UGA med school’s inaugural class visits Dublin VA to learn about rural healthcare

The inaugural class of the University of Georgia’s School of Medicine was in town Wednesday and Thursday to observe healthcare systems in rural areas, and to see what towns like Dublin can provide.

UGA’s medical school was accredited last spring. The school received 2,000 applications before officials interviewed 235 and selected its first class of 64 students. They began orientation last Monday which included a tour to hospitals and higher education institutions in Dublin, Macon, Warner Robins, Sandersville and Thomaston.  

“The whole purpose is to introduce them to what healthcare looks like outside of the metro area,” said Valerie Dixon, UGA Archway Professional for the Dublin-Laurens County Archway Partnership. “Most of these students are not from rural communities. This is exposing them to opportunities to practice medicine where they are really needed in this part of the state.” 

The students began their time in Dublin at Crooked Finger Brewery for lunch before boarding two buses to travel to the VA. 

VA Center for Development and Civic Engagement Chief Keith Griffin shook hands as students walked off the first bus at the front of the hospital. They and other UGA officials walked into the auditorium and were greeted by VA Medical Center Director Chandra Miller and Frank Jordan, director of communications and public relations.

“I am so happy to have them here,” Miller said. “It was a privilege to host University of Georgia’s inaugural medical class. This is quite a milestone not only for your institution but for the future of healthcare in Georgia. They joined us as partners in a tradition of service, learning and innovation. At the VA, we believe caring for American veterans is a honor and responsibility. It is also a responsibility that we share with our academic affiliates.”

Partnerships with universities like UGA are vital, she said. They bring energy and commitment to excellence that strengthens the VA. Miller told the class that relationships matter.

“The care we provide to veterans is enriched by the experience, curiosity and compassion from learners like them,” she said. “Our commitment to partnership means an opportunity for growth for the students, our staff and the veterans we serve.”

Miller encouraged the students to ask questions, seek out mentors and remember that every patient’s story, especially veterans, is a lesson. She urged them to listen to each person’s story.

“You’ll learn so much from that,” Miller said. “Our doors are open to you. Not just as visitors but as future colleagues and leaders. I cannot emphasize that point enough. The VA is a great place to make a career. We hope you will consider joining our VA team one day. We look forward to supporting your journey, learning and working together to help those who have served our nation.” 

After a question and answer session, the students were divided into group as VA leaders led them in a tour of the facility. Brooke Borton, who is from Greenville, N.C., moved to Georgia almost four years ago. Borton did her undergrad at Notre Dame where she enjoyed her time and wanted to experience that again in med school.

“I think UGA school of medicine is that perfect combination and everyone here is extremely dedicated, smart and hardworking,” Borton said. “I think we’ll get close really fast. We’re from all over Georgia so I am really excited to get to know everyone and really excited to be part of this school.”

Borton had never been to Dublin before Wednesday. During their lunch, several people mentioned how they recalled Dublin as a place to stop on their way to the beach.

“They have said Dublin is the halfway stop between Atlanta and the beach,” she said. “That’s what most people know Dublin from. Coming here kind of reminds me of my hometown. Everyone seems to know each other and I really like that. Having an amazing sense of community where there is church and school is really important to me and I feel that sense of community here in Dublin.” 

She likes the fact that Dublin did not have a lot of issues when it came to traveling around town.

“I hate traffic,” Borton said. 

A bigger understanding of rural medicine was what Borton hopes to get out of the tour. She has enjoyed meeting community leaders.

“We have seen where the shortages are and what specialist and services they need,” Borton said. “One of the hospitals went into what their needs were and I get to see where those are throughout the state.” 

After the tour of the VA, the students traveled to Theatre Dublin where they met and heard from city leaders. 

“They are visitors and we want to make a big impression on them,” said Miriam Lewis, executive director of Visit Dublin GA. “We want to show off the beauty of our town, the friendliest of our town and the hospitality because this is potential workforce that could come back later on and start their careers and raise their families here.”

That is why it was important to showcase the city’s history, restaurants and shops. After leaving the theater, the students were scheduled to walk around the downtown area before stopping at Saltwater Fishery 

“We pointed out some destinations so that when they were downtown on their own, they can look at some of the features of the town,” Lewis said. “You never know that one in this group of 60 may like their tour of Dublin and decide to move here. That is one person or family who decides to come back here.” 

The students had the chance to tour Fairview Park Hospital Thursday.

“We want them to see that Dublin is such a healthcare-hub for this area,” Dixon said. “They’ll get an overview of everything that is offered in Dublin and really see what the quality of life is like here. We want them to imagine raising a family here where your commute is 10 minutes from work. There is such a great quality of life here. There are counties south of us that don’t have a doctor in the whole county. There is such a need from Macon, Warner Robins and south. That is the whole idea of UGA creating their own medical school. They want to encourage the students to serve the state. Ninety-five percent of these kids are from Georgia. Studies show that when they do their medical school residency in Georgia, they are so much more likely to stay in Georgia. We hope we are showing them a good time. This is such a great place to live and that’s what we’re hoping to expose them to while they are here.”