The Southwest Georgia Medical Student Housing complex has reached a major construction milestone. A topping out ceremony was held at the site of the complex to celebrate successfully and safely reaching the highest point of construction – the roof.
 
Topping out ceremonies are a century old tradition and include placing an evergreen tree atop a building to celebrate a safe construction site thus far, an expression of hope for the secure completion of the structure, and blessing for the building and its future inhabitants. According to Stephen Dew, President & CEO of Pellicano Construction, since breaking ground on the project in May there have been zero accidents or incidents.
 
During the ceremony, Joel Wernick, Phoebe President & CEO, thanked the building planners and construction tradesmen who have worked tirelessly and safely to reach this milestone in the project, which is expected to be completed spring 2017. Other speakers included Dew and Jeffrey Juliano, Principal of Collins Cooper Carusi Architects.
 
Located across from Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, the first phase of the new housing complex will feature apartment-style living for 40 students and residents who are in Southwest Georgia for short-term clinical training. The Southwest Georgia Medical Student Housing complex broke ground in May amid a $3.8 million, three-year fundraising campaign initiated by Phoebe Foundation. To date, $3.4 million has been raised, led by a $1 million gift from the Richard King Mellon Foundation. The campaign will remain active until the goal has been met.
 
Over a decade ago Phoebe embarked on a journey to increase the number of healthcare professionals, especially primary care physicians, to care for citizens of this region. Lack of convenient, affordable, temporary housing has been a barrier to attracting students in the past. However, for those who have trained in this area, up to 70 percent of residents have remained in the area, establishing practices within 100 miles.
 
In addition to solving the problem of temporary housing, local leaders say the complex will have a significant economic impact. Future physicians who choose to set up practice in the region are estimated to bring a nearly $1 million boost to local economies with the creation of jobs and patients visiting from outside the area.