not answer this question. Percentages are calculated from the total valid responses for each school.

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Figure 7: Location of GME & Breakdown of In-State Matched Students by Medical School
Location of GME & Breakdown of In-State Matched Student by Medical School

Out of State, 367

In State, 219

Mercer University School of
Medicine, 58

Morehouse School of Medicine, 34

Medical College of Georgia at Augusta
University, 22
Emory University School of
Medicine, 45

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic MedicineGeorgia, 60

25

Figure 8: Matched to GME Program & Match to First-Choice Program
Matched to a GME Program & Matched to a First Choice Program

Matched to a GME Program

Matched to a First Choice Program

No, 6.2%

Yes 93.8%

First Choice, 50.0% Not First Choice, 50.0%

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Table 13: Use of Signaling via the ERAS System During Match

Used Signaling via the ERAS System
No, the specialty I applied for is not participating in signaling.
No, I didn't use signaling for another reason.

Were There Enough Georgia GME Programs to
Meet Your Needs?
-
-

No

Yes, and I Matched to a signaled site.

Yes

Subtotal

No

Yes, but I did not Match to a signaled site.

Yes

Subtotal

Total

Number
18 25 113 297 410 54 79 133 586

Percent of Total Matched Respondents (586) 3.1% 4.3% 19.3% 50.7% 70.0% 9.2% 13.5% 22.7% 100.0%

Note: Only respondents who indicated they did engage with signaling also answered the question "Were there enough Georgia GME programs to meet your needs participating in signaling?"

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Table 14: Any Georgia GME Programs in Top Three Choices

Medical School Emory University School of Medicine Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University Mercer University School of Medicine Morehouse School of Medicine Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine-Georgia
Total

No Number Percent

55

44.4%

Yes Number Percent

69

55.6%

Total Number Percent

124

100.0%

62

53.9%

53

46.1%

115

100.0%

48

35.3%

88

64.7%

136

100.0%

24

28.9%

59

71.1%

83

100.0%

70

42.4%

95

57.6%

165

100.0%

259

41.6%

364

58.4%

623

100.0%

Note: Percentages are calculated from the total valid responses for each medical school.

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Table 15: Number of Georgia GME Programs in Top Three Choices by Medical School

Medical School
Emory University School of Medicine Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University Mercer University School of Medicine

Number of Georgia GME Programs in Top Three Choices

One

Two

Three

Total

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

61

88.4%

4

5.8%

4

5.8%

69

19.9%

47

88.7%

5

9.4%

1

1.9%

53

18.5%

55

62.5%

19

21.6%

14

15.9%

88

21.8%

Morehouse School of Medicine

37

62.7%

12

20.3%

10

16.9%

59

13.3%

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine-Georgia

45

48.4%

19

20.4%

29

31.2%

93

26.5%

Total

245

67.7%

59

16.3%

58

16.0%

362

100.0%

Note: 362 respondents (57.9% of the total respondents) had one, two, or three Georgia GME programs in their top three choices in the Match. The Total column displays the total number who had one, two, or three Georgia GME programs in their top three choices in the Match and the percent of the 362 respondents who came from each medical school.

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Figure 9: Number of Georgia GME Programs in Respondents' Top 3 Choices in Match
Number of Georgia GME Programs in Respondents' Top 3 Choices in Match

2 16.3%

3 16.0%

1 67.7%

Note: 362 respondents (57.9% of the total respondents) said a Georgia GME program was in their top 3 choices during the Match. The graphic above displays the percentages of the 362 respondents answering the question who had 1, 2, or 3 Georgia programs in their top 3 choices.
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Table 16: Georgia GME Programs in Top Three Choices

Georgia GME Program
Emory University School of Medicine Northeast Georgia Medical Center Medical College of Georgia Memorial Health University Medical Center Morehouse School of Medicine Atrium Health Navicent Wellstar Health System AU/UGA Medical Partnership at St. Mary's Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center Gateway Behavioral Health Community Service Board AdventHealth Redmond Northside Hospital Gwinnett Piedmont Macon Medical Center Dwight David Eisenhower Army Medical Center Colquitt Regional Medical Center Hamilton Medical Center South Georgia Medical Center Piedmont Columbus Regional Midtown Piedmont Athens Regional Archbold Medical Center

Number of Responses
191 26 25 23 22 22 15 11 8 4 3 3 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1

