State of the College Address

The 2026 MCG State of the College Address was Friday, February 20, 2026 at the Lansing B. Lee Auditorium

PowerPoint of Address

News Mentions

MCG State of the College Address 2026: A-I in healthcare, and keeping doctors in Georgia

Feb 20, 2026WJBF.com | News Channel 6

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Dr. David Hess, dean of the Medical College of Georgia, delivered his annual MCG State of the College Address Friday afternoon. This year’s State of the College Address was centered around using artificial intelligence in healthcare, while also finding ways to employ more doctors and physicians around the Peach State. Hess highlighted progress in facilities across the state, which expects continued growth over the next 3 to 5 years. Augusta University is also among the top research organizations in funding from the American Heart Association, currently with 50 grants totaling nearly $16 million. Friday afternoon, Dr. David Hess, Dean at MCG, talked to colleagues and students about the college’s accomplishments and plans for the coming year. The theme of the day? Growth and expansion. This year MCG had its largest first year class ever, 304 incoming students, one of the top 5 largest in the nation.

Medical College of Georgia leader presents State of the College address

Feb. 20, 2026 at 8:27 AM ESTWRDW | News Channel 12 & 26

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - David C. Hess, MD, dean of the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, gave his annual State of the College address on Friday afternoon. The address started at noon in the Natalie and Lansing B. Lee Jr. Auditorium on the Health Sciences Campus. Hess said there is a shortage of doctors across the state, with 10 Georgia counties having no physicians and 90 percent of them designated as health shortage areas. He also discussed Augusta University’s rural health care program, which is working to address that shortage.

WATCH IT: Medical College of Georgia State of the College Address

Feb. 20, 2026 at 5:50 PM ESTThe Augusta Chronicle

Dr. David Hess, dean of the Medical College of Georgia, gave the annual State of the College Address on Feb. 20, 2026. See moments from his speech. The address started at noon in the Natalie and Lansing B. Lee Jr. Auditorium on the Health Sciences Campus. Hess said there is a shortage of doctors across the state, with 10 Georgia counties having no physicians and 90 percent of them designated as health shortage areas. He also discussed Augusta University’s rural health care program, which is working to address that shortage.