Jeffersonville native named scholar in rural Mercer School of Medicine program

A Twiggs County High School and Middle Georgia State University grad  was named a scholar for a competitive program in the Mercer University School of Medicine. 

Franklin Harvey will participate in the Primary Care Accelerated Track (ACT) Program, which will enable him to complete his studies in three years. Scholars in the program complete the same coursework as traditional, four-year students.

ACT program scholarships are awarded to students who have finished their first year of medical school and cover tuition for the second and third years.

The program is designed for students interested in a career in family medicine, general interest medicine or pediatrics who want to practice in a rural area. Mercer’s program was one of the first two programs of its kind to be created in the U.S., according to the university.

“They represent the best and brightest and are committed to communities with the greatest need in rural, underserved Georgia,” said Dr. Jean Sumner, dean of the medical school. “[ACT] allows native Georgians to complete their medical education at Mercer, enter a Georgia primary care residency and remain in our state to serve rural communities that have the most need.” 

The Jeffersonville native was drawn to the program, he said, because he wants to provide health care for people who need it most. Once he graduates medical school, he plans to practice medicine in a rural, underserved community in Georgia. 

“I’m excited to be selected for this program,” Harvey said. “I think it is a great opportunity to serve rural communities with the greatest need.” 

Once he graduates in 2026, he will join the internal medicine residency at Atrium Health Navicent The Medical Center in Macon. Scholars are required to participate in three years of continuous, full-time primary care medical practice in a medically underserved rural area in Georgia upon completion of their residencies. The practice must accept Medicaid patients.

Including Harvey, there are 11 total ACT scholars in this year’s selection.