The 6th Annual South Georgia Healthcare Summit will take place on February 10, 2026, at the UGA Conference Center in Tifton, bringing together educators, healthcare employers, students, and community partners to strengthen the healthcare workforce across rural South Georgia.

The Summit is a collaborative effort of the Southwest Georgia Healthcare Sector Partnership (Region 10) and the South Georgia Healthcare Group (Region 11). Centered on the theme, “From Education to Employment: Building the Future of Rural Georgia Healthcare,” the event will focus on strengthening education-to-career pathways and ensuring workforce readiness to meet the region’s growing healthcare needs.

Participants will include representatives from K–12 school systems, post-secondary institutions, healthcare providers, and community organizations who are working together to address workforce challenges and develop sustainable solutions for rural communities. The Summit serves as a platform for aligning education and training programs with employer demand while expanding opportunities for students interested in healthcare careers.

The Southwest Georgia Healthcare Sector Partnership plays a key role in advancing this work by using a sector strategy model that brings healthcare employers and educators together to identify shared workforce priorities. Through ongoing collaboration, the partnership supports career awareness, improves alignment between training programs and industry needs, and helps build a strong pipeline of qualified healthcare professionals for the region.

Keynote speakers for the 2026 Summit include Tammy Bryant, Director of Curriculum for Allied Health with the Office of Technical Education, and Joseph Echols, Executive Director of Secondary Education Initiatives at the Technical College System of Georgia. Additional presentations will feature representatives from area technical colleges, as well as student testimonials highlighting successful pathways from education into healthcare careers.

A major highlight of the Summit will be the presentation of healthcare scholarships to support students pursuing careers in the field. Scholarships will be awarded to high school seniors entering healthcare career pathways and to post-secondary students currently enrolled in healthcare programs, providing direct financial support for their education and training.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in breakout sessions focused on education pipelines, employer strategies, and innovation and technology. The innovation and technology session will include interactive mobile units located outside the venue, such as Phoebe Putney’s Simulation Mobile Center, Miller County Hospital’s Mobile Clinic, and the Georgia Partnership for Telehealth mobile unit. The Summit will also feature presentations from 3B Scientific Immersive Simulation Software, showcasing emerging tools used in healthcare education and training.

Proceeds from Summit sponsorships, after event expenses, are reinvested into regional healthcare scholarship programs, ensuring continued support for the development of the local healthcare workforce.

The event is free to attend, includes lunch, and will feature 30 vendor booths for networking and engagement. Attendance is limited to 300 participants, and early registration is encouraged for those interested in attending this regional workforce development event.

Registration Link

Vendor and Sponsorship Form for the 6th Annual Healthcare Summit