Did you know that Stamps Health Services (SHS) has a history of more than 100 years?! It all started in 1909 when a student died due to a lack of campus medical facilities. After the incident, it was determined that the Georgia Tech community needed more accessible medical facilities on campus. In just under two years the Joseph B. Whitehead Hospital, named after Coca-Cola bottling magnate, was completed and a dedication was held on November 13th, 1911. The hospital could accommodate 27 patients and had suites for nurses, doctors, and a small lab, isolation ward, and sunroom. The first Joseph B. Whitehead Hospital was under the supervision of a doctor who also managed a private practice. To accommodate both he would select students from Emory School of Medicine to run the day-to-day operations of SHS. One of the medical students chosen for that honor was Edward Roe Stamps III, and his time on our campus was the start of a long and fortuitous relationship between the Stamps family and Georgia Tech.

Since 1911, SHS has grown into a 40,000 square foot state-of-the-art, outpatient ambulatory center that provides health care and health education to eligible students and their spouse/domestic partners in six areas: primary care, pharmacy, women’s health, psychiatry, health promotion, and support services (laboratory, radiology, immunization, and eye exams)   with 72 clinical staff . On average, SHS physicians see 30,000 patients, provide around 34,000 lab tests and give an estimated 5,000 immunizations annually.

SHS continues to expand in all capacities to meet the needs of students. Most recently, they expanded contraceptive options in the women’s health clinic, improved access to vaccinations for staff and faculty, and added a sports medicine clinic. To promote a holistic healthy environment for students SHS continues to partner with Campus Recreation, Health Initiatives, and the Counseling Center. “Our partnership with the Campus Recreation Center and with Health Initiatives, and now with the Counseling Center, has grown as we have joined together to promote and support student health and well-being in all of its dimensions. In the short term, SHS psychiatry is working with Counseling, the Vice President of Student Life and Dean of Students, and the Vice President of Campus Services to create and implement a central access point for mental health care that will simplify the process of getting connected with mental health resources on campus” said Dr. Holton. From 1909 to 2019 SHS has a rich history dedicated to providing exceptional care for the Georgia Tech community. For more information about Stamps Health Services or to schedule your appointment go to, health.gatech.edu.