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AUGUSTA, Ga. () – Dr. David Hess, the esteemed dean of the Medical College of Georgia, presented his annual State of the College Address on Friday afternoon, shedding light on the institution’s recent advancements and future goals.
This year’s address prominently focused on the integration of artificial intelligence in healthcare. Dr. Hess emphasized the importance of leveraging AI technology to enhance medical services while also addressing the need to recruit more doctors and physicians throughout Georgia.
Dr. Hess also noted the significant progress being made in medical facilities across the state, with expectations for continued expansion over the next three to five years.
Augusta University has distinguished itself as a leader in research, ranking among the top organizations in terms of funding from the American Heart Association. Currently, the university manages 50 grants, amounting to nearly $16 million.
Additionally, Dr. Hess discussed the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in improving healthcare outcomes, underscoring the institution’s commitment to innovation and excellence.
“One of the things that really irritates patients is when they go to a doctor’s office and he’s typing on a computer. He doesn’t even look at them. With A-I, that should no longer be necessary,” said Hess.
Leaders say A-I will not only lead to reduced workload for physicians, but will help with another long term goal to provide more resources to rural healthcare facilities statewide.
“Through digital medicine, we can help them serve their patients while they’re at their facilities. Then, the more serious patients will come here, and it just provides better healthcare in a more efficient and effective way,” said Dr. Russell Keen, president of Augusta University.
One of those facilities is the Wellstar Medical Center in Grovetown that will open later this summer—where digital medicine is part of the project.
“In your room, there will be a huge monitor that has your vitals. It will have cameras that will allow doctors to have telemedicine in the room to monitor the patient and have a conversation with them. It’s a great program to help take care of patients when doctors can’t get access quickly,” said Dr. Ralph Turner, president of Wellstar MCG Health.
The dean says they will also continue to work bringing more healthcare workers to the state, as Georgia ranks 39th in the nation for doctors, and 40th for the number of residents in medical school.
Hess says it comes down to developing more slots for students, and focusing on scholarship programs to keep residents in the Peach State.
“We have to expand our class, have more medical schools, and we have to have more residencies, because after you go through medical school you have to do a residency. Georgia does not have a lot of residency slots. So, because of that, a lot of people leave the state and go to other states,” Hess said.
During his address, Hess also revealed plans from MCG to build a new 5-story translational research building on Laney Walker Boulevard.
“We desperately need it, because we don’t have enough laboratory space. We’ve done a lot of recruiting, and our faculty are very successful—but they used up all of our space. So, we need that lab space to work with animals to discover new pathways and new drugs,” he added.
He says construction is set to start next year, with an anticipated opening date in early to mid-2029.