School of Medicine highlights growing research and community programs.

School of Medicine Supporters,

There’s nothing quite like fall in Athens. Campus is buzzing with life again, Sanford Stadium is bustling with Bulldogs, and here at the School of Medicine, we are busy preparing for the future of health care in Georgia.

Earlier this month, our School of Medicine welcomed the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) for a site visit — a critical and required step in our ongoing accreditation journey. I’m pleased to share that the visit was both productive and positive, with encouraging engagement throughout. This milestone reflects our commitment to meeting the highest standards in medical education, and I am deeply appreciative of the extraordinary dedication shown by our faculty and staff throughout this process. The School of Medicine expects to be notified by the LCME of its decision on preliminary accreditation status in February 2026. If granted, the School of Medicine may begin recruiting its inaugural class of exceptional medical students to join the Bulldog Nation.

I am also very excited to share that cutting-edge cancer research is already underway at the School of Medicine. Dr. Yana Zavros has been working tirelessly with state-of-the-art technology to accelerate the development of a new, groundbreaking approach that will be vital for cancer patients to diagnose the disease at an earlier stage, and it’s happening right here at the University of Georgia.

We are also celebrating another successful year of our Mini-Med Camp, an annual summer camp with over 200 middle and high school students, introducing them to the study of medicine and offering mentorship opportunities. We are so thankful for every future physician who joined us for Mini-Med Camp, and we hope to see them back next year for another fun summer.

I want to end with the reminder that these exciting and momentous milestones are possible because of the generosity of our School of Medicine donors. 

Your unwavering commitment makes initiatives like Dr. Zavros’ innovative cancer research possible. It also makes it possible for the future generation of doctors to attend Mini-Med Camp. And soon, your donations through scholarships to the School of Medicine will assist students’ dreams of attending medical school become a reality. We are grateful for your support towards a healthier Georgia, and we are forever indebted to your kindness and generosity.

With my gratitude, 

Dr. Shelley Nuss
Founding Dean, UGA School of Medicine

Future Physicians in Training: UGA’s Mini-Med Camp Sparks Medical Passion in Georgia Youth

UGA’s annual Mini-Med Camp welcomed over 200 middle and high school students to the Health Sciences Campus this summer for six weeks of immersive medical exploration. Campers studied anatomy, practiced clinical skills, and engaged in hands-on experiences like brain dissections and suturing clinics. Each week concluded with a behind-the-scenes hospital tour and a commencement ceremony celebrating their achievements.

This year’s camp served 219 students, including 201 from 40 Georgia counties and 18 out-of-state students from Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, and Illinois. Survey results underscored the program’s impact: 96% of campers reported an improved understanding of medicine and healthcare, and 95% expressed a stronger interest in pursuing healthcare careers.

Sponsored by the School of Medicine’s Office of the Dean, coordinated by the Office of Community Engagement, and facilitated through the AU/UGA Medical Partnership, the camp aims to inspire the next generation of Georgia-based physicians and is part of the school’s broader initiative to engage local communities across the state for a stronger, healthier future. If you are interested in helping expand this program's impact, support Mini-Med camp today!

Live look at the future School of Medicine

The new Medical Education and Research Building is well on its way to be completed in December 2026! Keep up-to-date with the construction progress here. 

UGA donors set fundraising record, spotlighting School of Medicine priorities

School of Medicine faculty member begins diagnostic research program with campus partners

Fundraising Priorities

Medical school debt in the U.S. averages nearly $200,000, and about 85% of students receive some form of financial aid. The prospect of significant debt can deter talented students from choosing schools without strong scholarship support. For those who do take on substantial debt, the burden can discourage careers in primary care, limit service in rural and underserved areas, and make it harder to begin their lives with financial stability after training.

At the UGA School of Medicine, student scholarships will significantly enhance our efforts to establish our position as a premier institution for medical education. A scholarship can be the deciding factor for a student choosing where to study — and where to stay and serve after graduation.

If you are interested in learning more about supporting medical students through scholarships, attract new talent to our state, and launch careers that will impact the lives of thousands of patients and their families, please contact Hudson Clare.

Continue your commitment to building a healthier Georgia.