Mercer University School of Medicine Dean Jean R. Sumner, M.D., FACP, announced that Dr. Candi Nobles-James has been appointed as senior associate dean for the Macon campus, effective July 1. A respected physician, educator and leader in internal medicine, Dr. Nobles-James brings a deep commitment to medical education and patient care to her new role.
“I am delighted that Dr. Nobles-James has accepted this position,” said Dr. Sumner. “She is an outstanding person, physician and leader. In her previous role as associate dean of student affairs, she did an exceptional job. She’s a true Mercerian, and I look forward to all the amazing things she will accomplish.”
Dr. Nobles-James is replacing Dr. Edwin Grimsley, professor of internal medicine and inaugural senior associate dean for the Macon campus. Dr. Grimsley has served in the role since 2017.
“As the first senior associate dean for the Macon campus, Dr. Grimsley set a standard for others to follow,” said Dr. Sumner. “His commitment to excellence in education, clinical practice and service is well known. We’re fortunate he’ll remain with us for several more years as he returns to the faculty.”
Board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Dr. Nobles-James has played a pivotal role in expanding endocrine care in Central Georgia. She launched and directed the inpatient endocrine service at The Medical Center of Central Georgia from 2012 to 2017 and provided outpatient care at Mercer Medicine and The Jones Center in Macon.
Dr. Nobles-James joined the School of Medicine faculty in 2004 and has served as associate dean of student affairs since 2019. In that role, she worked closely with students throughout their academic journey, offering guidance and support in both their professional development and personal growth.
“It is an honor and privilege to serve the University, the School and the greater rural communities of Georgia,” said Dr. Nobles-James. “Having grown up in rural South Georgia, I am intimately familiar with the health care disparities and barriers to access that exist. I hope to continue the strong tradition of service and collaboration among the School of Medicine, Atrium Health Navicent, Piedmont Macon and the broader medical community. Together, we can advance medical education and provide unparalleled care to the people of Macon and the rural communities of Central and South Georgia.”
In addition to her new academic leadership responsibilities, she will also serve as the managing physician partner for Mercer Medicine, the School of Medicine’s clinical faculty practice. In this role, she will take on expanded duties related to the practice’s business operations, including oversight of physician staffing and clinical performance.
A native of Douglas, Dr. Nobles-James earned a Bachelor of Science in biology from Valdosta State University before completing her Doctor of Medicine at Mercer School of Medicine. She went on to complete her internal medicine residency at The Medical Center of Central Georgia (now Atrium Health Navicent) and a fellowship in endocrinology at the University of Missouri.
Dr. Nobles-James has received numerous teaching awards and is a member of the Arnold P. Gold Humanism Honor Society and Alpha Omega Alpha National Medical Honor Society. She enjoys precepting students in research projects related to student wellness and diabetes and metabolism. Currently, she serves as the president of the Bibb County Medical Society.
Dr. Nobles-James met her husband, Dr. Erskine James, while they were both medical students at Mercer School of Medicine. They enjoyed studying in groups and taking walks around the beautiful campus. Dr. Nobles-James and her husband have three adult children who still come over several times a week for family meals. She enjoys gardening, reading, walking her dogs and especially mentoring students.
