School of Medicine and Tanner Health celebrate opening of Carrollton Clinical Campus and Simulation Lab

July 18, 2026 - 00:59

CARROLLTON, Ga. - A crowd of local leaders and state officials gathered at Tanner Medical Center in Carrollton on Friday, July 17, to mark the opening of a major new medical education facility. The Mercer University School of Medicine and Tanner Health System jointly celebrated the launch of the Carrollton Clinical Campus and a new Simulation Lab, a project aimed at training the next generation of physicians in a real-world hospital setting.

The new campus will allow medical students to complete their clinical rotations closer to home, addressing a critical need for rural and community-based healthcare training. The Simulation Lab, equipped with high-fidelity mannequins and advanced medical technology, will provide hands-on practice for procedures ranging from routine exams to emergency response scenarios.

Officials said the partnership strengthens the pipeline for doctors to practice in west Georgia after graduation. The facility is expected to host up to 30 students per year, offering them direct mentorship from Tanner Health physicians. The expansion is part of Mercer's broader effort to place more medical students in community hospitals, where they can learn the nuances of patient care outside of large academic centers. The event included tours of the new lab and remarks from university and hospital leadership, who emphasized the importance of local investment in healthcare education.