On Thursday, November 14 at 6:15 p.m., Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC) and its Foundation will welcome healthcare providers from the Central Georgia Medical Care Network (CGMCN) for a brief presentation on a new partnership to address the shortage of allied health care staff in medical offices in the community.  

Leadership from both parties will be on hand at the Roy H. “Sonny” Watson Health Sciences Building Lobby on the College’s Warner Robins Campus at 71 Cohen Walker Drive to share the collaborative work between the organizations to develop scholarships for returning students and program coordination with office job experience for healthcare students.  

In December 2023, CGMCN approached CGTC with the idea of an initiative that would help fill local need of staff shortage in our medical offices.  

Partnering with the CGTC Foundation has led to the development of the CGMCN Career Network Training Program to support accelerated training for students enrolling in programs such as phlebotomy, medical assisting, nurse aide, medical coding, and health coaching. CGMCN will announce significant contributions to the CGTC Foundation for 2024 and 2025 on Thursday in support of the initiative. 

The program offers a streamlined, six-month certification path tailored to meet the needs of working students. It includes practical training in physicians' offices, giving students hands-on experience and the opportunity to apply their skills in real-world healthcare environments. 

Scholarship funding is also available and will cover tuition, books, and testing fees, making it accessible to those who might otherwise be unable to afford the education needed to enter the healthcare field. Upon completion, students earn certifications in various specialized areas such as patient care, office administration, and medical coding, making them job-ready. 

CGMCN is hopeful the pathway for students allows them to gain valuable skills but also strengthens the local healthcare system by encouraging graduates to remain and work in the community.  

Following the brief presentation on Thursday, key members of CGTC and CGMCN will be available to the media for interviews.