“Don’t wait for extraordinary opportunities. Seize common occasions
and make them great.” ~ Orison Swett Marden
November 30, 2012
J. Harold Harrison, M.D. Education Commons Groundbreaking … An Exceptional Day! … “Soon-to-Be” New Home for Our Students …
On Wednesday we broke ground for the long-awaited construction of the J. Harold Harrison, M.D. Education Commons. Dr. and Mrs. Harrison’s generous gift opened the door for so many others to follow in his footsteps… to have the same opportunities he had as a MCG medical student. Dr. Harrison, 1948 Alum, was proud of MCG for “making a doctor out of a country boy”. Dr. Harrison’s gift will help change healthcare for the citizens of Georgia. Many inspiring speakers took the podium including Dr. Harrison’s family members as well as Dr. Azziz, Chancellor Huckaby, Lt. Governor Cagle, Mayor Copenhaver, Dr. Osborne and our very own Lael Reinstatler, President MCG Class 2015 who gave an outstanding speech and brought home the legacy that Dr. Harrison wants to continue. Our appreciation goes to Dr. Azziz for his leadership in securing USG support as well as assisting Dr. Harrison and his family to attain this remarkable legacy event. Our many thanks go to the Education Commons Committee who has had a hand in the planning for the last several years. We also appreciate everyone who volunteered to help make the event yesterday a lasting memory. Susan Barcus and her team did an outstanding job. Our communications and marketing leaders also helped us make lots of noise. Please check out the pictures of the groundbreaking here http://chronicle.augusta.com/slideshow/2012-11-28/spotted-ghsu-education-commons#slide-1 and the story here http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/health/2012-11-28/j-harold-harrison-gift-provides-legacy-future-clout-ghsu. There is a multitude of links for video coverage of the event as well. http://www.wrdw.com/home/headlines/GHSU-breaks-ground-on-the-schools-future-181274371.html and http://www.wrdw.com/home/headlines/GHSU-breaks-ground-on-the-schools-future-181274371.html as well as http://www2.wjbf.com/news/2012/nov/28/groundbreaking-ghsu-ar-5068402/. This is a great opportunity and “soon-to-be” new home for our students.
Community Support for Our New University … We Appreciate the Support …
This past week, we attended the yearly Prelegislative breakfast with our community leaders and legislators. What resounding support for our new university was shown. It is very encouraging to hear the support we have throughout our community and state.
Congratulations … One of Our Faculty Supporting NASA … Sharing Our Leadership and Expertise …
Please join us as we congratulate Dr. Jay Hegde on being named a consultant to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to advise them on a visual neuroscience project. Dr. Hegde’s work will involve advising NASA on how the visual system recognizes objects in natural images, so as to help them devise computers that recognize objects of interest in photographs taken from space. How cool is this!
Congratulations … Longitudinal Excellence in Advancing Global Health … Our Leadership Reaches
Out …
Please join us also as we congratulation Dr. Walter Kuhn on his recent election to fellow status in the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene which recognizes longitudinal excellence in advancing global health. He is one of only 30 physicians worldwide to receive this designation from this prestigious organization.
Congratulations … Book Published … “Ned’s Head” … A Wonderful Book for Kids by Our Talented Faculty …
Please join us as we congratulate Dr. Cargill Alleyne on the recent publication of the first in a series of educational children’s books. These books will present the facts about the human brain in ways of words and illustrations that should capture the interest of children and parents alike. Please join us also as we congratulate Mr. Michael Jenson as one of the very talented illustrators.
(http://www.amazon.com/Neds-Head-Dr-Cargill-Alleyne/dp/1478224924)… Wow … What talent … A leading and remarkably busy brain surgeon who also publishes children’s books … How cool is that!
Faculty Forward Initiative … AAMC Supported … Your Opinion Matters …
You should have received the Association of American Medical Colleges survey on November 26. We want to encourage you to participate in the survey and to share your views candidly. The focus of this Faculty Forward survey is to drill down on faculty career, mentorship and workplace… academic issues that facilitate faculty advancement. This survey will also allow us to compare and contrast key aspects of faculty academic life with peer institutions nationally and to seek collective solutions. Thank you in advance for taking time out of your busy schedules to complete the survey.
