July 27, 2012

Five local hospitals are joining forces to recruit primary care physicians in Southwest Georgia.

At a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, representatives from Colquitt Regional Medical Center, Archbold Memorial Hospital, Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, South Georgia Medical Center and Tift Regional Medical Center came out to celebrate the partnership at their new headquarters located in Moultrie.

The goal of the the Consortium is to develop and expand medical education programs in South Georgia.

"Statistics show physicians who go through medical training and then go into residencies, usually stay within a 70 mile radius, so having those residency opportunities here, will help a bunch with physician recruitment and physician retention," said Perry Mustian, CEO of
Archbold Memorial Hospital.

The Consortium will begin the accreditation process this fall. They hope to then add up to 150 new residents in the area.