CGTC and Trinity School of Medicine Sign Historic Agreement for Medical Professions Pathway

    WARNER ROBINS, GA, August 03, 2023 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Thanks to the recent signing of an agreement for the Medical Professions Pathway Transfer Program between Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC) and Trinity School of Medicine (TSOM), just 77 semester hours stand between any CGTC student and medical school.

The Medical Professions Pathway Transfer Program will allow CGTC students who complete the prescribed 77 semester hours of coursework to earn an Associate of Science (AS) Degree in General Studies and a Technical Certificate of Credit (TCC) in Healthcare Professions to transfer to TSOM's Transition Term at its campus in St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the Eastern Caribbean.

Once the Transition Term is successfully completed students may be promoted to the Doctor of Medicine program at Trinity School of Medicine. This offers local and international students the opportunity to become medical doctors licensed to practice medicine in the United States and in several other countries.

"Our partnership with CGTC provides a more affordable pathway for any Georgia applicant to begin their journey to become a medical doctor," said, Steven R. Wilson, president and CEO of Trinity Medical Sciences University. "The affordability and shorter pace of the program provide access to a medical education not easily afforded by many rural applicants or second career individuals. This partnership will help rural Georgia by providing a new pathway to the MD degree where applicants can return and practice in the community they love and grew up in."

"What we know this will mean for Georgia is an affordable pathway for any student to begin their journey to become a medical doctor," said Dr. Ivan H. Allen, president of CGTC. "Local high school students can begin this journey in high school under dual enrollment funding and progress through CGTC and realize their dream of attending medical school. It is our hope that this program facilitates not only helping students realize their goals, but also encouraging local students to return swiftly and serve their community through providing quality healthcare."

This pathway signifies more when high school dual enrollment students are considered. High school students in eleventh grade can begin dual enrollment with CGTC to earn credit toward this pathway with up to 30 credit hours of tuition paid via Georgia's very generous Dual Enrollment funding program. Fees and book costs are waived for dual enrollment students.

The average age of students entering medical school according to the American Medical Association is 24 years old. Under this pathway, students could start in the transition term for TSOM at 19-20 years old.

Students who enroll in the pathway post-high school should be able to complete required coursework within five semesters, or about two years. Georgia residents may be eligible for HOPE funding to help cover tuition costs.

"We look forward to the day very soon when a high school dual enrolled student who started on this pathway in Fall 2023 is a licensed professional medical doctor practicing healthcare and saving lives locally in their early 20's," said Allen.

CGTC has a mechanism to support the interest of high school and traditional age students pursuing the Medical Professions Pathway Transfer Program by offering study abroad programs for health sciences students in St. Vincent and the Grenadines alongside TSOM.

In June, CGTC received notice of grant funding from the U.S. Department of State's Increase and Diversify Education Abroad for U.S. Students (IDEAS) Program, which aims in part to develop and expand CGTC's study abroad opportunities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Through the Office of Global Initiatives, students can complete service-learning and volunteer components of course work in health sciences while learning more about Trinity and its campus. Learn more about study abroad and CGTC's international partnership with Trinity at, www.centralgatech.edu/global.

Additionally, CGTC and TSOM's involvement in the private development of the Lofts at Houston Central, a 265-bed student housing complex on Sutherlin Drive off Highway 96 in Warner Robins to support students at both institutions, helps open the pathway to regional and international students interested in medical school.

CGTC currently enrolls numerous post-baccalaureate students in its health sciences programs. The College anticipates more interested post-baccalaureate students entering the pathway intending to complete the required coursework as identified in the pathway. Special advisement will be made available to help all students progress through the program.

The terms of the full articulation agreement for the Medical Professions Pathway Transfer Program between CGTC and TSOM can be viewed here: https://www.centralgatech.edu/academics/articulation

The College is ready to enroll and support its first medical doctor-in-training at the beginning of Fall term which begins August 15. Apply today at www.centralgatech.edu/apply.

About Trinity School of Medicine
Trinity School of Medicine is a highly accredited, international medical school located on the beautiful island of St. Vincent. Trinity holds itself to a special responsibility to train highly skilled physicians and to instill in them a passion and dedication to the health and welfare of the communities they will serve. The founders of Trinity set out to build a top-quality medical school recognized for excellence among all medical schools. We achieve that excellence through the personal investment we make in each student who enters our school, starting from the admissions process and continuing through their academic and clinical studies, into residencies and on into medical practice. U.S. and Canadian residency directors know the quality of Trinity graduates, who continue to secure top-choice residencies in the annual U.S. and Canadian residency match programs in a broad range of specialties.

Learn more about Trinity at https://www.trinityschoolofmedicine.org/

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