Agnes Scott College has been awarded $1 million to train

physician assistants and clinical mental health counselors in maternal and pediatric

care as a part of the 2024 omnibus appropriations bill signed by President Biden

on March 23.

The grant will support the equipment, curriculum development and technology

needed for the college’s physician assistant and clinical mental health counseling

graduate programs. This will position the college to prepare more than 160

master’s students annually to practice as licensed professional counselors and

certified physician assistants by 2027.

“We are immensely grateful to Senators Ossoff and Warnock for their support of our

work to educate healthcare professionals, especially those who can make a difference

in the lives of women and children,” said Leocadia I. Zak, president of Agnes Scott

College.

“This legislation makes strong investments that will lower childcare costs, support

small businesses, strengthen rural health care and more,” said Senator Warnock,

speaking about the appropriations act. “I’m proud it reflects my commitment to

serving Georgians from Rome to Valdosta.”

Georgia has the nation’s highest maternal death rate and is 16th in infant mortality.

In metro Atlanta, demand for physician assistants is expected to grow by 34 percent

from 2023 to 2033, 26 percent higher than the national average. Demand for licensed

professional counselors is also expected to increase significantly over the same period.

Agnes Scott is driving solutions by developing mission-aligned, health-focused

graduate programs to address community and workforce needs while providing

pathways for meaningful careers in healthcare. Based on an analysis of workforce

demand and feedback from local healthcare partners, Agnes Scott launched its clinical

mental health counseling program in 2022 to address the state’s mental health crisis and will launch a physician assistant program in 2025 to meet the growing demand

for physician assistants.