Dear Medical College of Georgia friends,

Wellstar Columbia County Medical Center ribbon cutting is the culmination of years of planning

Earlier this week, I had the privilege of joining Governor Brian Kemp, University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue, AU President Russell Keen, Wellstar leadership, including CEO Ketul Patel, local and state officials, and many others to celebrate the opening of the new Wellstar Columbia County Medical Center. It was a special day, not only because of what this hospital will mean for our region, but because of how many years it took to get here. The current project has been nearly a decade in the making, but the conversation here about the need to bring a hospital to Columbia County began more than 20 years ago. This is a milestone many people in our community have been working toward for a very long time. That’s because this is bigger than just Columbia County. As Governor Kemp so rightly noted during the ceremony, the impact of this hospital will extend far beyond county borders. It will serve patients and families throughout east Georgia, including neighboring rural communities that often face greater challenges in accessing care.

This new hospital has a mission that is bigger than just one county

With advanced technology, a Level II Trauma Center, state-of-the-art operating rooms and diagnostic services, and 100 inpatient beds, this facility brings high-quality healthcare closer to home for thousands of people. It will also create new opportunities for our students and residents to learn and train in a modern clinical environment, with access to the latest and greatest in medical technology.

But what stood out to me most during the ribbon cutting was the number of people and organizations whose vision and persistence made this day possible. From Governor Kemp, the Georgia General Assembly, Chancellor Perdue, and the University System of Georgia, and Augusta University Leadership to Wellstar and the leaders and elected officials in Columbia County, this medical center finally opening reflects what can happen when partners come together around a shared commitment to improving the health and well-being of our communities. The doors will officially open to the public on Aug. 26, but the real impact of this hospital will be measured by the difference it makes in the lives of patients for many years to come.

Our newest Peach State Scholars, our largest cohort ever, were pinned today

This week has had a common thread of investing in the future. Another example of how we do that so well here came today as we celebrated our annual Peach State Scholars Pinning Ceremony. This year, we welcomed our largest cohort ever of these scholars; students who have committed to an accelerated pathway through medical school – completing their undergraduate medical education in three years before entering primary care residency training in Georgia with a promise to practice in underserved communities.

You may recall that earlier this year we celebrated the first five physicians to complete the entire Peach State Scholars pathway. What began as an innovative idea to address Georgia’s primary care workforce needs is now producing physicians who are caring for patients in communities across our state. Today, we recognized the next generation of scholars who are following that same path. They come from every corner of Georgia, and each brings unique life experiences and personal motivations to pursue medicine. But what is common among them is a commitment to caring for those who need it most.

Students from the Classes of 2028 and 2029 have committed to training in Georgia and practicing in underserved areas

This year’s scholars from the Class of 2028 are:

• Anna Scott Brown of Claxton was inspired to pursue internal medicine after growing up in a medically underserved community and witnessing firsthand the difference that access to care can make. She will continue her training through the Internal Medicine Residency Program in Savannah.
• Ryan Brownlee, a native of Flowery Branch, plans to pursue internal medicine and hopes to extend his impact beyond patient care through medical education, mentorship, and clinical research. He will train at Wellstar Kennestone (Home of our Atlanta Campus).
• Thien Duy Chen, a student at MCG’s Savannah campus, was born and raised in Savannah to Vietnamese parents. Drawn to family medicine by a desire to serve the community that shaped him, he will remain in Savannah for residency training.
• Heidi Hicks of Acworth plans to pursue internal medicine and is passionate about empowering patients through education and shared decision-making. She, too, will continue her training in Savannah.
• Dakota Vern Phillips, an aspiring internist, is originally from Las Vegas but has called Georgia home since attending the University of Georgia. His experience at MCG Savannah has reinforced his appreciation for the strength of a close-knit medical community, and he will remain in Savannah to complete his residency training.

Students will train at MCG-affiliated residency programs across Georgia

From the Class of 2029 (and completing residency at Wellstar MCG Health) are:

