This week 17 3rd year medical students will begin training at MCG’s satellite campus in Albany.

The campus has been open since 2005 but MCG officials say the new residential program will allow students to spend more time in the state’s under served southwest region.

The area has a hard time attracting doctors because of poor economic conditions.

Dr. Doug Patten is Chief Medical Officer at Phoebe Putnam Hospital where the campus is located.

"We are excited that these students will be relocating to southwest Georgia," said Patten. "We think it will enhance our ability to attract and retain the best possible physicians to meet the health care needs of southwest Georgia."

The Albany campus is part of a plan to increase MCG’s class size to help meet the growing demand for physicians in Georgia.

A second residential program is already in the works in Savannah.

Tags: Southwest Georgia, Medical College of Georgia, Albany, MCG, doctor shortage, under served areas