Georgia graduate medical education exit survey report, based on responses to the 2025 GME exit survey

Georgia Graduate Medical Education Exit Survey Report
Based on responses to the 2025 GME Exit Survey
Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce
Published Fall 2025

Executive Summary ...................................................................................................... 1 Methodology .................................................................................................................. 1
Table 1: Respondents and Survey Completion Rate by Program, 2025 ............................................... 2 Key Findings from the 2025 Survey............................................................................. 3
Demographic Analysis........................................................................................................................... 3 Education: High School ......................................................................................................................... 3 Education: Medical School.................................................................................................................... 3 Sub-Specialty......................................................................................................................................... 4 Debt and Salary ..................................................................................................................................... 4 Retention .............................................................................................................................................. 5 Practice Opportunities .......................................................................................................................... 5 Satisfaction with Training...................................................................................................................... 6 Demographic Analysis.................................................................................................. 6 Gender......................................................................................................................... 6 Figure 1: Gender Distribution, 2025 ..................................................................................................... 6 Figure 2: Percent Female, 2021-2025 ................................................................................................... 7 Table 2: Specialties by Gender, 2025 .................................................................................................... 7 Race and Ethnicity....................................................................................................... 8 Table 3: Racial and Ethnic Distribution, 2025 ....................................................................................... 8 Figure 3: Racial Distribution, 2025 ........................................................................................................ 8 Figure 4: Percent Black Race & Percent Hispanic Ethnicity, 2021-2025 ............................................... 9 Citizenship Distribution .............................................................................................. 10 Table 4: Citizenship Distribution, 2025 ............................................................................................... 10 Figure 5: Citizenship Status, 2025 ....................................................................................................... 10 Age Distribution ......................................................................................................... 11 Table 5: Age Distribution, 2025........................................................................................................... 11 Figure 6: Age Distribution, 2025 ......................................................................................................... 11 Education: High School .............................................................................................. 12 Table 6: Residence Upon Graduating from High School, 2025 ........................................................... 12 Figure 7: Residence Upon Graduating from High School, 2025.......................................................... 12 Location of High School and Plans to Remain in State After Graduation .................. 13 Figure 8: Percent of Georgia High School Graduates Planning to Remain in State After Graduation, 2021-2025 ........................................................................................................................................... 13

Figure 9: Percent of non-Georgia High School Graduates Planning to Remain in State After Graduation, 2021-2025....................................................................................................................... 14 Education: Medical School......................................................................................... 15 Table 7: Residence Upon Graduating from Medical School, 2025 ..................................................... 15 Figure 10: Residence Upon Graduating from Medical School, 2025 .................................................. 15 Percent who Graduated from Georgia Medical Schools ............................................ 16 Figure 11: Percent who Graduated from Georgia Medical Schools, 2021-2025 ................................ 16 Table 8: Degree Type, 2025 ................................................................................................................ 17 Figure 12: Percent Osteopathic Degree, 2021-2025........................................................................... 17 Medical School Graduates Planning to Remain in State after Graduation................. 18 Figure 13: Percent of Georgia Medical School Graduates Planning to Remain In-State after Graduation, 2021-2025....................................................................................................................... 18 Figure 14: Percent of non-Georgia Medical School Graduates Planning to Remain In-State after Graduation, 2021-2025....................................................................................................................... 18 Respondent Attended Which Georgia Medical School .............................................. 19 Figure 15: Respondent Attended which Georgia Medical School, 2025 ............................................ 19 Map 1: Respondents' Medical School Location, 2025 ........................................................................ 20 Specialty and Intended Practice Location by Medical School Location ..................... 21 Table 9: Medical School Location: Specialties of Graduates and Intended Practice Location, 2025 . 21 Figure 16: Medical School Location of Internal Medicine Graduates, 2025....................................... 22 Figure 17: Medical School Location of Family Medicine Graduates, 2025 ......................................... 22 Figure 18: Medical School Location of Emergency Medicine Graduates, 2025 ................................. 23 Figure 19: Medical School Location of Pediatrics Graduates, 2025.................................................... 23 Figure 20: Medical School Location of General Surgery Graduates, 2025 ......................................... 24 Figure 21: Medical School Location of OB/GYN Graduates, 2025 ...................................................... 24 Figure 22: Medical School Location of Psychiatry Graduates, 2025 ................................................... 25 Specialties of Medical School Graduates Planning to Stay in Georgia Versus Those Planning to Practice Out of State............................................................................... 26 Figure 23: Specialties of Georgia Medical School Graduates Planning to Stay in Georgia versus those Planning to Practice Out of State, 2025.............................................................................................. 26 Figure 24: Specialties of other U.S. States Medical School Graduates Planning to Stay in Georgia versus those Planning to Practice Out of State, 2025......................................................................... 27 Figure 25: Specialties of Offshore/Caribbean Medical School Graduates Planning to Stay in Georgia versus those Planning to Practice Out of State, 2025......................................................................... 28

Figure 26: Specialties of Other Countries' Medical School Graduates Planning to Stay in Georgia versus those Planning to Practice Out of State, 2025......................................................................... 29 Respondents who Graduated from High School, Medical School, and GME in Georgia and Plan to Stay in Georgia after Graduation ............................................................ 30 Figure 27: Respondents who Attended High School, Medical School, and GME in Georgia and Plan to Remain in Georgia, 2021-2025 ....................................................................................................... 30 Respondents who Graduated from a non-Georgia High School and Medical School and Plan to Stay in Georgia after Graduation ............................................................ 31 Figure 28: Respondents who Attended Both a Non-Georgia High and Medical School Plan to Remain in Georgia, 2021-2025......................................................................................................................... 31 Education: Resident and Fellow Distribution ........................................................... 32 Table 10: Distribution of Residents and Fellows by Education Location, 2025 .................................. 32 Figure 29: Location of High School: Residents vs Fellows................................................................... 32 Figure 30: Location of Medical School: Residents vs Fellows ............................................................. 33 Financial Information .................................................................................................. 34 Table 11: Education Debt, 2025.......................................................................................................... 34 Table 12: Current Level of Education Debt by Specialty, 2025........................................................... 34 Figure 31: Current Level of Education Debt, 2025.............................................................................. 35 Figure 32: Percent Having no Education Debt, 2021-2025................................................................. 35 Table 13: Total Scholarship Money Received for Medical School, 2025 ............................................ 36 Figure 33: Total Scholarship Money Received for Medical School ..................................................... 36 Expected Gross Income in First Year of Practice .................................................... 37 Table 14: Expected Gross Income in First Year of Practice, 2025 ....................................................... 37 Table 15: Expected Gross Income in First Year of Practice by Specialty, 2025................................... 37 Figure 34: Expected Gross Income in First Year of Practice, 2025...................................................... 38 Practice Information.................................................................................................... 39 Table 16: Top 5 intended Primary Activities after Current Year of Training, 2025............................. 39 Figure 35: Top 5 Intended Primary Activities After Current Year of Training, 2025........................... 40 Table 17: Practice Setting, 2025.......................................................................................................... 41 Table 18: Expect to be at Principal Practice for 4 or More Years by Program, 2025.......................... 42 Practice Location ........................................................................................................ 43 Table 19: Practice Location, 2025 ....................................................................................................... 43 Figure 36: Percent Staying in Georgia After Graduation, 2021-2025 ................................................. 44 Table 20: Practice Area, 2025 ............................................................................................................. 44

