“You’ve got to think about big things while you’re doing small things, so that all the small things go in the right direction.” ~ Alvin Toffler
April 27, 2012
Dear Colleagues and Friends:
GHSU Homecoming … “Rich Heritage, Dynamic Future” … This Weekend …
It’s not to late to join in the festivities of Homecoming … Tonight is the Dean’s Reception at 5:30 and the Alumni Banquet at 6:30 at the Marriott on the Riverwalk. Saturday will be filled with the President’s Cookout on the grounds of the new College of Dental Medicine building as well as class reunions and dances being held Saturday evening at the Marriott. The MCG Alumni Board and MCG Foundation Boards will also be holding meetings. Please go here http://www.georgiahealth.edu/alumni/homecoming/ for more details. We look forward to seeing you tonight.
Anesthesiology will also be celebrating its 75th anniversary. When the department was established, it was one of four major anesthesiology departments in the country and the first in the South. The department is celebrating its past and looking forward to the future.
Governor Nathan Deal Visits GHSU … We appreciate the Governor’s Leadership and Support …
This week we had the privilege and pleasure of a visit from Governor Deal. He challenged us to excellence and to focus on our strengths. He also highlighted funding directed for the Medical Education Commons Building in the new budget. Governor Deal is very much focused on improving health care for Georgians. He commented that GHSU is “perfectly suited to be an anchor” for providing health care, focusing on new procedures and treatments and for the research to make all this happen. He supports growth in enrollments, research and improving clinical care. We appreciate this support.
Congratulations Are In Order …
Also, please join us in congratulating Dr. Zheng Dong on recently being appointed to the Pathobiology of Kidney Disease Study Section, Center for Scientific Review for the NIH – an important task and evidence of the quality of his research accomplishments, publications and other scientific activities.
We received a note of the highest praise and humongous thanks to Dr. David Terris and his remarkable clinical staff. Of all the hospitals in the country that this family could have chosen … they chose Dr. Terris and GHSU.
Continued Accreditation … Great News! …
We applaud our Division of Pain Medicine training program in the Department of Anesthesiology for its successful review with recommendation for continued accreditation with the next survey occurring in 2015. Many thanks to our GME office, faculty, staff, residents, and students that prepared for this site visit.
Presidential Lecture Series … Another Great Speaker and National Leader …
Dr. Linda Burnes Bolton, Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer and Director of Nursing Research at Cedars-Sinai Health System in Los Angeles gave us a stellar and invigorating guest lecture. She told us of the pivotal role of nursing and the value gained when inter-professional collaboration exists. To put medical errors in perspective, it would take 200 plane crashes to equal the deaths due to medical errors that occur in hospitals. The key to recurring errors and improving care is best with communication and interdisciplinary care.
Southern Group on Educational Affairs Conference …
Researchers from EII and other GHSU departments were a huge success at the recent 2012 SGEA Conference. With five posters, one demonstration, eight oral presentations, one small group discussion, and one workshop, the researchers and educators opened up discussions on topics including the methods to improve clinical, psychological, and communication skills in learners across the continuum, modifications to curricula and evaluation through the implementation of different methods of learning, and the importance of using validated assessment tools to ensure effective evaluation. Drs. Deborah Richardson, Christie Palladino and Andria Thomas were awarded the Medical Education Scholarship Award for Outstanding Poster by a Professional Medical Educator. Well done group!
CMS Proposed Rule Changes About GME – CAPS and Payments for DGME and IME …
We appreciate Dr. Shelley Nuss for notifying us about a new CMS proposal in the IPPS proposed rule (page 416 of http://www.ofr.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2012-09985_PI.pdf) that would increase the cap-building period from 3 years to 5 years. For hospitals building brand new GME programs, this is great news. For more information on this new proposal or how you can lend your support, please contact Dr. Nuss (mnuss@georgiahealth.edu)
Administrative Professionals Week … Thank You for All You Do …
Did you know that April 23-37 was ‘Administrative Professionals Week’? Administrative Professionals now encompass many different support positions within our community. This is the time to recognize the dedication of the men and women in administrative positions. These professionals often work behind the scenes and are a critical component to MCG and GHSU. Thank you for your hard work and dedication.
Earth Day 2012 …
GHSU kicked off its Earth Day 2012 event on April 20. This year’s event was a partnership with Paine College. We want to make sure you go to the web to see all the pictures and the different events that took place. Hopefully you have taken away some excellent ways of ‘going green’ in your workplace and your home. http://www.georgiahealth.edu/green/earthday/
Upcoming Dates and Events …
April 30th – Noon, GC 5002 – Second showing of “The Steering Committee” by Hodges Usry. The Office of Diversity and Inclusion would like to invite you to attend the second showing of the documentary about racial tensions in Augusta in the 60s and 70s. The film is approximately 20 minutes long and Q&A will follow. Refreshments will be provided. If you haven’t seen this, please try to come … it is a remarkable documentary.
May 1st – 31st – Mental Health Month – Look for more information to come your way
May 1st – 31st – Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month – check out http://www.georgiahealth.edu/aaffairs/idi/apiahm/index.html
May 2nd – Noon, CJ 1008 – Mentoring 2 GO! Bring your brown bag lunch and your educational research question
May 3rd – UFS Spring Faculty Assembly and GHSURI Research Awards Ceremony, 4 pm
May 4th – MCG Dean’s State of the College Address, “The Continuum of Leadership II, Building On Our Momentum” 12 Noon, Large Auditorium – Great opportunity for faculty, staff, residents, students, alumni, community colleagues, local administrative and civic leaders to learn of the exciting “state” of MCG … where we’ve been and where we’re going. The address will be broadcast via live streaming for those that can’t attend in person http://georgiahealth.pvcs.usg.edu/LiveStream.aspx?pin=9942&noredirect=true. Video conference will be available to our regional campuses for a “shout-out” at the beginning of the address. Make plans to attend this informative event.
May 8th – 9:30 am, CB 2109 – EII Workshop: “Health Science Education Research: How to Get Started”
May 10th – Hooding, 2 pm, Bell Auditorium – Keynote Speaker – Vice Admiral Matthew L. Nathan, Navy Surgeon General
May 11th – GHSU Graduation, 2 pm – James Brown Arena
May 14th – National Peace Officers Day
May 15th – MCG Town Hall, 5 pm, Large Auditorium – Question and Answer forum with Dr. Buckley
May 18th – GME Leadership Retreat, 8 am – 4 pm, Alumni Center – Agenda to include ACGME changes in the accreditation process