MCG began sending students to Dalton in 2018, with the Dalton site becoming a full Longitudinal Integrated Curriculum (LIC) in 2020. Hamilton Health Care System is the key partner.
Hamilton started graduate medical education (residency) programs in internal medicine and family medicine in 2020 and 2021 respectively and thus has become a full-fledged teaching hospital. In addition to the typical range of medical and surgical specialties, Hamilton features the Anna Shaw Children’s Institute, the only comprehensive outpatient facility in the state for children with developmental and behavioral delays. It was thoughtfully designed with the input of families of such patients to meet the unique needs of this population. Patients from all over the state, region, and beyond come to Anna Shaw to experience this level of comprehensive care. And it presents a special opportunity for our students, particularly those interested in developmental pediatrics, child neurology, and child psychiatry.
Other special services include NICU, the Peeples Cancer Institute, and a newly announced cardiology facility. Hamilton remains committed to meeting the needs of Northwest Georgia and the partnership with the Medical College of Georgia is crucial to help meet those needs now and in the future.
Hamilton Medical Center supports MCG medical students with low-cost (even free!) housing options with priority given to those students assigned in Dalton for the full clerkship year. Housing is within walking distance to the hospital and that route passes by the Bradley Wellness Center, which provides convenient gym and indoor pool access at no additional cost. Students who may be present for a single rotation may receive housing through the AHEC system. The hospital also provides students with a generous monthly stipend for use in the cafeteria, which can be used for meals, snacks, drinks, etc.
Hamilton is committed to easing any potential financial burden that medical students could incur by choosing Dalton as the site for clinical experiences. Dalton has many great local amenities in the form of parks, hiking trails, local restaurants and festivals, etc, benefitting largely from its proximity to the North Georgia mountains. The location also provides easy access to Chattanooga, TN, and Atlanta is just over an hour away via I-75.