Figure 37: Percent Planning Rural Practice, 2021-2025...................................................................... 45 Specialty ...................................................................................................................... 46
Table 21: Specialties of Respondents Planning to Stay in Georgia after Completion of their Program ............................................................................................................................................................ 46 Figure 38: Primary Care/Core Specialties of Respondents Planning to Stay in Georgia after Graduation .......................................................................................................................................... 47 Internal Medicine Graduates Pursuing Fellowship .................................................. 48 Table 22: Internal Medicine Graduate Pursuing Fellowship............................................................... 48 Table 23: Fellowship Specialties Pursued by Internal Medicine Graduates ....................................... 48 Primary Care/Core Specialty Graduates Going into Sub-Specialties ..................... 49 Table 24: Primary Care/Core Graduates Going into Sub-Specialties .................................................. 49 Job Search ................................................................................................................... 50 Table 25: Actively Job Searched, 2025................................................................................................ 50 Table 26: Job Offers and Acceptance, 2025........................................................................................ 50 Figure 39: Percentage of Respondents Who Considered One or More Job Offers in Georgia, 20212025 .................................................................................................................................................... 51 Table 27: Influence of State Liability Environment (Tort Reform) on Job Search............................... 51 Figure 40: Influence of State Liability Environment (Tort Reform) on Job Search ............................. 52 What made an out-of-state job more appealing than one in Georgia? ............................................. 53 Table 28: Job Search Approaches, 2025 ............................................................................................. 54 Table 29: Difficulty Finding a Job Rating, 2025 ................................................................................... 54 Figure 41: Difficulty Finding a Job Rating, 2025 .................................................................................. 54 Table 30: Specific Difficulties in Finding a Job, 2025 .......................................................................... 55 Other Reasons for Difficulty in Finding a Job, 2025 ............................................................................ 55 Table 31: Ratings and Perception of Training, Educational Debt Repayment, Practice Opportunities, and Rural Practice, 2025 ..................................................................................................................... 56 Figure 42: Ratings and Perception of Training, Educational Debt Repayment, Practice Opportunities, and Rural Practice, 2025 ..................................................................................................................... 57 Table 32: Top 3 Reasons for Leaving Georgia, 2025 ........................................................................... 58 Figure 43: Top 3 Reasons for Leaving Georgia, 2025.......................................................................... 59 Figure 44: Top 3 Reasons for Leaving Georgia by Gender, 2025 ........................................................ 60 Other Reasons for Leaving Georgia, 2025 .......................................................................................... 61 Map 2: Location of Primary Activity after Current Year of Training, 2025 ......................................... 62 Additional Feedback on the 2025 GME Exit Survey............................................................................ 63

Figure 45: Additional Feedback on the 2025 GME Exit Survey........................................................... 64 Acknowledgments....................................................................................................... 65 Board Members ........................................................................................................... 65

Executive Summary
This report is the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce's (GBHCW) 23rd annual report of physicians graduating from Georgia's graduate medical education (GME) programs. The purpose of this survey is to provide valuable insights into the experiences of medical graduates and contribute to a deeper understanding of healthcare workforce trends. The findings aim to support medical educators, policymakers, healthcare organizations, and community stakeholders in making informed decisions about physician supply and demand across Georgia. The survey offers insight into residents' demographic characteristics, compensation and debt levels, retention rates, practice plans, assessments of the job market, and training experience.
Methodology
In June 2025, 995 Georgia GME graduates, representing 95.4% of total GME graduates funded by GBHCW, completed the GME Exit Survey. This reflects a 6.2% increase from 937 responses received last year, and an 11.9% growth since 2023. GBHCW collected GME survey responses through an online form. The survey link was distributed via email to GME program Directors and Coordinators. The GBHCW data team then sent automated weekly reminders and status update emails to each school until the completion deadline of June 10th. Analyses presented here were conducted using Microsoft Excel. The response rates for each question vary and are reported as the "total" for each question. All Georgia GME programs with graduates participated in the survey, and are as follows in Table 1:
1

Table 1: Respondents and Survey Completion Rate by Program, 2025

Program Name

Completions

Percent of Total
Respondents

Total Graduates

Survey Completion
Rate

Emory University School of Medicine (Atlanta)

430

Medical College of Georgia (Augusta)

160

Wellstar Health System (Atlanta Metro)

79

Northeast Georgia Medical Center (Gainesville)

55

Morehouse School of Medicine (Atlanta)

50

Memorial Health University Medical Center (Savannah)

35

Advocate Health (Macon)

33

Northside Hospital Gwinnett (Lawrenceville)

22

Piedmont Macon Medical Center (Macon)

16

Hamilton Medical Center (Dalton)

14

AdventHealth Redmond (Rome)

13

Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center (Athens)*

11

AU/UGA Medical Partnership-St. Mary's Healthcare (Athens)

11

St. Francis Emory Healthcare (Columbus)

10

Piedmont Columbus Regional Midtown (Columbus)

10

Gateway Behavioral Health CSB (Savannah)

9

Advocate Health Floyd (Rome)

8

Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital (Albany)

8

South Georgia Medical Center (Valdosta)

7

Houston Medical Center (Warner Robins)

7

Colquitt Regional Medical Center (Moultrie)

3

Archbold Medical Center (Thomasville)

2

Memorial Satilla (Waycross)

2

43.2% 16.1% 7.9% 5.5% 5.0% 3.5% 3.3% 2.2% 1.6% 1.4% 1.3% 1.1% 1.1% 1.0% 1.0% 0.9% 0.8% 0.8% 0.7% 0.7% 0.3% 0.2% 0.2%

Totals

995

100.0%

*Note: Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center's response rate fell below the threshold of 70.0%

441 168 80 55 56 42 38 22 16 14 13 20 11 10 11
9 8 8 7 7 3 2 2
1043

97.5% 95.2% 98.8% 100.0% 89.3% 83.3% 86.8% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 55.0% 100.0% 100.0% 90.9% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
95.4%

2

Key Findings from the 2025 Survey
Demographic Analysis 49.2% identified as female and 50.8% as male. This reflects a 2.1 percentage point decrease in female respondents compared to the 2024 survey, in which 51.3% identified as female. Respondents aged 3034 years make up 60.5% of the total. While the smallest age group is age 40 and above, which accounts for 8.6%. In 2025, 51.4% of female-identified respondents were completing a primary care/ core specialty, compared to 48.6% of male-identified respondents. This reflects a 4.5 percentage point decrease for females and a corresponding 4.5 percentage point increase for males from 2024. There is a slight narrowing in the gender gap, with more male respondents pursuing primary care/core specialties in 2025. Female-identified respondents made up 50.0% or more of the respondents in the following primary care/ core specialties: family medicine (58.9%), OBGYN (93.1%), psychiatry (75.0%), and pediatrics (77.8%). Compared to prior data, family medicine experienced a slight decline of 3.8 percentage points. In contrast, psychiatry showed a substantial increase of 17.4 percentage points, while OB/GYN and pediatrics saw respective gains of 3.8 and 5.3 percentage points. 67.6% of respondents identified as native-born U.S. citizens, representing a slight increase from the 67.4% reported in 2024. 16.8% of respondents identified as Black, reflecting a decrease from the 20.4% reported in 2024. The percentage of respondents identifying as Hispanic this year is 8.2%, which is a slight decline from the 8.6% reported in 2024.
Education: High School 26.5% of respondents graduated from a high school in Georgia, which is slightly lower than the 27.4% reported last year. Among residency completers, 53.2% graduated from out-of-state high schools, while 30.5% completed high schools in Georgia. Of the respondents who just completed their fellowship, the majority (63.4%) graduated from out-of-state high schools, 19.7% had graduated high school in another country, and 16.9% attended high schools in Georgia.
Education: Medical School The percentage of respondents holding an osteopathic degree is 15.1%, which is lower than 14.2% of respondents last year. 21.1% of respondents attended medical school in Georgia. This is slightly lower than the 23.2% reported in 2024. Of those who recently completed their residency program, 46.2% attended medical school in another state, 24.3% attended medical school in
3

Georgia,16.6% attended medical school in an offshore/Caribbean country, and 12.9% attended medical school in other countries. Among respondents who recently completed their fellowship, 56.9% graduated from a medical school in another state, 21.4% graduated from a medical school in other countries, 13.4% attended medical school in Georgia, and 8.3% attended medical school in an offshore/Caribbean country. Of the respondents who attended medical school in Georgia, the highest number of graduates are from MCG, accounting for 33.3%. Mercer University follows with 20.0%, while the lowest number of graduates is from PCOM-Georgia (15.2%). The primary care/core specialty with the highest percentage of respondents is internal medicine at 43.7% while the lowest percentage is psychiatry at 4.3% Notably, this represents a shift from the previous year, when general surgery had the lowest percentage. Among internal medicine graduates, 22.0% graduated from medical schools outside the United States. 21.1% graduated from offshore/Caribbean medical schools, 31.3% graduated from medical schools in other states, and 25.6% graduated from medical schools in Georgia. For family medicine graduates, 40.2% graduated from offshore/Caribbean medical schools, 8.9% graduated from medical schools outside the United States, 30.1% graduated from medical schools in other states, and 19.6% graduated from medical schools in Georgia.
Sub-Specialty Among all respondents, 27.8% are pursuing subspecialty training, and out of those, 16.1% are graduating from a program in primary care/core specialty. Internal medicine has the highest number of graduates entering subspecialty training, totaling 78 graduates. Of these, 19.2% are staying in Georgia, while the remaining 80.8% are pursuing their training in another state. The top three subspecialties pursued by internal medicine graduates are: cardiovascular disease (20.5%), pulmonary critical care (17.9%), and hematology & medical oncology (12.8%), respectively.
Debt and Salary Respondents reported a mean educational debt of $232,288, with a median debt of $229,000. 32.0% of respondents report having no educational debt. This is higher than the 30.3% reported last year. Respondents anticipated earning an average gross income of $230,032 in their first year of practice, with a median income of $242,000. Among all the primary care/core specialties, emergency medicine respondents stood out with the highest average expected gross income of $250,813.
4

