History of PCOM South Georgia | Established 2019 in Moultrie, GA
Skip to main content

History 
PCOM South Georgia

PCOM South Georgia was founded in 2019 to help grow medical education in Southwest Georgia and meet the long-term health care needs of the region.

According to Georgia Board for Physician Workforce statistics, the Southwest Georgia region has a critical need for physicians. The vision is for PCOM South Georgia to become a regional health professions education center. Studies show that physicians educated and trained in a region are likely to remain in the area to practice medicine.

“Without the support of our local communities and regional partners, our expansion into South Georgia would've been difficult, maybe even impossible, but because of our shared vision for the Southwest Georgia region, we're able to truly address the need for healthcare professionals in rural areas.”

Jay Feldstein, DO ’81, PCOM President and CEO

Read More

Jay Feldstein, DO ’81, PCOM President and CEO portrait
Agreement and Planning

Representatives from South Georgia Medical Education and Research Consortium, a partnership of five independent healthcare systems in South Georgia, and PCOM signed a memorandum of agreement on October 31, 2016, to develop a feasibility plan to establish an additional location in South Georgia.

The College selected Moultrie, Georgia for its new campus based on its central access to the region's health and education centers, ample clerkship opportunities for medical students, affordable housing and convenience to services and facilities.

Initial Approval

On December 5, 2017, PCOM received initial approval from its accrediting agency—the American Osteopathic Association’s (AOA) Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA)—to move forward with the development of PCOM South Georgia.

Construction

On April 26, 2018, a groundbreaking ceremony was held on the 31-acre site of the new facility. Construction began in May 2018. The 75,000-square-foot facility—featuring expansive classrooms and study spaces, modern OMM and anatomy labs, a simulation center, numerous exam and practice rooms, as well as a café, lounges and information commons—was completed in the summer of 2019.

PCOM South Georgia Opening

On June 25, 2019, evaluators from COCA visited PCOM's new location. The College was notified on July 12 that all accreditation requirements had been met to begin operations.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the building was held on August 6, 2019. PCOM South Georgia welcomed its inaugural class of doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) students on August 12.

PCOM South Georgia’s inaugural leadership team consisted of four members. H. William Craver III, DO, FACOS, assumed the position of vice provost with academic responsibility for PCOM Georgia and PCOM South Georgia. Michael J. Sampson, DO, FAOASM, was appointed senior associate dean and chief academic officer for PCOM South Georgia. Joanne Jones, MBA assumed the role of campus officer. Marla D. Golden, DO, FACEP, was named chair of clinical education.

Program Expansion

PCOM South Georgia added a two-year Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences program in the fall of 2020. Students in the program complete a foundational year before choosing a second year track. The initial track options offered at PCOM South Georgia included medical simulation, research and general studies. An accelerated master's program option (MS in Biomedical Sciences - Preclinical Studies) was added in 2021.

Colquitt Regional Medical leaders, Gwinnett County government officials and PCOM president Jay Feldstein, DO, sign an agreement at a table.
A memorandum of agreement was signed in October 2016.
Gov. Kemp, local officials and PCOM leadership members use shovels during PCOM South Georgia's groundbreaking ceremony.
Groundbreaking in Moultrie, GA took place in April 2018.
Aerial view of ground being leveled by equipment at PCOM South Georgia construction site.
Construction began in May 2018.
Contractors and equipment pour concrete at the PCOM South Georgia construction site.
Concrete is poured in September 2018.
Support beams and other structure are erected on PCOM South Georgia's construction site.
Support beams are erected in November 2018.
Walls and roof material are seen being constructed from an aerial view of PCOM South Georgia's site.
Construction continues in January 2019.
Aerial view shows stone walls, workers and equipment at PCOM South Georgia's construction site.
Construction continues in March 2019.
Front view of windows, facade and landscaping at PCOM South Georgia's facility.
Construction is completed in July 2019.
Gov. Kemp, PCOM South Georgia executive leaders and first year medical students smile and cut the ribbon in front of PCOM South Georgia.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in August 2019.
X