Morehouse School of Medicine
Columbus Regional Campus

Expanding Access. Advancing Training. Serving Community.

Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) established its presence in Columbus, Georgia in the summer of 2017 to serve the local community while expanding clinical training opportunities for its medical students. The Columbus site was initially created to support class expansion and enhance rural health experiences, offering students meaningful, hands-on exposure in a setting aligned with MSM’s mission to improve the health and well-being of underserved urban and rural populations across Georgia. In its first year, the site relied on volunteer preceptors and welcomed 47 medical students during the 2017–2018 academic year—an experience that quickly gained popularity among students.

Key Milestones

Shortly after MSM students began training in Columbus, Dr. Ashaki Goodman joined the initiative as Program Manager, leading efforts to build strong relationships with local physicians and healthcare partners willing to welcome students for clerkship opportunities. Through her leadership, the Columbus site expanded its network of preceptors and clinical training experiences, contributing to increased student interest and sustained growth. Dr. Goodman now serves as Director of the Columbus Regional Campus, continuing to guide the campus’s academic, clinical, and community engagement efforts as it advances MSM’s mission.

On July 24, 2018, the City of Columbus formally recognized MSM’s growing impact by presenting the institution with a proclamation honoring its partnerships, progress, and commitment to training physicians who serve underserved populations. This recognition underscored the importance of MSM’s expanding footprint in the region and its dedication to community-centered medical education.

In August 2020, the Columbus site expanded its educational reach by beginning to accept clinical rotations for Physician Assistant (PA) students, providing the PA program with the same opportunities for growth, diversity, and rural health exposure as medical students. As training opportunities continued to expand, so did MSM’s engagement with the broader community. Through a grant-funded opioid awareness initiative, MSM began educating residents of Columbus and the Chattahoochee Valley about opioid use disorder, overdose prevention, and harm reduction.

A major milestone was reached on October 31, 2023, when the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) formally approved the Columbus site as an official MSM Regional Campus, becoming the first of its kind. Today, the MSM Columbus Campus offers clinical rotations in Obstetrics & Gynecology, Thoracic Surgery, Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Pediatrics, and Psychiatry, with additional specialty experiences in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R), Emergency Medicine, and Cardiology. Students train across a diverse network of clinical settings through partnerships with Piedmont Columbus Regional, St. Francis Hospital, Valley Healthcare System, and numerous private practices throughout the Columbus area.

The continued success of the Columbus Campus is made possible by the dedication of local physicians, preceptors, and healthcare partners who invest in the education and mentorship of MSM students. Their commitment ensures that learners receive high-quality, hands-on training while serving communities that reflect MSM’s mission and values. MSM is honored to be a trusted partner in Columbus and remains committed to advancing medical education, community health, and health equity throughout the region.