Phoebe breaks ground for new medical student housing complex

ALBANY — Officials with the Phoebe Foundation broke ground Tuesday morning on the new Southwest Georgia Medical Student Housing Complex located at 225 West Fourth Avenue.

The ceremony was presided over by Phoebe Putney Health System CEO Joel Wernick.

“I think what makes us unique as Americans is the combination of volunteerism and altruism, and perhaps at no better time have you seen it come together than right here today,” Wernick told the crowd, that included a number of state and area dignitaries.

The Southwest Georgia Medical Student Housing Complex has been part of the long-term vision of the Phoebe Foundation to foster students who may one day serve the growing health care needs of the community. The housing complex will give students a convenient , safe,and affordable place to live while they complete training away from their respective universities.

“It’s a beautiful day, and our effort to continue to populate Southwest Georgia with highly qualified and well-trained physicians has had a lot of invisible hands in it. I think it is always important in this country to take a moment to reflect,” said Wernick before asking Chaplain Jim Purks to bless the ceremony.

According to Phoebe Foundation officials, students and residents who train in Southwest Georgia often choose to later live, work and raise their families here. The positive experiences they have while training play a major role in why they come back.

“That’s what we are aiming for, recruitment of the top residents and students in Georgia,” said Larry Hockman, chairman of the Phoebe Foundation Board of Directors. “Research says that 70 percent of graduates will practice within 100 miles of where they complete their training.”

The Phoebe Foundation was challenged in 2014 to raise funds to build the Southwest Georgia Medical Student Housing Complex and secured a lead gift of $1 million from the Richard King Mellon Foundation. Since that time, individuals, businesses, other foundations, and Phoebe volunteers and employees have pledged more than $2.2 million toward the project.

“Unlike other places, we’re willing to meet you halfway,” said Wernick about the funding needed for the capital project. “The residency program itself was not funded strictly by the state of Georgia. It’s paid for, basically, 50 percent by the state and 50 percent by Phoebe Putney. Our approach is don’t give us a handout, but give us a hand up.”

Georgia Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle was present Tuesday for the groundbreaking ceremony.

“It is a great honor to be with you today in Southwest Georgia,” said Cagle. “This occasion is certainly special. It’s not just about the six or seven million dollars, it really is about shaping the future of what this community will look like and become. Rural health care is truly a huge crisis in our state. Many hospitals are on the verge of closing their doors and going out of business. We struggle year-in and year-out to find significant ways to make sure that every person in our state has access to quality health care. “

According to Phoebe officials, the new Southwest Georgia Medical Housing Complex is part of the answer to the struggle to attract more students to the region, improving health care access and the quality of life for the community.