Percentage of Total Question Respondents (364) Having this Program in their Top Three Choices
30.6% 4.2% 4.0% 3.7% 3.5% 3.5% 2.4% 1.8% 1.3% 0.6% 0.5% 0.5% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.2%

31

Figure 10: Top 3 Reasons for Leaving Georgia
Top 3 Reasons for Leaving Georgia for Residency

10.7%

4.1%

22.2%

32.6%

Family reasons
Desire to stay in Georgia but did not match to a Georgia program Preferred a highly reputable program out of state in specialty area Higher resident salary
Other

30.4%
Note: Percentages are calculated from the total valid responses (625). Respondents could choose up to 3 reasons. 32

Figure 11: Top 3 Reasons for Leaving Georgia by Medical School
Top 3 Reasons for Leaving Georgia by Medical School
Lack of residencies with osteopathic recognition

Specialty not offered in Georgia

Military obligation

Reason for Leaving Georgia

Quality of Georgia residency programs

Higher resident salary

Preferred a highly reputable program out of state in specialty area

Desire to stay in Georgia but did not match to a Georgia program

Family reasons

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

Number of Selections

Emory MCG Mercer Morehouse PCOM

33

Table 17: Intended Career Specialty of Respondents who Desired to Stay in Georgia but did not Match to a Georgia GME Program

Desire to Stay in Georgia but did not Match to a Georgia GME Program

Intended Career Specialty Number Percent of Total Survey Respondents (625)

Non-Primary Care/Core

53

Primary Care/Core

58

Emergency Medicine

13

Family Medicine

5

Internal Medicine

10

Internal Medicine-Pediatrics

3

Obstetrics and Gynecology

12

Pediatrics

3

Psychiatry

4

Surgery

8

Total

111

8.5% 9.3% 2.1% 0.8% 1.6% 0.5% 1.9% 0.5% 0.6% 1.3% 17.8%

34

Other Factors Important to Leaving Georgia for Residency Five hundred thirty-eight (538) respondents gave an open-ended answer on other factors that influenced their choice to leave Georgia for residency. Note that some responses to this question included indicators of multiple factors.
Leave Georgia (213 respondents): There are many factors that play into why certain respondents decided not to remain in Georgia. Many of the respondents indicated that they desired to be closer to their families in other states. Some indicated a desire to return to Georgia after training. Some of the respondents want to have new experiences and grow outside of Georgia since they have lived in the state for their entire lives.
Positive Out-of-State Program Factors (89 respondents): These comments express positive aspects of an out-of-state program. Examples include in-house fellowships, opportunities for medical mission trips, and feeling cared for by program staff.
Match (59 respondents): These comments highlighted a practical concern about the matching and interview process which prevented respondents from being able to stay in Georgia for residency training. Many respondents expressed a preference to remain in Georgia but were not chosen for interviews at programs in the state. Some also mentioned that their desired specialty did not have programs available in Georgia. Other residents desired to be matched as a couple with their spouses but were unable to do so.
Political and identity issues (13 respondents): These comments implied negative views of Georgia's political and social climate and laws, particularly regarding the full spectrum of practice. Additionally, some sought to serve specific patient populations and promote greater diversity and inclusion.
Military Obligation (5 respondents): Respondents are taking up military obligations. Other (159 respondents): These respondents indicated their desire to leave Georgia for unspecified reasons and their need to be
close to family.
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Table 18: Overall Perception of Georgia's Residency Training Programs in Respondent's Specialty

Rating

Description

Count

1

Georgia programs are among the lowest quality

7

2

Many other states' programs are better quality

75

3

Georgia programs are about average

327

4

Georgia programs are better than many other states' programs

172

5

Georgia programs are among the highest quality

44

Total Responses

625

Note: Percentages are calculated from the total valid responses (625). The median rating is 3.

