MACON – Maddie Runion of Dallas, Georgia was recently accepted to the Mercer University School of Medicine (MUSM) Primary Care Accelerated Track (ACT) Program, announced by MUSM Dean Jean Sumner, M.D., FACP.
The Primary Care ACT Program allows students interested in a career in family medicine, general internal medicine, or pediatrics to have the opportunity to complete their medical school coursework in an accelerated three-year program of study.
Scholarships are awarded to highly qualified medical students upon completing their first year of medical school and cover tuition for the second and third years. These students must be in good academic standing and have a strong desire to practice primary care in rural areas.
Upon completion of residency, Scholars are required to participate in three years of continuous, full-time, primary care medical practice in a medically underserved or rural area of Georgia. The practice must also accept Medicaid patients.
“This is an outstanding program that enables qualified students to accelerate their education, decrease their debt, and enter the workforce sooner without sacrificing quality,” said Dr. Sumner. “This program wouldn’t be possible without the strong support and leadership of Georgia’s state legislature and governor.”
Runion was drawn to the ACT program because of the opportunity to start practicing medicine as soon as possible.
“I am honored to have this opportunity to serve rural Georgia faster,” said Runion. “I feel privileged to receive my training from such an incredible program.”
Runion plans to return to practice family medicine in one of the rural counties surrounding her hometown. Maddie is the daughter of Cindy and Matthew Runion.