Bill Kirby

ThursdayJul23,2020at11:30PM

This date in regional history.

JULY 24, 1941

Fulfilling a pledge made the month before, Georgia Gov. Eugene Talmadge announced he would immediately make funds available to expand the medical school in Augusta.

The expansion would mean that 75 freshmen students would be admitted in the fall instead of the customary 48, The Augusta Chronicle reported.

Professors, staff and equipment would also be added, and the plan would be carried out through the combined efforts of the city of Augusta, Richmond County, University Hospital and the Board of Regents, it was announced by W.S. Morris, of the Board of Regents, and Dean Lombard Kelly of the medical school.

Kelly said the governor was "delighted" by the expansion plan because he was keenly interested in training doctors to return to their home communities and to rural sections of the state.

Originally posted here:

July 24, 1941: Governor expanded medical education in Augusta - The Augusta Chronicle