Retention 50.7% of respondents plan to be in Georgia for their primary activity after completion of their program, which is an increase of 2.8 percentage points from last year. 69.3% of respondents who went to high school in Georgia plan to remain in Georgia after graduation. o This compares to 43.9% of respondents who went to a non-Georgia high school planning to stay in Georgia after graduation. 65.2% of respondents who went to medical school in Georgia plan to remain in Georgia after graduation. o This compares to 46.8% of respondents who went to a non-Georgia medical school planning to remain in Georgia after graduation. 67.7% of respondents who attended both high and medical school in Georgia plan to stay in Georgia after graduation. o This compares to 43.1% of respondents who attended both a non-Georgia high school and medical school plan to stay in Georgia after graduation. The primary care/core specialty with the highest percentage of respondents planning to stay in Georgia after graduation is family medicine: 64.3% of those completing this specialty intend to remain in Georgia. The primary care/core specialty with the lowest percentage of respondents planning to stay in Georgia is general surgery: 26.2% of those completing that specialty intend to stay in Georgia. 57.1% of people who answered the question considered one or more job offers in Georgia. This is lower than 59.1% last year. The most-selected reasons for leaving Georgia after GME are: proximity to family (20.9%); fellowship or additional medical training (19.7%); and better jobs in desired location outside Georgia (11.6%). These are the same three top choices as last year. Female-identified respondents are more likely to leave Georgia due to proximity to family, at 22.3%, compared to 19.4% of male-identified respondents. Maleidentified respondents are more inclined to pursue fellowships or additional medical training at 21.2%, compared to 18.1% of female-identified respondents.
Practice Opportunities The average of respondents' overall assessments of practice opportunities in their specialty within 50 miles of the site where they trained is 3.1 on a scale where 1 is very few jobs and 5 is many jobs. This is slightly lower than the mean average of 3.2 reported last year. The average of respondents' overall assessments of practice opportunities in their specialty nationally is 3.8 on a scale where 1 is very few jobs and 5 is many jobs. This is about the same as the average reported last year.
5

65.8% of respondents indicated that tort reform exerts a moderate influence on their decision regarding the state in which to practice, while 6.3% reported that it has a strong influence.
Satisfaction with Training The average response to the statement "Overall, I am satisfied with the training I received" is 4.3 on a scale where 1 is very dissatisfied and 5 is very satisfied. This is about the same as the average reported last year. The average agreement with the statement "I would choose to train at the same site again," is 4.1 on a scale where 1 is strongly disagree and 5 is strongly agree. This is about the same as the average reported last year.
Demographic Analysis
Gender
Figure 1: Gender Distribution, 2025
Gender Distribution

Male 50.8%

Female 49.2%

Note: 3 respondents' gender is unknown.

6

Figure 2: Percent Female, 2021-2025

52.0% 51.0%

Percent Female, 2021-2025
51.3%

50.0% 49.0%

49.3%

49.4%

48.0%

47.0% 46.0%

46.3%

45.0%

44.0%

43.0%

2021

2022

2023

2024

49.2% 2025

Table 2 data show near gender equality overall, with clear gender preferences in certain specialties, particularly high female representation in pediatrics and OB/GYN, and high male representation in general surgery and emergency medicine.

Table 2: Specialties by Gender, 2025

Specialty Completing in 2025

Female

Male

Frequency Percent Frequency Percent

Internal Medicine

106

43.1%

140

56.9%

Family Medicine

66

58.9%

46

41.1%

Emergency Medicine

25

39.1%

39

60.9%

Pediatrics

35

77.8%

10

22.2%

General Surgery

12

28.6%

30

71.4%

OB/GYN

27

93.1%

2

6.9%

Psychiatry

18

75.0%

6

25.0%

Primary Care/Core Subtotal 289

51.4%

273

48.6%

All Other Specialties

199

46.3%

231

53.7%

Total

488

49.2%

504

50.8%

Total
246 112 64 45 42 29 24 562 430
992

Percent
43.8% 19.9% 11.4% 8.0% 7.5% 5.2% 4.3% 56.7% 43.3%
100.0%

7

Race and Ethnicity

Table 3 and Figure 3 show a predominance of white and Asian/Pacific Islander respondents, representation from black/African American respondents, and smaller contributions from other racial and ethnic groups.
Table 3: Racial and Ethnic Distribution, 2025

Race/Ethnicity

Frequency

Percent

White

478

Asian or Pacific Islander

270

Black/African American

166

Multi-Race

40

Others

30

Native American/Alaskan Native

4

48.4% 27.3% 16.8% 4.0% 3.0% 0.4%

Total

988

100.0%

Figure 3: Racial Distribution, 2025

Racial Distribution Native American/Alaskan

Multi-Race

Native

4.0%

Others

0.4%

3.0%

Black/African American 16.8%
Asian or Pacific Islander 27.3%

White 48.4%

8

Figure 4: Percent Black Race & Percent Hispanic Ethnicity, 2021-2025

Percent Black Race & Percent Hispanic Ethnicity 2021-2025

Percent Black

Percent Hispanic

Linear (Percent Black)

Linear (Percent Hispanic)

25.0%

20.0%

15.0%

15.5%

17.2%

18.4%

20.4%

16.8%

10.0% 5.0%

8.1%

5.9%

7.9%

8.6%

8.2%

0.0%

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025
9

Citizenship Distribution

Table 4 and Figure 5 show that most graduates are U.S. citizens. There is also a notable number of graduates who are non-citizens or hold temporary statuses.

Table 4: Citizenship Distribution, 2025

Citizenship Status

Frequency Percent

Native Born U.S. Naturalized U.S. J-1, J-2 Exchange Visitor Permanent Resident H-1, H-2, H-3 Temporary Worker

672

67.6%

197

19.8%

69

6.9%

37

3.7%

19

1.9%

Total

994

100.0%

Figure 5: Citizenship Status, 2025

J-1, J-2 Exchange
Visitor 6.9%

Citizenship Status

Permanent Resident
3.7%

H-1, H-2, H-3 Temporary Worker

1.9%

Naturalized U.S. 19.8%

Native Born U.S. 67.6%

10

Age Distribution

Table 5 presents the age distribution of respondents, highlighting a concentration of graduates in their early 30s, with a notable presence of older trainees.

Table 5: Age Distribution, 2025

Age Grouping

Frequency

Percent

26-29

137

30-34

602

35-39

170

40 and above

86

13.8% 60.5% 17.1% 8.6%

Total

995

100.0%

Figure 6: Age Distribution, 2025

70.0%

Age Distribution

60.0%

60.5%

50.0%

40.0%

30.0%

20.0% 10.0%

13.8%

17.1%

0.0%

26-29

30-34

35-39

8.6% 40 and Above

11

Education: High School

Table 6: Residence Upon Graduating from High School, 2025

Residence Upon Graduating from High School

Frequency

Other U.S. State

559

Georgia

264

Other Country

172

Total

995

Percent
56.2% 26.5% 17.3%
100.0%

Figure 7: Residence Upon Graduating from High School, 2025
Residence Upon Graduating from High School

Other Country 17.3%
Georgia 26.5%

Other U.S. State 56.2%

12

Location of High School and Plans to Remain in State After Graduation

Figures 8 and 9 provide an overview of both Georgia and non-Georgia high school graduates (respectively) who are planning to remain in Georgia after graduation.

