AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A week after a body was found in the Savannah River, positive identification has been made.

The Richmond County Coroner’s Office says 38-year-old Jermaine Pate from Georgiana, Ala., was identified as the victim.

Pate’s body was found in the Savannah River early July 19.

His body was sent to the GBI lab for an autopsy, according to the coroner’s office.

Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen confirms he was called to the scene at 8:18 a.m. to the 600 block of Riverfront Drive after a body was found in the river.

A fisherman located the body and called 911, officials say.

The scene was cleared around 8:50 a.m.

The coroner’s office says autopsy results are still pending.

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SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) – The Medical College of Georgia is finally ready to open its doors on the Armstrong campus of Georgia Southern.

After a little more than a year building the school, leaders from around the state came together Friday for an official ribbon cutting.

This is a dream that has become reality. A new four-year medical campus in the Coastal Empire.

Augusta University’s Medical College of Georgia expanding to Georgia Southern’s Armstrong campus in an effort to improve current shortages in the state’s healthcare system.

“As we grow as a state and we are the number one place to do business, we also want to keep up with that in the healthcare environment,” said Dr. Russell Keen, President, Augusta University.

This is an initiative GSU officials say they’re already working towards.

”One out of every five undergraduate degree that is conferred in state of Georgia in health processions is a Georgia Southern graduate,” said Kyle Marrero, Georgia Southern University.

That’s why Georgia Southern’s president says this was the perfect partnership.

The campus just down the street from St. Joseph’s Hospital, a place students will be able to get hands-on experience.

“They’re practicing with real life physicians, and they get exposure to what it’s like to be on the ground,” said Paul Hinchey, CEO, St. Joseph’s Candler.

Getting them ready to better serve the Savannah area after graduating.

“The learning curve goes down, and they’re ready to hit the ground going,” said Hinchey.

Students acknowledging the next few years will be a lot of work but saying they’re excited to start this once in a lifetime opportunity.

“It’s going to be really difficult this year, and the years to come, but I know if I always remember my why and lean on my classmates, I can make it through no matter what,” said Brian Egan, medical school student.

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