In photos: First-year students at Medical College of Georgia gifted stethoscopes

Thanks to dozens of donations from alumni, faculty and friends, the Medical College of Georgia Alumni Association was able to provide stethoscopes for every freshman medical student in the Medical College of Georgia. Stethoscopes were presented to Augusta campus students on July 25 and Athens campus students — who are part of the AU/UGA Medical Partnership — on July 27.

This gifting ceremony has been a tradition since 2020, making the Class of 2026 the third class in MCG’s history to receive free stethoscopes.

“We hope to do this for every incoming freshman class. For many medical students, receiving their first stethoscope is the first tangible sign that their dream of becoming a physician is coming true,” said Dr. David Hess, dean of the Medical College of Georgia.

man wears stethoscope — [Michael Holahan/Augusta University]

man and woman read a note — [Michael Holahan/Augusta University]

man writing a thank-you note — [Michael Holahan/Augusta University]

group of medical students listen to a presentation — [Michael Holahan/Augusta University]

boxes of stethoscopes sitting in front of a class of medical students — [Michael Holahan/Augusta University]

3 women smile with stethoscopes — [Michael Holahan/Augusta University]

woman writing a thank-you note — [Michael Holahan/Augusta University]

man listening to another man's heart via stethoscope — [Michael Holahan/Augusta University]

“This is an amazing opportunity to impact a student’s life at the beginning of this special journey to becoming a physician.”

The MCG Class of 2026 is the largest incoming class ever, with 264 students. There are 204 in Augusta and 60 in Athens, Georgia at the AU/UGA Medical Partnership.

Supporters of the Medical College of Georgia are encouraged to donate to the Buy A Stethoscope program to support future cohorts of MCG students.