Figure 8: Percent of Georgia High School Graduates Planning to Remain in State After Graduation, 2021-2025

80.0% 70.0%

Percent of Georgia High School Graduates Planning to Remain in State After Graduation, 2021-2025

65.0%

72.0%

67.0%

75.1%

69.3%

60.0%

50.0%

40.0%

30.0%

20.0%

10.0%

0.0%

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

13

Figure 9: Percent of non-Georgia High School Graduates Planning to Remain in State After Graduation, 2021-2025

80.0%

Percent of non-Georgia High School Graduates Planning to Remain in State After Graduation,
2021-2025

70.0%

60.0%

50.0% 40.0%

38.4%

40.8%

39.5%

37.6%

43.9%

30.0%

20.0%

10.0%

0.0%

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

14

Education: Medical School

Table 7: Residence Upon Graduating from Medical School, 2025

Location of Medical School

Frequency

Percent

Other U.S. State

491

49.3%

Georgia

210

21.1%

Other Country

153

15.4%

Offshore Island/Caribbean Medical School

141

14.2%

Total

995

100.0%

Figure 10: Residence Upon Graduating from Medical School, 2025

Residence Upon Graduating from Medical School

Offshore Island/Caribbean
14.2%

Other Country 15.4%
Georgia 21.1%

Other U.S. State 49.3%

15

Percent who Graduated from Georgia Medical Schools
Figure 11 shows the percentage of respondents over the last 5 years who have graduated from Georgia medical schools.
Figure 11: Percent who Graduated from Georgia Medical Schools, 2021-2025
Percent who Graduated from Georgia Medical Schools, 2021-2025
30.0%

25.0%

20.0%

18.9%

23.5%

25.9%

23.2%

21.1%

15.0%

10.0%

5.0%

0.0%

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

16

Table 8: Degree Type, 2025
Degree Type
Allopathic (MD) Osteopathic (DO)
Total

Frequency
845 150
995

Percent
84.9% 15.1%
100.0%

Figure 12: Percent Osteopathic Degree, 2021-2025
Percent Osteopathic Degree, 2021-2025

18.0% 16.0% 14.0% 12.0% 10.0%
8.0% 6.0% 4.0% 2.0% 0.0%

10.9% 2021

10.5% 2022

15.6% 2023

14.2% 2024

15.1% 2025

17

Medical School Graduates Planning to Remain in State after Graduation

Figures 13 and 14 highlight the percentage of both Georgia and non-Georgia medical school graduates (respectively) who are planning to remain in Georgia after graduation.

Figure 13: Percent of Georgia Medical School Graduates Planning to Remain In-State after Graduation, 2021-2025

75.0% 70.0% 65.0% 60.0%

Percent of Georgia Medical School Graduates Planning to Remain in State after Graduation, 2021-2025

71.4%

72.8%

62.4%

60.9%

65.2%

55.0%

50.0%

45.0%

40.0%

35.0%

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Figure 14: Percent of non-Georgia Medical School Graduates Planning to Remain In-State after Graduation, 2021-2025

Percent of non-Georgia Medical School Graduates Planning to Remain in State after Graduation, 2021-2025
75.0%

70.0%

65.0%

60.0%

55.0%

50.0% 45.0% 40.0%

40.7%

43.3%

42.2%

40.4%

46.8%

35.0%

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

18

Respondent Attended Which Georgia Medical School Figure 15 shows the number of respondents who graduated from each of Georgia's medical schools. Figure 15: Respondent Attended which Georgia Medical School, 2025
Respondent Attended which Georgia Medical School

PCOMGeorgia

32

Morehouse School of Medicine

33

Emory University School of Medicine

33

Mercer University School of Medicine

42

Medical College of Georgia

70

Does not Apply/Out of State 0

785

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

19

Map 1: Respondents' Medical School Location, 2025
Respondents' Medical School Location

WA 6
OR
NV 1 CA 9

ID 2
UT 3

MT
WY
CO 2

AZ

9

NM

2

AK

Other Countries

153

Offshore Island/ Caribbean

141

ND
SD 1
NE 4
KS 3
OK
TX 36

MN WI 7
IA 2
IL 15 MO 14
AR 5
MS 6 LA 22

NY

MI

27

12

IN 9
KY 7 TN 42
AL 26

PA 24 OH 24 WV 5 VA 21
NC 20
SC 28
GA 210

ME 3
VT 1 NH

FL 52

Range
0 1-5 6-30 31-55 210

Number of States 11 15
21
3 1

Powered by Bing GeoNames, Microsoft, TomTom
20

Specialty and Intended Practice Location by Medical School Location

Table 9 and Figures 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22 provide an overview of the location of medical schools attended by respondents, their specialties, and their planned practice locations.

Table 9: Medical School Location: Specialties of Graduates and Intended Practice Location, 2025

Specialty

Total Graduates

Internal Medicine

246

Family Medicine

112

Emergency Medicine

65

Medical School Location

Georgia

Other State

Offshore/ Caribbean

Other Country

63

77

52

54

22

35

45

10

11

45

5

4

Plans after Graduation

Staying in Georgia
after Completion

Going out of State after
Completion

Going out of the
Country after
Completion

120

124

2

72

38

2

39

24

2

Pediatrics

45

11

27

6

1

26

19

0

General Surgery

42

9

26

4

3

11

29

2

OB/GYN

29

12

16

1

0

14

15

0

Psychiatry
Primary Care/Core Subtotal All Other Specialties
Grand Total

24 563 432
995

8

13

1

2

10

14

0

136

239

114

74

292

263

8

74

252

27

79

212

218

2

210

491

141

153

504

481

10

21

Figure 16: Medical School Location of Internal Medicine Graduates, 2025
Medical School Location of Internal Medicine Graduates
80.0%

70.0%

60.0%

50.0%

40.0% 30.0% 20.0%

25.6%

31.3%

21.1%

22.0%

10.0%

0.0%

Georgia

Out of State

Offshore/Caribbean

Other Country

Figure 17: Medical School Location of Family Medicine Graduates, 2025
Medical School Location of Family Medicine Graduates
80.0%

70.0%

60.0%

50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0%

19.6%

31.3%

40.2%

8.9%

0.0%

Georgia

Out of State

Offshore/Caribbean

Other Country

22

Figure 18: Medical School Location of Emergency Medicine Graduates, 2025

80.0% 70.0%

Medical School Location of Emergency Medicine Graduates
69.2%

60.0%

50.0%

40.0%

30.0%

20.0% 10.0%

16.9%

7.7%

6.2%

0.0%

Georgia

Out of State

Offshore/ Caribbean

Other Country

Figure 19: Medical School Location of Pediatrics Graduates, 2025
Medical School Location of Pediatrics Graduates
80.0%

70.0% 60.0%

60.0%

50.0%

40.0%

30.0% 20.0% 10.0%
0.0%

24.4% Georgia

Out of State

13.3% Offshore/Caribbean

2.2% Other Country

23

Figure 20: Medical School Location of General Surgery Graduates, 2025

Medical School Location of General Surgery Graduates
80.0%

70.0% 60.0%

61.9%

50.0%

40.0%

30.0% 20.0% 10.0%

21.4%

9.5%

7.1%

0.0%

Georgia

Out of State

Offshore/Caribbean

Other Country

Figure 21: Medical School Location of OB/GYN Graduates, 2025
Medical School Location of OB/GYN Graduates
80.0%
70.0%

60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0%

41.4%

55.2%

20.0% 10.0%
0.0%

Georgia

Out of State

3.4% Offshore/Caribbean

0.0% Other Country

24

Figure 22: Medical School Location of Psychiatry Graduates, 2025
Medical School Location of Psychiatry Graduates
80.0%

70.0%

60.0% 50.0%

54.2%

40.0% 30.0%

33.3%

20.0% 10.0%
0.0%

Georgia

Out of State

4.2% Offshore/Caribbean

8.3% Other Country

25

Specialties of Medical School Graduates Planning to Stay in Georgia Versus Those Planning to Practice Out of State

Figures 23, 24, 25, and 26 break out this year's Georgia GME Exit Survey respondents by where they completed medical school: Georgia, other U.S. States, other countries, and offshore/Caribbean, respectively. The figures show total graduates and the number intending to remain in Georgia or go out of state to practice by the specialty they're completing in 2025.

Figure 23: Specialties of Georgia Medical School Graduates Planning to Stay in Georgia versus those Planning to Practice Out of State, 2025

Specialties of Georgia Medical School Graduates Planning to Stay in Georgia versus those Planning to
Practice Out of State

Number of Graduates

Total Graduates

80

74

70

63

60

50

40

30

20

10

0 All Other Internal Specialties Medicine

Number Staying in GA

Number Going Out of State

22

12

11

11

9

8

Family Medicine

OB/GYN Emergency Pediatrics Medicine
Specialties

General Surgery

Psychiatry

Note: A total of 210 respondents attended Georgia Medical School, and two respondents in General Surgery intend to practice outside the country.

