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. 53 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 54 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. 55 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 56 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 57 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. 58 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% 59 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% 60 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. 61 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 62 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. 63 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% 64 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. 65