Percent
1.1% 12.0% 52.3% 27.5% 7.0% 100.0%

36

Figure 12: Overall Perception of Georgia's Residency Programs in Respondent's Specialty

60.0% 50.0%

Overall Perception of Georgia's Residency Programs in Respondent's Specialty
52.3%

40.0% 30.0%

27.5%

20.0% 10.0%

12.0%

7.0%

1.1%

0.0%

1

2

3

4

5

37

Table 19: Factors Important in Choosing a Residency Program

Factor
Availability of residency programs in desired specialty

No Influence Number Percent

Strength of Factor's Influence

Minor

Moderate

Number Percent Number Percent

Strong Number Percent

Total Responses

154 24.6% 124 19.8% 172 27.5% 175 28.0%

625

Family

110 17.6% 105 16.8% 192 30.7% 218 34.9%

625

Fellowship opportunities

117 18.7% 118 18.9% 185 29.6% 205 32.8%

625

Flexibility of program

78

12.5% 134 21.4% 258 41.3% 155 24.8%

625

Location

26

4.2%

49

7.8%

158 25.3% 392 62.7%

625

Reputation of residency program

33

5.3%

74

11.8% 238 38.1% 280 44.8%

625

Resident salary

152 24.3% 221 35.4% 180 28.8%

72

11.5%

625

Note: Percentages are calculated from the total valid responses (Total Responses column) for each factor.

38

Figure 13: Strength of Factors' Influence Upon Choice of Residency Program

100%
90% 175
80%
70%

Strength of Factors' Influence Upon Choice of Residency Program

72

155

218

205

280 180

392

60% 172
50%
40% 124
30%
20%
154 10%
0% Availability of
residency programs in desired specialty

192
105 110 Family

258 185

221 238

118

134

158

117 78
Fellowship Flexibility of program opportunities

49 26 Location

74

152

33
Reputation of residency program

Resident salary

Strong Moderate Minor No Influence
39

Table 20: Intent to Practice in an Underserved Area and Type of Underserved Area by Medical School

Medical School

Intend to Practice in Underserved Area & Type of Underserved Area

Yes

Small city

Percent

Total

No

Inner City

Rural

(city Suburban population

Other area

Intending Responses

within major Underserved

less than

city

Practice

50,000)

Emory University School of Medicine

45

48

2

2

5

22

63.7%

124

Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University

38

21

9

14

20

13

67.0%

115

Mercer University School of Medicine

44

8

21

26

28

9

67.6%

136

Morehouse School of Medicine

12

31

1

16

7

Philadelphia College of

Osteopathic Medicine-

69

22

18

30

22

Georgia

Total

208

130

51

88

82

16

85.5%

83

6

58.7%

167

66

417

625

Total (Percentage)

33.3%

20.8%

8.2%

14.1%

13.1%

10.6%

66.7%

100.0%

Note: Respondents could answer that they intend to serve underserved populations in each type of geographic area. 40

Figure 14: Plan to Practice in Underserved Area & Type of Underserved Area
Plan to Practice in an Underserved Area/with an Underserved Population & Type of Underserved Area

No, 33.3%

Yes, 66.7%

Rural, 8.2% Suburban, 14.1%

Inner City, 20.8%

Small city (city population less than
50,000), 13.1%

Other area within major city, 10.6%
41

Map: Other States Where Georgia Medical School Graduates Plan to Practice Following Residency
Intended Practice State

2 15

2 1
1
1 7

3

1 2 1
3 12

2
24 1
11

1

1

11

19

3

5 GA, 401

9

1

48

Count 401
1

Powered by Bing GeoNames, Microsoft, TomTom

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Acknowledgments
This report was produced under the direction of Chet Bhasin, Executive Director; Leanna Greenwood, MA, Ph.D., Data Team Manager; Briana Harris, Data Analyst; and G.E.Alan Dever, MD, Ph.D., Consultant. This document is provided to the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce members on behalf of Executive Director Chet Bhasin.
Board Members:
James Barber, M.D. - Chair William R. "Will" Kemp - Vice Chair Lily Jung Henson, M.D. - Secretary/Treasurer Garrett Bennett, M.D. Kitty Carter-Wicker, M.D. Carolyn Clevenger, DNP William Fricks, M.D. Steven Gautney, MSHA Michael J. Groover, D.M.D. Indran Indrakrishnan, M.D. Terri McFadden-Garden, M.D. Amy Reeves, PA-C James Lofton Smith, Jr., M.D. Joseph L. Walker, M.D.
The Board would like to thank Georgia's medical schools for participating in the survey: Emory University School of Medicine Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University Mercer University School of Medicine Morehouse University School of Medicine Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine-Georgia
The 2025 Georgia Medical School Graduate Survey report can be downloaded at healthcareworkforce.georgia.gov. The Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce welcomes comments and suggestions for future editions of this report. Please send comments to leanna.greenwood@dch.ga.gov.
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