26

Figure 24: Specialties of other U.S. States Medical School Graduates Planning to Stay in Georgia versus those Planning to Practice Out of State, 2025

Specialties of other U.S. States Medical School

Graduates Planning to Stay in Georgia versus those

Planning to Practice Out of State

Total Graduates

Number Staying in GA

Number Going Out of State

300
252 250

Number of Graduates

200

150

100

77

50

45

35

27

26

0 All Other Internal Emergency Family Specialties Medicine Medicine Medicine

Pediatrics

General Surgery

16

13

OB/GYN Psychiatry

Specialties

Note: A total of 491 respondents attended medical school in other U.S.States, and two respondents in Internal Medicine intend to practice outside the country.

27

Figure 25: Specialties of Offshore/Caribbean Medical School Graduates Planning to Stay in Georgia versus those Planning to Practice Out of State, 2025

Specialties of Offshore/Caribbean Medical School Graduates Planning to Stay in Georgia versus those
Planning to Practice Out of State

Total Graduates

Number Staying in GA

Number Going Out of State

60 52

50

45

Number of Graduates

40

30

27

20

10

6

5

4

1

1

0

Internal Family All Other Pediatrics Emergency General OB/GYN Psychiatry

Medicine Medicine Specialties

Medicine Surgery

Specialties

Note: A total of 141 respondents attended an offshore/Caribbean medical school, and two respondents in family medicine intend to practice outside the country.

28

Figure 26: Specialties of Other Countries' Medical School Graduates Planning to Stay in Georgia versus those Planning to Practice Out of State, 2025

Specialties of Other Countries' Medical School Graduates Planning to Stay in Georgia versus those
Planning to Practice Out of State

Number of Graduates

Total Graduates

Number Staying in GA

Number Going Out of State

90

79

80

70

60

54

50

40

30

20

10

0 All Other Internal Specialties Medicine

10

4

3

Family Emergency General Medicine Medicine Surgery

2

1

Psychiatry Pediatrics

Specialties

Note: A total of 153 respondents attended medical school in other countries, and 6 respondents intend to practice outside the country: 2 in internal medicine, 1 in family medicine, 1 in general surgery, and 4 in all other specialties.

29

Respondents who Graduated from High School, Medical School, and GME in Georgia and Plan to Stay in Georgia after Graduation

Figure 27 displays the yearly trend in the number of respondents planning to stay in Georgia after graduation, for those who attended high school, medical school, and GME in Georgia, from 2021 to 2025.

Figure 27: Respondents who Attended High School, Medical School, and GME in Georgia and Plan to Remain in Georgia, 2021-2025

80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0%

Respondents who Attended High School, Medical School, and GME in Georgia and Plan to Remain in Georgia, 2021-2025

74.6%

77.9%

600

65.4%

66.9%

67.7%

500

400

40.0%

300

30.0%

20.0%

10.0%

323

344

200

376

449

504

100

0.0%

2021

2022

2023

2024

0 2025

Total Graduates who Plan to Stay in Georgia After Graduation Respondents who Graduated from High School, Medical School, and GME in Georgia and Plan to Stay After Graduation

30

Respondents who Graduated from a non-Georgia High School and Medical School and Plan to Stay in Georgia after Graduation

The chart in Figure 28 displays the yearly trend from 2021 to 2025 in the number of respondents planning to stay in Georgia after graduation, for those who attended both a non-Georgia high school and non-Georgia medical school.

Figure 28: Respondents who Attended Both a Non-Georgia High and Medical School Plan to Remain in Georgia, 2021-2025

Respondents who Attended Both a Non-Georgia High School and nonGeorgia Medical School Planning to Stay after Graduation

80.0%

600

70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0%
0.0%

37.2%
323 2021

38.7%
344 2022

38.3%
376 2023

36.5%
449 2024

500
400 43.1%
300
200
100 504
0 2025

Total Graduates who Plan to Stay in Georgia After Graduation Respondents who Graduated from both non-Georgia High school and non-Georgia Medical School and Plan to Stay After Graduation

31

Education: Resident and Fellow Distribution

Table 10 and Figures 29 and 30 present the geographic origins of respondents, both residents and fellows, based on where they attended high school and medical school across four regions: Georgia, Other U.S. States, Other Countries, and Offshore/Caribbean.

Table 10: Distribution of Residents and Fellows by Education Location, 2025

Graduate Type

Georgia
High Medical School School

Other States
High Medical School School

Other Country
High Medical School School

Offshore / Caribbean
High Medical School School

Resident

215

171

375

326

115

91

-

117

Fellow

49

39

184

165

57

62

-

24

Total 264 210 559 491 172 153

-

141

Figure 29: Location of High School: Residents vs Fellows

70.0% 60.0% 50.0%

Location of High School: Residents vs Fellows
Residents Fellows 63.4% 53.2%

40.0% 30.0% 20.0%

19.7% 16.3%

30.5% 16.9%

10.0%

0.0%

Other States

Other Country Location of High School

Georgia

32

Figure 30: Location of Medical School: Residents vs Fellows

70.0% 60.0%

Location of Medical School: Residents vs Fellows
Residents Fellows
56.9%

50.0%

46.2%

40.0%

30.0% 20.0% 10.0%

21.4% 12.9%

24.3% 13.4%

16.6% 8.3%

0.0%

Other States

Other Country

Georgia

Location of Medical School

Offshore/Caribbean

33

Financial Information

Tables 11 and 12, along with Figures 31 and 32, provide an overview of educational debt across specialties, detailing both mean and median amounts. Figure 30 also illustrates a five-year trend in the percentage of respondents reporting no educational debt.

Table 11: Education Debt, 2025
Current Level of Education Debt
$0 Less than $100,000 $100,000-$199,999 $200,000-$299,999 $300,000-$399,999 $400,000-$499,999 $500,000 or Greater

Frequency
317 86 136 205 147 75 25

Percent
32.0% 8.7% 13.7% 20.7% 14.8% 7.6% 2.5%

Total

991

100.0%

Table 12: Current Level of Education Debt by Specialty, 2025

Specialty

Mean Debt ($)

Median Debt ($)

Internal Medicine Family Medicine Emergency Medicine Pediatrics General Surgery OB/GYN Psychiatry All Other Specialties

238,517 257,611 247,954 230,316 210,000 209,600 221,849 242,454

208,000 255,000 255,000 232,500 225,000 231,000 201,000 227,000

Overall Average

232,288

229,000

34

Figure 31: Current Level of Education Debt, 2025

350 317

Current Level of Education Debt

300

250
205 200

150

136

147

100
50
0 $0

86

75

25

Less than $100,000 - $200,000 - $300,000 - $400,000 - $500,000 or $100,000 $199,999 $299,999 $399,999 $499,999 Greater

Figure 32: Percent Having no Education Debt, 2021-2025

Percent Having No Education Debt, 2021-2025

35.0%

34.6%

34.0%

33.0% 32.0% 31.0% 30.0% 29.0%

31.2%

29.4%

30.3%

32.0%

28.0%

27.0%

26.0%

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

35

Table 13: Total Scholarship Money Received for Medical School, 2025

Scholarship Money Received for Medical School

Frequency

Percent

$0

746

75.0%

Less than $100,000

163

16.4%

$100,000 - $199,999

53

5.3%

$200,000-$299,999

23

2.3%

$300,000 or Greater

10

1.0%

Total

995

100.0%

Figure 33: Total Scholarship Money Received for Medical School
Scholarship Money Received for Medical School

$300,000 - or Greater 10

Scholarship Money Received

$200,000 - $299,999 23

$100,000 - $199,999

53

Less than $100,000

163

$0

746

0

100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800

36

Expected Gross Income in First Year of Practice

Tables 14 and 15, along with Figure 34, display the expected first-year gross income across specialties, including both mean and median values.