Building Bridges … SGEA/SGSA/OSR … Collaboration at Its Best …
Drs. Andria Thomas and Christie Palladino invite you to submit proposals for the 2013 Southern Group on Educational Affairs (SGEA)/ Southern Group on Student Affairs (SGSA)/Organization of Student Representatives (OSR) Joint Spring Meeting being co-hosted by MCG, Emory University Medical School and Mercer University Medical School. This year’s theme is “Building Bridges. (http://www.sgeaannualmeeting.com/)
Congratulations … Pediatric Medical Scholars … Our Summer Research Yields Results of National Importance …
Please join us as we congratulate all five Pediatric Medical Scholars from this year’s summer program on being invited to submit their abstract to the Southern Society for Pediatric Research (SSPR) meeting after the first of the year. Three Scholars have been selected for oral presentations: Adatee Okonkwo (Mentor: Dr. Betty Pace), Brandon Fox (Mentor: Dr. Ryan Harris), and Rachel Elam (Mentor: Dr. Katie Davis), and two Scholars have been selected for poster presentations: Elizabeth Chu (Mentor: Dr. Chris White) and Michael Pham (Mentor: Dr. Bin Dong).
Bone Marrow Drive … A Success … THANK YOU!
Thanks to everyone who participated in the recent Bone Marrow Drive. 198 potential bone marrow donors were registered. What a success!!!
Medical Scholars Research Day Highlights …
Continuing our highlights of 2012 Medical Scholars Research Day, student Adatee Okonkwo (Class of 2015) with Advisor, Dr. Betty Pace (Pediatrics) presented the poster “Discovery of novel fetal hemoglobin inducing drugs to treat sickle cell disease.” While drug-mediated fetal hemoglobin (HbF) induction is the most effective therapy for sickle cell disease (SCD), there is only one FDA approved drug treatment. Our colleagues studied the pharmacologic compound Honokiol which showed that these HbF inducers at micromolar concentrations may emerge as potential therapeutic agents. Great study! More to follow …
Upcoming Events …
TODAY – Student Talent Show, 6:30 pm, Lee Auditorium, Benefiting Reach Out and Read
TODAY – GHSU Faculty and Spouse Club “Newcomer’s” Group, Partridge Inn Veranda, 6:30 pm, casual event, “the year ahead and what to expect and plan for regarding arts and entertainment” – Cash bar and appetizers
December 4th – 2nd Annual Research Town Hall, Noon, Health Sciences Building EC 1218 (http://www.georgiahealth.edu/about/leadership/townhall/research.html)
December 4th – “Performing Live” Noon Arts Concerts, Noon, Lee Auditorium (http://www.georgiahealth.edu/ArtsCouncil/performing/noonconcert.html)
December 6th – NIH Grant Training Seminar, 8:30 am – 5 pm, Georgia Institute of Technology, (http://www.granttrainingcenter.com/)
December 6th – Georgia Gives Day, statewide campaign encouraging GA citizens to give to their non-profit of choice during the day’s 24 hr. flash giving event – Donor website: www.GAgivesday.org
December 6th – 8th – 2012 Cares for Kids Radiothon, CMC Lobby, 6 am to 7 pm on Thursday and Friday and Saturday 8 am to 1 pm. Come out and see what this is all about!
December 7th – MCG Faculty Senate Meeting, Lee Auditorium, 12 Noon
December 11th – Richmond County Medical Society Meeting, Old Medical College, 7 pm
December 12th – Georgia Health Sciences Annual Medical Staff Meeting, 5:30 pm to 7 pm, CMC Conference Room – BT 1810
December 14th – Employee and Faculty Service Recognition Breakfast, The Salvation Army Kroc Center 7:30 – 9:30 am (honoring employees and faculty with 5, 10, 15, and 20 years of service)
December 24th and 25th– Christmas Holidays
January 1st – Happy New Year and Holiday
Have a wonderful weekend.