News Summary
St. Joseph’s/Candler is set to launch a physician residency program in southeast Georgia in 2027, aided by a $10 million state grant. The program aims to alleviate the doctor shortage by providing training in Internal and Family Medicine with an initial capacity of 48 residents. This initiative is expected to enhance healthcare access for the underserved population and is supported by local leaders and collaborations with educational institutions. The program is anticipated to receive accreditation from ACGME, with the first cohort starting in July 2027.
Savannah, Georgia – St. Joseph’s/Candler announced plans to launch a new physician residency program in 2027 to combat the severe doctor shortage affecting southeast Georgia. This initiative is part of a broader effort to improve healthcare access in underserved areas within the region.
The residency program will receive a substantial boost from a $10 million state grant awarded by the state of Georgia. This funding will assist in covering initial startup costs associated with the program. Initially, the residency will offer two primary care tracks: Internal Medicine and Family Medicine, beginning with a capacity of 48 residency slots. Over time, this capacity is expected to increase to 60 residents as additional specialties, including a cardiology fellowship, are introduced.
St. Joseph’s/Candler, the largest health system in southeast Georgia, emphasizes that this new residency program represents a significant milestone in addressing the healthcare needs of the state. The initiative aims to retain physicians in Georgia, thereby increasing patient access to care and effectively tackling the ongoing doctor shortage.
Local leaders have lent their support to this program, emphasizing its role in improving healthcare access and developing a more robust healthcare workforce in the region. Georgia’s House Speaker specifically highlighted its importance in bolstering healthcare services for residents.
The program is expected to gain accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), with the first cohort of residents planned to begin their training on July 1, 2027. Residents will benefit from supervised clinical training, contemporary technology, and exposure to a wide range of patient cases.
St. Joseph’s/Candler has appointed Dr. John Cinicola as the program director. Dr. Cinicola has extensive experience, having previously served as the Medical Director for Internal Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. His leadership is anticipated to enhance residents’ educational experiences and training outcomes.
This new residency program is further supported by collaborations with the Medical College of Georgia, which launched a four-year medical school in 2024 and has proposed a new dental school at Georgia Southern University’s Armstrong campus. These efforts aim to align educational initiatives with the existing workforce needs in healthcare within the state.
Georgia currently ranks 40th in the nation for the number of medical residents per capita, underscoring a pressing need for expanded graduate medical education opportunities. Approximately 3.3 million Georgians are living in areas identified as primary care shortage zones, emphasizing the urgent requirement for an increase in primary care physicians across the state.
St. Joseph’s/Candler has a rich history of supporting medical education, having hosted clinical rotations for third- and fourth-year medical students from the Medical College of Georgia. The health system has also prioritized expanding healthcare access in recent years by establishing medical campuses across various counties, aiming to better serve an increasing patient population efficiently.
As Georgia’s population continues to grow and age, the new residency program at St. Joseph’s/Candler is poised to equip local healthcare systems with qualified healthcare providers. This initiative is a crucial step in addressing the rising demand for healthcare services, particularly in underserved regions.
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Additional Resources
- Grice Connect: St. Joseph’s/Candler to Launch Medical Residency Program in 2027
- Wikipedia: Healthcare in Georgia (U.S.)
- Savannah Now: St. Joseph’s/Candler Announces New Medical Residency Program
- Google Search: Doctor Shortage in Georgia
- WSAV: St. Joseph’s/Candler to Launch Medical Residency in 2027
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Medical Residency
- MSN: Fixing Georgia’s Doctor Shortage
Author: STAFF HERE SAVANNAH WRITER
SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER The SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESavannah.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Savannah, Chatham County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Savannah Music Festival, St. Patrick's Day Parade, and Savannah Jazz Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Coastal Empire, plus leading businesses in aerospace, education, and logistics that power the local economy such as Gulfstream Aerospace, Savannah College of Art and Design, and Colonial Group. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HEREAugusta.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
