Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) recently met with officials at Augusta University to discuss his support for the Medical College of Georgia (MCG). The discussions included the $1 million he secured in fiscal year 2023 for the College’s Center for Digital Health.
Carter highlighted the importance of telehealth, especially for seniors and rural communities. “Telehealth is vital for seniors and those in rural areas,” said Rep. Carter. “I often say that we knew how important telehealth was before the pandemic, but we didn’t realize it until after.”
Russell Keen, President of Augusta University, emphasized the impact of Carter’s support: “The investments Congressman Carter has helped secure for Augusta University are helping us tackle some of our state and country’s most urgent challenges.” He noted that these federal investments enable Augusta University to address issues such as the fentanyl crisis and healthcare access through technology.
David Hess, MD, Dean of the Medical College of Georgia, expressed appreciation for sharing MCG’s progress with legislative partners. “I was honored to meet with Congressman Carter and share more about MCG’s expanding impact across Georgia,” said Hess.
Dr. Matt Lyon, Director of MCG’s Center for Digital Health, also acknowledged Carter’s contributions: “I am extremely grateful for Congressman Carter’s vital support of MCG’s Center for Digital Health.” He pointed out that funding has facilitated telemedicine training and improved healthcare delivery in rural areas.
For fiscal year 2026, Rep. Carter has submitted a request for $900,000 to support rapid fentanyl detection development through Augusta University’s College of Science and Math.