Table 14: Expected Gross Income in First Year of Practice, 2025

Expected Gross Income in
First Year of Practice

Frequency

Less than $100,000

200

$100,000-$199,999

96

$200,000-$299,999

272

$300,000-$399,999

211

$400,000-$499,999

121

$500,000 or Greater

95

Percent
20.1% 9.6% 27.3% 21.2% 12.2% 9.5%

Total

995

100.0%

Table 15: Expected Gross Income in First Year of Practice by Specialty, 2025

Specialty

Mean Income ($) Median Income ($)

Internal Medicine Family Medicine Emergency Medicine Pediatrics General Surgery OB/GYN Psychiatry All Other Specialties

218,604 236,138 250,813 157,341 237,000 209,600 226,723 303,964

207,500 260,000 260,000 170,000 150,000 231,000 253,000 267,500

Overall Average

230,023

242,000

37

Figure 34: Expected Gross Income in First Year of Practice, 2025
Expected Gross Income in First Year of Practice
300 272
250
211 200 200

Frequency

150

100

96

121 95

50

0

Less than $100,000 - $200,000 - $300,000 - $400,000 - $500,000 or

$100,000

$199,999

$299,999

$399,999

$499,999

Greater

Expected Gross Income

38

Practice Information

Table 16: Top 5 intended Primary Activities after Current Year of Training, 2025

Top 5 Intended Primary Activities after Current Year of Training

Frequency

Percent

Patient care/clinical practice

634

65.0%

Additional subspecialty training or fellowship

277

28.4%

Chief Resident

36

3.7%

Undecided

15

1.5%

Teaching/research

13

1.3%

Total

975

100.0%

39

Figure 35: Top 5 Intended Primary Activities After Current Year of Training, 2025

Top 5 Intended Primary Activities after Current Year of Training

Chief Resident 3.7%

Undecided 1.5%

Teaching/research 1.3%

Additional subspecialty
training or fellowship
28.4%

Patient care/clinical
practice 65.0%

40

Table 17: Practice Setting, 2025
Practice Setting
Academic setting Group practice-as employee Hospital-inpatient Hospital-ambulatory care Hospital-emergency room Group practice-as owner/partner Freestanding health center/clinic Military Other Partnership (2 Person) Solo practice Private practice
Total

Frequency
324 167 141 60 51 41 23 13 13
7 7 4
851

Percent
38.1% 19.6% 16.6% 7.1% 6.0% 4.8% 2.7% 1.5% 1.5% 0.8% 0.8% 0.5%
100.0%

41

Table 18: Expect to be at Principal Practice for 4 or More Years by Program, 2025

Expect to be at Principal Practice for 4 or More Years

Program Name

Yes

No

Not Applicable

Frequency Percent Frequency Percent Frequency Percent

Total

AdventHealth Redmond

6

1.1%

2

1.1%

5

1.9%

13

Archbold Medical Center

0

0.0%

2

1.1%

0

0.0%

2

Advocate Health Floyd (Rome)

8

1.5%

0

0.0%

0

0.0%

8

Advocate Health (Macon)

16

2.9%

7

3.8%

10

3.8%

33

AU/UGA Medical Partnership-St. Mary's Healthcare

5

0.9%

6

3.2%

0

0.0%

11

Colquitt Regional Medical Center

2

0.4%

0

0.0%

1

0.4%

3

Emory University School of Medicine

273

49.9%

57

30.8%

100

38.0%

430

Gateway Behavioral Health Community Service Board

5

0.9%

2

1.1%

2

0.8%

9

Hamilton Medical Center

6

1.1%

3

1.6%

5

1.9%

14

Houston Healthcare System

4

0.7%

2

1.1%

1

0.4%

7

Medical College of Georgia

90

16.5%

28

15.1%

42

16.0%

160

Memorial Health University Medical Center

18

3.3%

6

3.2%

11

4.2%

35

Memorial Satilla Waycross

1

0.2%

1

0.5%

0

0.0%

2

Morehouse School of Medicine

20

3.7%

10

5.4%

20

7.6%

50

Northeast Georgia Medical Center

23

4.2%

12

6.5%

20

7.6%

55

Northside Hospital Gwinnett

11

2.0%

10

5.4%

1

0.4%

22

Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital

4

0.7%

2

1.1%

2

0.8%

8

Piedmont Athens Regional

3

0.5%

4

2.2%

4

1.5%

11

Piedmont Columbus Regional Midtown

5

0.9%

4

2.2%

1

0.4%

10

Piedmont Macon Medical Center

7

1.3%

5

2.7%

4

1.5%

16

St. Francis-Emory Healthcare

3

0.5%

3

1.6%

4

1.5%

10

South Georgia Medical Center

4

0.7%

2

1.1%

1

0.4%

7

Wellstar Health System

33

6.0%

17

9.2%

29

11.0%

79

Total

547 100.0% 185 100.0% 263 100.0% 995

42

Practice Location

Table 19 and Figure 36 provide insight into respondents' primary activity locations after graduation, along with a five-year trend in the percentage planning to remain in Georgia.

Table 19: Practice Location, 2025
Location of Primary Activity After Graduation
Year
Georgia

Frequency
504

Percent
50.7%

Other State

481

48.3%

Outside of U.S.

10

1.0%

Total

995

100.0%

43

Figure 36: Percent Staying in Georgia After Graduation, 2021-2025

52.0%

Percent Staying in Georgia After Graduation, 2021-2025

51.0% 50.0%

49.9%

50.7%

49.0% 48.0% 47.0%

47.0%

47.9%

46.0% 45.0%

44.9%

44.0%

43.0%

42.0%

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Practice Area

Table 20 and Figure 37 present an overview of the intended practice areas of respondents after graduation, along with a five-year trend indicating the percentage of respondents planning to engage in practice within a rural setting.

Table 20: Practice Area, 2025
Practice Area
Suburban

Frequency
318

Percent
32.0%

Inner city

281

28.2%

Other area within major city

248

24.9%

Small city (city population less than 50,000)

91

9.1%

Rural (county population less than 50,000)
Total

57
995

5.7%
100.0%

44

Figure 37: Percent Planning Rural Practice, 2021-2025

Percent Planning Rural Practice, 2021-2025

8.0%

7.0%

7.1%

6.8%

6.0%

6.1%

6.0%

5.7%

5.0%

4.0%

3.0%

2.0%

1.0%

0.0%

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

45

Specialty

Table 21 and Figure 38 highlight the total number of graduates completing which specialty, along with the percentage who plan to remain in Georgia.

Table 21: Specialties of Respondents Planning to Stay in Georgia after Completion of their

Program

Total

Number

Percent

Specialty Completing Staying in

Staying in

Specialty Georgia

Georgia

Internal Medicine

246

120

48.8%

Family Medicine

112

72

Emergency Medicine

65

39

Pediatrics

45

26

64.3% 60.0% 57.8%

General Surgery

42

11

26.2%

OB/GYN

29

14

48.3%

Psychiatry

24

10

Primary Care/Core Subtotal

563

292

All Other Specialties

432

212

41.7% 51.9% 49.1%

Total

995

504

100.0%

46

Figure 38: Primary Care/Core Specialties of Respondents Planning to Stay in Georgia after Graduation
Primary Care/Core Specialties of Respondents Planning to Stay in Georgia after Graduation

Psychiatry

10

Surgery

11

OB/GYN

14

Pediatrics

26

Emergency Medicine

39

Family Medicine

72

Internal Medicine

0

20

40

60

80

Note: The above chart shows the specialties of graduates who plan to remain in Georgia after graduation.

120

100

120

140
47

Internal Medicine Graduates Pursuing Fellowship

Tables 22 and 23 provide a detailed breakdown of Internal Medicine graduates, highlighting the percentage of those who are pursuing fellowship training versus those who are not, along with the specific subspecialties that graduates are pursuing in their fellowship training.

Table 22: Internal Medicine Graduate Pursuing Fellowship

Internal Medicine

Frequency

Total Graduates

246

Not Pursuing Fellowship

168

Pursuing Fellowship

78

Percent
100.0% 68.6% 31.8%

Table 23: Fellowship Specialties Pursued by Internal Medicine Graduates

Fellowship Specialties

Frequency

Percent

Cardiovascular Disease

16

Pulmonary Critical Care

14

Hematology and Medical Oncology

10

Hospice and Palliative Medicine

6

Others

6

Infectious Diseases

5

Gastroenterology

5

Geriatric Medicine

4

Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism

3

Nephrology

3

Critical Care Medicine

2

Addiction Medicine

1

Clinical Informatics

1

Radiation Oncology

1

Rheumatology

1

20.5% 17.9% 12.8% 7.7% 7.7% 6.4% 6.4% 5.1% 3.8% 3.8% 2.6% 1.3% 1.3% 1.3% 1.3%

Total

78

100.0%

48

Primary Care/Core Specialty Graduates Going into Sub-Specialties

Table 24 provides an overview of the total number of Primary Care/Core Specialty residents pursuing subspecialty training, highlighting those who plan to stay in Georgia for additional training and those who plan to continue their training out of state.