• Peace Abhieyighan, originally from Loganville and a graduate of Rhodes College, plans to pursue emergency medicine. Her commitment to serving underserved populations was strengthened during a gap year working in a pediatric clinic in Walton County that cared for patients from several surrounding communities.
• Tagwa Ali of Grovetown plans to become an internist. Though born in New York, she spent much of her life in Dublin, Georgia, where growing up in a medically underserved community shaped her desire to pursue medicine.
• Joyabhishek “Joy” Charles, who was raised in Americus, plans to pursue pediatrics. His experiences as an EMT, researcher, and anatomy and pathology teaching assistant reinforced his passion for caring for children and families.
• Jeremiah Clemmons of Martinez is pursuing emergency medicine. Before entering medical school, he spent a decade as a firefighter and EMT and later earned a nursing degree from Augusta University, experiences that deepened his commitment to caring for underserved communities.
• Esther Kim of Sugar Hill plans to become a pediatrician. Through leadership roles with the Backpack Project of Athens and TEDxUGA, she developed a passion for advocacy and service, particularly for those whose voices are often unheard.
• Taryn Lykes of Ludowici is pursuing obstetrics and gynecology. Growing up in a rural community gave her firsthand insight into the challenges families face when access to healthcare is limited by geography, transportation, and financial barriers.
• Anna-Racquel Perez of Alpharetta plans to pursue pediatrics. A Georgia Tech graduate, she volunteered extensively at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and has served as a medical interpreter, helping bridge language barriers for Spanish-speaking patients and families.
• Fernando Vale-Enriquez of Tampa, Florida, is pursuing emergency medicine. Before beginning medical school, he served for seven years in the U.S. Marine Corps, bringing a longstanding commitment to service into his career in medicine.
• Alexander “Xander” Yeager of Grantville is also pursuing emergency medicine. After a life-changing injury ended his path toward becoming a Navy SEAL, he spent three years working in his rural hometown’s emergency department, an experience that inspired him to become a physician.

From the Class of 2029 training in Southwest Georgia

• Chaston Weaver of Augusta plans to pursue emergency medicine. After six years as a respiratory therapist, including time spent caring for patients in rural Burke County, he became passionate about improving healthcare access in underserved communities.

Augusta-based students received their first stethoscopes this week

We talked extensively last week about our Stethoscope Program, which provides every first-year MCG student with their first official stethoscope through the generosity of donors, alumni and friends who are invested in their success. I had the opportunity to join our Savannah campus students two weeks ago for their ceremony and was glad to do the same yesterday with our Augusta class.

Several dedicated supporters of both the program and our medical school were there, including Dr. Mark Ellison, a 1982 graduate who traveled from Athens and continues his family’s longstanding tradition of supporting MCG. We were also joined by Alumni Association President Dr. Vanessa Spearman-McCarthy, a 2005 graduate and current Alumni Association President, who is not only a valued member of our faculty but also part of an MCG legacy family. It was especially meaningful to see Jerry Woods, husband of the late Dr. Debra Bates, a 1976 graduate, former faculty member and famed class reunion planner, who passed unexpectedly just two months ago. Also joining us were several of our faculty, who are also alums and donors to the program, including Dr. Kelli Braun, ’04; Dr. Shilpa Brown, ’94; Drs. Phillip, ’96, and Lynne Coule, ’92; and Dr. Jennifer Tucker, ‘97.

One of the best parts of this tradition is seeing the excitement on our students’ faces as they receive these gifts from those who once figuratively sat where they are today. It is also a tangible reminder of the people that make MCG such a special place. I would be remiss here if I also didn’t recognize the MCG Foundation and our Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement team, whose work behind the scenes makes this program and these annual events possible. Thank you all for your investment in our students.

Dr. Dixon Freeman, assistant dean at our Northwest Campus, is a man of many talents

I am consistently amazed by what our incredible faculty do inside the classroom – pouring into the next generation. Just as often, however, I am reminded of the many ways they contribute beyond the walls of MCG. Take for example, Dr. Dixon Freeman, assistant dean for curriculum at our Northwest Campus. I knew already that he was a championship curler, but I learned this week that he is a man of many talents.

Last weekend he participated in the Rome Celebrity Dance Challenge All-Stars Edition and was awarded Runner Up for Judges Choice. This great event wasn’t just for fun; it was for a great cause. The celebrity dancers helped raise over $200,000 for the Sexual Assault Center of Northwest Georgia. And true to his commitment to serving others, he also got our students involved in the event. Seven of them volunteered as ushers: Mi-tien “Naomi” Lee, Rheanna McKenzie, Lauren Magnon, Makenna Otten, Gabi Allen, Abby Cornell and Catarina Cutter.

Thank you all for reminding us of the importance and impact of giving back to our communities.

My best to you all,

David C. Hess, MD

Dean, Medical College of Georgia

Upcoming Events

August 10 – President’s Fall Kick Off 2026, 2 p.m., Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre
August 28 (New Date) – MCG Faculty Senate Meeting, noon, Natalie and Lansing B. Lee Jr. Auditorium
September 18 – MCG Faculty Senate Meeting, noon, Natalie and Lansing B. Lee Jr. Auditorium
October 16 – MCG Faculty Senate Meeting, noon, Natalie and Lansing B. Lee Jr. Auditorium
October 24 – MCG White Coat Ceremony, 2 p.m., Bell Auditorium