COLQUITT COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) - A grant is helping students across Colquitt County gain real-world experience before entering the workforce.

The funding supports several academic programs, but leaders said a major focus is preparing students for careers in healthcare as rural communities across Georgia continue facing shortages of medical professionals.

Colquitt County Schools is one of 10 districts in Georgia to receive the innovative learning grant, which is helping create career-focused learning opportunities for students interested in healthcare.

“What this opportunity has given us is an opportunity to really rethink how learning takes place in our schools,” said Dan Chappuis, superintendent of Colquitt County School District. “What we’re doing is working to provide opportunities for our students. We’re trying to create really magnet schools within our one high school. And so we’re starting off with a health care futures pathway.”

The grant will help students gain real-world experiences they normally would not get inside the classroom, including internship opportunities, hands-on clinical training, and mentorship programs.

This is important in the healthcare field because 84 of Georgia’s 85 rural counties are designated as Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Areas. According to data from the Cicero Institute, 143 of Georgia’s 159 counties were designated health professional shortage areas in 2024.

“Our district, we’re focusing on establishing a health care pathway that basically involves advanced science and math and trying to get kids experiences out of the schools and in labs and in doctor’s offices and clinics,” said Allen Edwards, chief academic officer for Colquitt County School District. “And let them have experiences and internships that they probably would not have otherwise.”

Members of the community said they are grateful that Colquitt County students get to take advantage of the grant.

The grant is being seen as a step toward closing the gap between classroom learning and one of South Georgia’s biggest needs in access to healthcare in rural communities.

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