Table 24: Primary Care/Core Graduates Going into Sub-Specialties

Specialty

Total Going into SubSpecialty

Number Staying
in Georgia

Number Going out of State

Percent Staying
in Georgia

Percent Going out of State

Internal Medicine

78

15

63

19.2% 80.8%

General Surgery

28

6

22

21.4% 78.6%

Emergency Medicine

16

8

8

50.0% 50.0%

Family Medicine

14

4

10

28.6% 71.4%

Pediatrics

12

3

9

25.0% 75.0%

OB/GYN

6

1

5

16.7% 83.3%

Psychiatry
Primary Care/Core Subtotal
All Other Specialties

6

2

4

33.4% 66.7%

160

39

121 24.6% 75.6%

117

42

75

35.9% 64.1%

Total

277

81

196 29.2% 70.8%

Note: Among the 995 respondents, the figures above reflect the specialties of graduates pursuing sub-specialties who plan to remain in Georgia after graduation and those going out of state.

49

Job Search

Table 25: Actively Job Searched, 2025
Actively Job Searched Frequency

No

287

Yes

708

Total

995

Table 26: Job Offers and Acceptance, 2025

Been Offered a Job

Frequency

Yes, and accepted

688

Not been offered

237

Yes, and declined

70

Total

995

Percent
28.8% 71.2%
100.0%
Percent
69.1% 23.8% 7.0%
100.0%

50

Figure 39: Percentage of Respondents Who Considered One or More Job Offers in Georgia, 2021-2025

80.0% 70.0% 60.0%

Percentage of Respondents Who Considered One or More Job Offers in Georgia, 2021-2025

68.9%

71.7%

63.0%

59.1%

57.1%

50.0%

40.0%

30.0%

20.0%

10.0%

0.0%

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Table 27: Influence of State Liability Environment (Tort Reform) on Job Search

Tort Reform Influence

Frequency

Percent

No Influence Minor Influence Moderate Influence Strong Influence

158

15.7%

121

12.2%

655

65.8%

63

6.3%

Total

995

100.0%

51

Figure 40: Influence of State Liability Environment (Tort Reform) on Job Search

70.0%

Tort Reform Influence
65.8%

60.0%

50.0%

40.0%

30.0%

20.0% 10.0%
0.0%

15.7% No Influence

12.2%

6.3%

Minor Influence

Moderate Influence Strong Influence

52

What made an out-of-state job more appealing than one in Georgia? In an open-ended response, participants were asked to specify what aspects of the outof-state job made it more appealing than opportunities available in Georgia. Their submissions were categorized into the following focus points: Better Compensation and Benefits: Approximately 80% of respondents who answered this question cited higher salaries and more comprehensive benefits packages as the primary reasons for accepting out-of-state positions. These financial incentives were consistently highlighted as a key factor in their decision-making. Proximity to Family: Several respondents mentioned relocating out of state to be closer to family members or spouses. For many, personal and familial connections played a significant role in their job selection. J-1 Waiver Sponsorship: Some respondents indicated that they accepted out-of-state offers specifically because those employers provided J-1 waiver sponsorship, which was not readily available for them in Georgia. Limited In-State Opportunities for Their Specialty: Few respondents reported a lack of viable job opportunities in Georgia for their medical specialty. Examples included fields such as pediatric rheumatology, where they felt the local market did not offer sufficient or competitive options.
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Table 28: Job Search Approaches, 2025

Job Search Approaches Frequency

Peer or colleague referral

321

Independent online job search

265

Word of mouth

245

Recruiter contacted me

149

Specialty-specific job boards

73

Note: Respondents could select multiple job search approaches.

Table 29: Difficulty Finding a Job Rating, 2025

Difficulty Finding a Job Rating Frequency

Very easy

170

Somewhat easy

226

Neutral

202

Somewhat difficult

123

Very difficult

28

Total

749

Percent
27.3% 22.6% 20.9% 12.7% 6.2%
Percent
22.7% 30.2% 27.0% 16.4% 3.7%
100.0%

Figure 41: Difficulty Finding a Job Rating, 2025

35.0% 30.0% 25.0%

Difficulty Finding a Job Rating

22.7%

30.2%

27.0%

20.0% 15.0%

16.4%

10.0% 5.0%

3.7%

0.0%

Very easy Somewhat easy

Neutral

Somewhat difficult Very difficult

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Table 30: Specific Difficulties in Finding a Job, 2025

Difficulty in Finding a Job Frequency

Percent

Not a favorable work/life balance

138

28.0%

Other reason

91

18.5%

Would not be satisfied with the job

85

17.2%

Lack of mentoring opportunities

57

11.6%

Practice did not communicate well

44

8.9%

Did not have passion for the practice

38

7.7%

Practice was not collaborative

17

3.4%

Not enough challenge

12

2.4%

Practice did not advocate for patients

11

2.2%

Note: Respondents could select multiple options. The percentages reflect the proportion of respondents who selected each option; 3 respondents mentioned they are going to a fellowship.

Other Reasons for Difficulty in Finding a Job, 2025
In addition to the predefined answer options, respondents were offered an open-ended response choice. Their submissions were subsequently categorized into the following thematic areas:

Location: These preferences include seeking employment in desirable locations or near metropolitan areas.

Visa and Contractual Obligations: Responses in this category include the need to secure employment within Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs), pursuing positions that offer visa sponsorship, and fulfilling military service commitment.

Position-Related Factors: Several respondents highlighted challenges such as employer hesitancy in hiring recent residency graduates. Others cited the requirement for a hospitalist fellowship as a barrier to securing positions within Georgia.

Pay-Related Issues: Some respondents emphasized the need for institutions to enhance salary competitiveness and offer greater scheduling flexibility to attract and retain trainees.

Federal Spending cuts to public health: Some indicated that their federal job offer was rescinded due to the federal hiring freeze. Jobs in Infectious Diseases with an emphasis on research were previously easier to secure before federal funding changes.

Minimal Availability of Jobs: A few number of respondents indicated that job opportunities in Georgia are limited, while others noted that their area of specialization further constrains their career prospects.

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Table 31: Ratings and Perception of Training, Educational Debt Repayment, Practice Opportunities, and Rural Practice, 2025

Question or Statement
In your job search, how strongly did you consider practicing in a rural area (county population less than 50,000)? If all of your medical school debt were forgiven, how likely would you consider a five-year obligation to practice in a rural setting (GA county population less than 50,000)?
What is your level of satisfaction with your salary/compensation?
What is the likelihood you will return to Georgia to practice when your training is complete
What is your overall assessment of practice opportunities in your specialty within 50 miles of the site where you trained?
What is your overall assessment of practice opportunities in your specialty nationally?
Overall, I am satisfied with the training I received.
I would choose to train at the same site again.

Rating Scale
1 = DID NOT CONSIDER 5 = STRONGLY CONSIDERED
1 = VERY UNLIKELY 5 = VERY LIKELY

Number of Responses
786
724

1 = VERY DISSATISFIED 5 = VERY SATISFIED

800

1 = VERY UNLIKELY 5 = VERY LIKELY

416

995 1 = VERY FEW JOBS
5 = MANY JOBS 995

995 1 = STRONGLY DISAGREE
5 = STRONGLY AGREE 995

Average
2.3 3.2 3.9 3.2 3.1 3.8 4.3 4.1

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Figure 42: Ratings and Perception of Training, Educational Debt Repayment, Practice Opportunities, and Rural Practice, 2025
Rating and Perception of Training, Educational Debt Repayment, Practice Oportunities, and Rural Practice, 2025
5

4.5

4

3.5

3

2.5

4.3 2

4.1

3.9

3.8

1.5

3.2

3.2

3.1

2.3 1

0.5

0

Overall satisfaction Would choose to Level of satisfaction Overall assessment Likelihood of return Would consider a Overall assessment

Strength of

with the training train at the same site

with

of practice

to Georgia to five-year obligation to of practice

considering

received

again

salary/compensation opportunities in your practice when

practice in a rural opportunities in your practicing in a rural

specialty nationally training is complete setting if all medical specialty within 50

area

debt are forgiven miles of the site

where you trained

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Table 32: Top 3 Reasons for Leaving Georgia, 2025

Top 3 Reasons for Leaving Georgia Frequency Percent

Proximity to family

234

20.9%

Fellowship or additional medical training

221

19.7%

Better jobs in desired location outside Georgia
Better jobs in desired practice setting outside Georgia
Better salary offered outside Georgia

130

11.6%

98

8.7%

93

8.3%

Better job for spouse/partner outside Georgia

93

8.3%

Never intended to practice in Georgia
Overall lack of jobs/practice opportunities in Georgia
Other reasons

70

6.2%

60

5.3%

53

4.7%

Other service obligation
Better jobs outside Georgia that meet visa requirements
Cost of malpractice insurance in Georgia

38

3.4%

19

1.7%

11

1.0%

Cost of starting a practice

2

0.2%

Note: Respondents could select multiple reasons for leaving Georgia. The percentage shown is the percentage of respondents selecting that option.

