Augusta University – Medical College of Georgia
Expanding Medical Education to Strengthen Georgia’s Healthcare Workforce
The Challenge
Augusta University’s Medical College of Georgia (MCG), the state’s only public medical school, sought to expand medical education and address primary care workforce shortages across Georgia. With growing demand for healthcare providers—particularly in rural and underserved regions—MCG needed a data-driven strategy to evaluate statewide capacity, determine sustainable enrollment targets, and project the economic and community benefits of expansion.
How We Helped
Tripp Umbach partnered with MCG to conduct a comprehensive update to its original 2008 statewide study, incorporating 10-year data trends and new projections through 2028. The assessment included a statewide primary care workforce analysis, economic modeling, and evaluation of regional opportunities for growth. Tripp Umbach also analyzed the potential of an Accelerated Primary Care Career (APCC) 3+3 track, designed to fast-track medical education and strengthen the pipeline of physicians entering primary care and residency programs throughout Georgia.
The Impact
Tripp Umbach’s findings informed a detailed strategic roadmap, approved by the Georgia Board of Regents, outlining a phased expansion of MCG’s educational footprint. The plan included the development of a four-year regional campus in Athens in partnership with the University of Georgia, as well as new and expanded clinical campuses statewide. The analysis confirmed that MCG could sustainably increase enrollment to 300 students per class—solidifying its role as Georgia’s largest medical school and a cornerstone for improving access to care across the state.