Georgia healthcare leaders discuss keeping newly trained professionals in state

Healthcare professionals gathered Wednesday at the Georgia Aquarium, and the hot topic was how states like Georgia will retain their newly trained healthcare professionals in the state.

Healthcare leaders, researchers and policymakers attended the Health Connect South Annual Gathering to discuss the future of health care, including the shortage of healthcare professionals.

Caylee Noggle, president and CEO of the Georgia Hospital Association, said the shortage extends past physicians and also includes nurses, behavioral health professionals and other healthcare workers.

“When hospitals can’t find enough nurses, physicians, behavioral health professionals, or even EMS personnel, patients really feel that through longer wait times, fewer available services, and greater pressure even on emergency departments,” Noggle said.

Noggle said more faculty and funding would be necessary to expand existing training programs.

The Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce’s 2026 medical school graduate survey found that 709 graduates matched into residency programs. Of those, 462, or 65.2%, matched outside of Georgia, while 247, or 34.8%, matched inside the state.

Out of the graduates who matched into residency programs outside of the state, more than 25% said they preferred to stay in Georgia.