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Figure 43: Top 3 Reasons for Leaving Georgia, 2025
Top 3 Reasons for Leaving Georgia

Proximity to family

Fellowship or additional medical training

Better jobs in desired location outside Georgia

11.6%

Better jobs in desired practice setting outside Georgia

8.7%

Better salary offered outside Georgia

8.3%

Better job for spouse/partner outside Georgia

8.3%

Never intended to practice in Georgia

6.2%

Overall lack of jobs/practice opportunities in Georgia

5.3%

Other reasons

4.7%

Other service obligation

3.4%

Better jobs outside Georgia that meet visa requirements

1.7%

Cost of malpractice insurance in Georgia

1.0%

Cost of starting a practice 0.2% 0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.9% 19.7%

20.0%

25.0%

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Figure 44: Top 3 Reasons for Leaving Georgia by Gender, 2025
Top 3 Reasons for Leaving Georgia by Gender

Proximity to family

Fellowship or additional medical training

Better jobs in desired location outside Georgia Better jobs in desired practice setting outside Georgia
Better salary offered outside Georgia Better job for spouse/partner outside Georgia
Never intended to practice in Georgia Overall lack of jobs/practice opportunities in Georgia
Other reasons Other service obligation Better jobs outside Georgia that meet visa requirements Cost of malpractice insurance in Georgia Cost of starting a practice

2.4%
1.6% 1.8%
1.0% 0.9%
0.3% 0.0%

12.3% 10.8%

9.4% 8.1%

7.6% 9.0%

6.4%

10.3%

6.4% 6.0%

5.0% 5.7%

4.9% 4.6%

4.3%

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

Male Female

19.4%

22.3%

18.1%

21.2%

20.0%

25.0%

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Other Reasons for Leaving Georgia, 2025
Beyond the previously listed factors influencing decisions to leave Georgia after the current training year, several respondents shared further insights through open-ended responses. These have been thoughtfully categorized into the following themes: Fellowship-Related Insights: Several respondents indicated plans to relocate to other states to pursue fellowship training following their match results. A small number also expressed an intention to return to Georgia upon completing their full training. Family: family-related motivations for leaving Georgia, including relocating to support a spouse's career or medical training. Political and policy related: Respondents cited concerns about Georgia's current political environment, particularly issues related to abortion access, firearm regulations, and broader legislative measures such as Medicaid expansion, income tax burdens. These factors were highlighted as influential in their decision-making regarding relocation. Change of Environment: Several respondents expressed a desire to experience living in a different state, citing the need for a change of scenery or lifestyle. Despite these exploratory moves, many suggested that Georgia remains a likely destination for their long-term return, signaling a continued connection to the state. Military Service Commitments: Some respondents reported that their relocation decisions were influenced by active-duty or service obligations, either for themselves or their spouses. Job-Related Considerations: Some respondents noted that the pursuit of stronger employment prospects drove their decision to leave Georgia. Environmental Considerations: A small number of respondents cited Georgia's unfavorable weather conditions as a contributing reason for their relocation decisions.
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Map 2: Location of Primary Activity after Current Year of Training, 2025
Location of Primary Activity after Current Year of Training, 2025

WA 10

OR

4

ID

MT 1
WY

NV

UT

CA

1

CO

33

7

AZ

8

NM

1

AK 2

ND 1
SD
NE 2
KS 4
OK
TX 41

MN 2 WI 8
IA 2
IL 20
MO 8
AR 3
MS 5 LA 5

ME

VT 1

NY

MI

27

15

IN 5
KY 6 TN 28
AL 11

PA 24 OH 13 WV 1 VA 21
NC 32
SC 26
GA 504

FL 53

Range
0 1-5 6-30 31-55 504

Number in States 6 22
18
4 1

Powered by Bing GeoNames, Microsoft, TomTom
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Additional Feedback on the 2025 GME Exit Survey Respondents had the option to give open-ended feedback on the exit survey. This year, the responses fell into the following broad categories. Examples of responses for each category are also given below. Figure 45 displays the relative size of categories present in the data. 109 total respondents provided data on this question.
Positive residency experience: Respondents mention their growth as physicians, competencies, readiness for the job, enjoying the wide variety of patients; love for the training and program; excellent quality of supervising physicians and mentorship; the dedication of faculty; programs improving the quality of life for trainees; and willingness to recommend their program to others.
Lack of opportunities: This category references lack of debt repayment options, specialty training and mentorship, and support or funding. Examples include federal cuts to public health, reproductive care, and patient-centered policies; the NRMPmatched program not providing the support to get into a desired fellowship and lack of choices stemming from that; few research and fellowship options in the desired specialty in Georgia; lack of practice locations meeting the medical facility needs to practice in their specialty; lack of other physicians in the specialty in Georgia, leading to a lower variety of practice settings; lack of support from program leadership; lack of mentorship for physicians to enter private practice; and Georgia does not offer fair pay for subspecialists.
Poor leadership, negative work environment, and job dissatisfaction: Respondents mention that programs need to focus on burnout prevention as essential to patient care; lack of childcare and too many night rotations; suggestion that ACGME should hire program directors that are passionate about patient care and teaching and who are native to Georgia; corporate interest in accepting patients at the expense of resident wellbeing; faculty job dissatisfaction affecting residents; high turnover; negative interprofessional culture within the health system; and burnout affecting the respondent's ability to work.
Other feedback: Smaller categories also appeared in the open-ended feedback. These include: Georgia's policy environment affecting the respondent's willingness to practice in the state, especially as it relates to women's and reproductive healthcare; a decline in the quality of education at a program; a suggestion that Georgia should allow a hybrid practice covering both high volume and rural areas, as it is difficult to commit to rural practice; difficulty in finding an academic job; the distaste for being a corporate employee rather than a private group with governance over one's practice; concern over malpractice insurance and tort reform not being able to create a physician-friendly political environment; and lack of social support due to Medicaid policy negatively impacting patient outcomes.
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Figure 45: Additional Feedback on the 2025 GME Exit Survey
Additional Feedback

Positive residency experience

37%

Other feedback

19%

Lack of opportunities

8%

Poor leadership/negative environment/job dissatisfaction

7%

Lack of support/funding

7%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%

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Acknowledgments
This report was produced under the direction of Chet Bhasin FACHE, Executive Director; Leanna Greenwood, MA, PhD, Data Team Manager; Augustine Agbontaen, MSIT, Data Analyst; Briana Harris, Data Analyst; LePrissa Moore, MSIT, Researcher; and G.E. Alan Dever, MD PhD, Consultant. This document is provided to the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce members on behalf of Executive Director Chet Bhasin. The Board would like to thank Georgia's Graduate Medical Education programs for their assistance with this survey.
Thank you to the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce Board Members for their leadership and support.
Board Members
William R. "Will" Kemp - Chair Lily Jung Henson, M.D.- Vice Chair Steven Gautney, MSHA. - Secretary/Treasurer James Barber, M.D. Garrett Bennett, M.D. Cecil Bennett, M.D. William Fricks, M.D. Carolyn Clevenger, DNP 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 2025 Graduate Medical Education Exit Survey report can be downloaded at healthcareworkforce.georgia.gov. GBHCW welcomes comments and suggestions for future editions of this report. Please send comments to leanna.greenwood@dch.ga.gov.
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