HR 488: Southwest Georgia Area Health Education Center; commend

This is a commemorative resolution passed by the Georgia House of Representatives honoring the Southwest Georgia Area Health Education Center (SOWEGA-AHEC), a nonprofit that works to increase the number and diversity of healthcare providers in 38 southwest Georgia counties. The resolution recounts the organization's history and achievements, including leadership by Dr. Winston Price, Executive Director Laura Calhoun, Administrator Zina Whittaker, and Dr. James Hotz, and describes programs like the Community Paramedicine Program and the RN Reentry Program. It notes that in 2024 the group engaged more than 5,800 participants and helped retain 1,266 healthcare providers in the region. The resolution does not change any law; it directs the Clerk of the House to send a copy to the organization as a formal show of recognition.

• Formally commends SOWEGA-AHEC for its healthcare workforce development work in southwest Georgia.
• Recites the organization's history, leadership, and 2024 program statistics as part of the record.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to send a copy of the resolution to SOWEGA-AHEC.
• Does not create any new law, funding, or regulatory requirement.

The resolution directly names the Southwest Georgia Area Health Education Center and its leaders, including Dr. Winston Price, Laura Calhoun, Zina Whittaker, and Dr. James Hotz. It also references hospitals in its Community Paramedicine Program, including Clinch Memorial Hospital and Colquitt Regional Medical Center.

Because this is a commendatory resolution rather than a law, it has no direct legal or financial effect on Georgians. Its practical significance is symbolic: it places the House's formal recognition of SOWEGA-AHEC's healthcare workforce efforts in the official legislative record.

• The resolution's whereas clauses describe SOWEGA-AHEC's mission, leadership, and 2024 outcomes, including 5,800 participants engaged and 1,266 providers retained.
• The resolving clause has the House commend the organization for its contributions to healthcare workforce development in southwest Georgia.
• A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to SOWEGA-AHEC.

1. 2025-03-04House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2025-03-04House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-03-04House Hopper (House)

• Gerald Greene (R, HD-154)Primary sponsor
• Darlene Taylor (R, HD-173)
• Bill Yearta (R, HD-152)
• Joe Campbell (R, HD-171)
• Noel Williams, Jr. (R, HD-148)
• John Corbett (R, HD-174)

• healthcare workforce
• southwest Georgia
• medical education
• legislative commendation