“This capacity to shape a vision of what can be achieved, and to share the vision with others so that it becomes their own, is one of the most important elements of leadership.” ~ Professor David Pennington, Vice Chancellor, University of Melbourne 1988-1995
March 9, 2012
Dear Colleagues and Friends:
Congratulations Go Out To …
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Tohru Ikuta on recently being appointed to the Molecular and Cellular Hematology Study Section, Center for Scientific Review for the NIH – chosen for demonstrated competence, honors and quality of his research accomplishments, publications and other scientific activities.
We also send our congratulations to Dr. Kathryn Martin on recently being named Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia Woman of Distinction. Dr. Martin was nominated for her many public service projects including her work as past Chair of Healthy Savannah.
Congratulations also go to our GI faculty and fellows on acceptance of 14 abstracts for presentations (including a Distinguished Plenary Oral Presentation) at the May National Digestive Disease Week meeting. This prestigious, national/international GI meeting will be attended by over 12,000 delegates. This is a remarkable and tremendous achievement for our GI section.
We also congratulate our Radiology Department on a recent successful W.H. Pool Society meeting. Approximately 80 Radiologists and technologists from AL, GA, SC, NC, and KY attended. Lecturers included several GHSU faculty and alumni including our newest Mammography faculty (and alum), Dr. Karen Panzitta as well as lecturers from Fort Gordon, Emory and Vanderbilt.
Match Day YouTube and Facebook …
Check out our Facebook promo on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bI5yuM0uYIA
and then like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MCGMatchDay!!! If you have a Facebook account you can “like” the page and encourage your family and friends to do the same. On Match Day, tag us in photos, videos, and status updates. Direct friends and family to the page to get live updates.
2015 MCAT Exam Changes on the Way …
Recently the Association of American Medical College (AAMC) Board of Directors approved the MR5 committee’s recommendations for the 2015 MCAT exam. https://www.aamc.org/newsroom/newsreleases/273712/120216.html. The changes are designed to help students prepare for our changing health care system and evolving body of medical knowledge while continuing to address the needs of a diverse and aging population. Changes include added emphasis on social and behavioral sciences, scientific inquiry and reasoning skills, and introductory biochemistry. Students will have to analyze information in passages from a wide range of social sciences and humanities disciplines, including ethics and philosophy, cross-cultural studies, and population health. See https://www.aamc.org/mcat2015/preview.pdf to learn more about the content of the future exam.
Admissions Committee and Staff Hard at Work …
We want to thank Drs. Jack Yu, Richard Cameron, Ms. Wilma Sykes-Brown, Ms. Anita Bharath, Ms Tracie Brands, and Ms. Linda DeVaughn for hosting the recent event for Georgia Southern University. The Georgia Southern students were very impressed with our faculty and student leaders as well as our campus. Many thanks for your dedication and support of our recruitment efforts.
Student Summer Research Applications …
We are well on our way in preparing for the Student Summer Research Program. 78 students from Augusta and Athens submitted high quality applications this year. The review panel will be convening to make final recommendations for the program. Many thanks to all the students who prepared and submitted applications for this educational and informative learning program. We also want to thank Dr. Richard Cameron for his leadership of this program.
Average Age of First-Time RO1 Principal Investigators Increase …
Recently Dr. Sally Rockey’s (Deputy Director of NIH for Extramural Research) blog created some interest when she posted that new data showed the average age of first-time RO1 principal investigators (PhDs) has increased by 0.3 years per year from 1980 to 2001 leveling off at age 42. The age for MDs or MD/PhDs is actually higher. The comments following her blog are quite interesting and bring up several questions and points that may be critical to investigators (young and older).
Legislative Update …
We learned this week the full House Appropriations Committee addressed Capital Projects in which the House version included the full $28 million in bonds for the Education Commons facility. This is TREMENDOUS NEWS for the GHS enterprise so far. We still have work to do in the Senate but this is a step in the right direction. Our thanks to our faculty and staff working in the legislative body of the enterprise.
Upcoming Dates and Events …
HEAL Students Events – March 8th-16th MCG Penny War, Hamilton Wing Lobby and MCG Dean’s Office, Join students and faculty as they compete to raise CENTS!
March 14-15th – 2012 Patient Family Center Care Conference, “Embracing Quality and Clinical Growth While Interacting with Patients and Family”, BT 1810
March 17th – Augusta’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Downtown Augusta, 2-9pm , HEAL students will be walking in the parade to raise awareness of women’s health issues and the services provided by Belle Terrace!
March 17th – Georgia Health Sciences Vision Discovery Institute “Night with the RiverHawks”, 7:35 p.m., James Brown Arena, Augusta RiverHawks vs. Columbus Cottonmouths. Like last year, the RiverHawks players will be wearing St. Patrick’s Day jerseys. Following the game, these jerseys will be auctioned off with the proceeds going to the Vision Discovery Institute. Tickets can be purchased at the box office or by calling 706-993-2645 x108. Use the code “GHSUVDI” when ordering tickets for the group rate.
March 22– Teaching with Technology Series, AB 108, Dr. Erik G. Van Eaton, University of Washington Assistant Professor, Surgery and Critical Care will give presentations on mobile solutions to complement electronic medical records systems and Dr. Jeffrey Taekman, Director of Duke University’s Human Simulation and Patient Safety Center will give a presentation on the shortcomings of health education and what can be done to improve it by using simulation technology. Learn more about the Teaching with Technology seminars and register at georgiahealth.edu/ce/teachingtech.
March 24th – 2nd Annual GHSU/UGA Medical Partnership SGO Golf Tournament, 8:30 a.m. UGA Golf Course. The 2012 proceeds will benefit the Children’s Specialty Services at St. Mary’s Healthcare System and the academic endeavors of the students at the Partnership Campus. For more information call Alison (706)-369-5923.
SAVE THE DATE …
April 24th – President’s Lecture Series Continues – Dr. Linda Burns Bolton will be the guest speaker
April 26-29th – GHSU Homecoming, Various campus and community locations, more info forthcoming
May 4th – MCG Dean’s State of the College Address, 12 Noon, Large Auditorium
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. Faculty are encouraged to visit http://georgiahealth.edu/students/graduation/ to register for the event and request regalia. The deadline to order faculty regalia is Friday, March 16th!
May 14th – National Peace Officers Day
Don’t’ forget the time changes to daylight savings time and “spring forward” on Saturday night. Best wishes for a wonderful weekend.