Bespeak worth

“Honor bespeaks worth. Confidence begets trust. Service brings satisfaction. Cooperation proves the quality of leadership.” ~James Cash Penney
April 20, 2012

Dear Colleagues and Friends:

Congratulations …
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Darrell Brann in receiving the highest award for international collaboration in science and technology – International Cooperation Award from the government of China’s Hebei Province. Dr. Brann’ s four-year relationship with Hebei United University researchers has resulted in dozens of scientific papers and the establishment of the Institute of Neurobiology two years ago.

Congratulations also go to Dr. Jill Trumble in Neurology as being selected as the “Resident of the Year”. Many excellent nominations were received and the decision was challenging. We also want to congratulate Dr. Brad Abrahams, Radiology; Dr. Pritnam Neupane, Medicine; Dr. Kenneth Iverson, Otolaryngology; Dr. Jamie Stafano, Periodontics for being named as finalists.

Office of Diversity Affairs is Reaching Out into the Community …
The ODA and HEAL students hosted a Mental Health Disparities panel recently with approximately 50 people in attendance including Dr. Adriana Foster, Dr. Donna Londino, and two medical students who all shared perspectives about the topic. ODA and HEAL students were also busy hosting 23 high schools students from AR Johnson and the Academy of Richmond County recently. The students toured the simulation center and learned about various health careers at GHSU. Also, the Junior Medical League and ODA hosted the annual white coat ceremony for middle school students a few weeks ago. This ceremony recognizes middle school students who participate in the Junior Medical League through the Boys and Girls Club.

One Map … Where America Needs Doctors …
In this link, http://storymaps.esri.com/stories/doctors/ you will see where America needs doctors … all in one map. Esri, a geographic data firm, has put together an interactive map, of which parts of the country have the greatest need for physicians. To bring this close to home, over 1/3 of the counties in Georgia have either high need or very high need for primary care doctors. We have 12 counties in the State with no physician’s office of any specialty … nine of those are within our Southwest campus region. This map gives us a ‘bird’s eye’ view of physician offices relative to population. Check it out… it is quite interesting.

10th Annual Raft Debate … Today … Who Will You Choose to Go in the Raft? …
This evening is the much anticipated Raft Debate beginning at 6 pm in the GHSU Wellness Center. This event is sponsored by the MCG Alumni Association. This year’s event revolves around Departments of Medicine (Dr. Adam Berman), Pediatrics (Dr. Christopher Edwards), and Surgery (Dr. Paul Weinberger) aboard a sinking ship and they will debate which specialty should be saved and would help the most people (thus the one-man raft). Dr. William Hill will play Devil’s Advocate to sway the audience. Our thanks go to Dr. Paul Danier for initiating this informative and entertaining event as well as the Alumni Association for pulling it all together. The Raft Debate, conceived by Dr. Dainer has been an annual event with the 3rd year medical students since 2003. Please come long for an exceptional good time with our students and faculty and decide for yourself … who would you choose to go in the raft?

American Public Health Association Director to Speak at Public Health Conference …
Please join us in welcoming Dr. George Benjamin, Executive Director of the American Public Health Association as the keynote speaker at the GHSU Public Health Conference and Forum on May 15 at the Kroc Center. Dr. Azziz will give welcoming remarks and tell us about a new public and preventive health initiative of the university. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend.
Prescription Drugs and Doctor Visits Cut-backs …
Recently the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics issued a report http://www.imshealth.com/portal/site/ims/menuitem.d248e29c86589c9c30e81c033208c22a/?vgnextoid=81c63fc68b876310VgnVCM10000076192ca2RCRD&vgnextchannel=3e382115cc4be210VgnVCM10000071812ca2RCRD&vgnextfmt=default that indicates Americans cut back on prescription drugs expenses as well as visits to their healthcare provider in 2011. Fewer healthcare provider visits may result in few prescriptions getting filled which holds down spending in the short term. However, this may be setting up a scenario of more sick patients in the long term resulting in increased healthcare costs in the future. Despite the reduction in patient use, 2011 saw the ‘introduction of the most new medicines in a decade’.

Medical Wilderness Adventure Race (MedWAR) … Ready, Set, Go …It’s that time of year again when Dr. Michael Caudell, supervises GHSU medical students who design and develop the course. Our Emergency Medicine department sponsors the event. Turnout was great with 29 registered teams made up of 4 participants per team. It’s a unique event which combines wilderness medical challenges with the growing sport of adventure racing. It is a tool for teaching and testing the knowledge, skills, and techniques of wilderness medicine, and for promoting teamwork and collegiality among competitors. The event’s mission is to provide medical students, residents, health care professionals, and wilderness enthusiasts with a practical, interactive, and enjoyable curriculum for learning, applying, and evaluating emergency medical knowledge, skills, and techniques in a wilderness setting. The winners were team “No Permanent Damage” … our very own Drs. Richard Schwartz, Steve Shiver, Brad Reynolds, and Nevin Lambert. Congratulations.

Upcoming Dates and Events …

Today April 20th – Ride your bike to work Day and Earth Day Fair, 10 am – 2 pm, Student Center Courtyard – Visit http://www.georgiahealth.edu/green/earthday/ to discover how you can “Go green”

April 23rd – Consolidation Open Forum – Noon in the ASU Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre and 2 pm in the GHSU Lee Auditorium http://asughsu.org/

April 24th – President’s Lecture Series Continues – Guest Speaker – Dr. Linda Burns Bolton

April 24th – Richmond County Medical Society Meeting, 7 pm, Old Medical College

April 26-29th – GHSU Homecoming – “Rich Heritage, Dynamic Future” with various events on campus and community locations http://www.georgiahealth.edu/alumni/homecoming/ including the Dean’s Reception, President’s cookout, various class reunions, and dances

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.

SAVE THE DATE …

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 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

Best wishes for a great weekend.