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 2 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 3 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. 4 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%). 5 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). 6 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% 7 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). 8 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% 10 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). 11 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 12 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). 13 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. 14 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. 15 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% 16 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 18 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. 21 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. 22 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 23 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. 24 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% 26 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?" 27 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. 28 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. 29 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. 30 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. 35 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 42 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. 43