“We Often Take For Granted the Very Things That Most Deserve Our Gratitude.” ~Cynthia Ozick
November 11, 2011
Dear Colleagues and Friends:
Veteran’s Day … An Honor to Those Who So Bravely Serve Our Country …
Our nation’s soldiers serve every day to protect our country and its ideals. Just yesterday, the Marine Corps turned 236 years old. Take a sacred moment to remember all the men and women in every branch of our military who sacrifice their lives every second to achieve peace and democracy.
Congratulations to University Hospital … A Quality Leader …
University Hospital is one of 37 facilities across the nation receiving the highest award possible for helping keep patients from contracting pneumonia while on a ventilator … a key patient safety measure. We want to congratulate University Hospital for achieving a zero rate (365 days without a case) of ventilator-associated pneumonia.
Congratulations to East Central Georgia Regional Hospital … Perfect Score …
Congratulations and many thanks for the outstanding leadership of Ms. Nan Lewis, hospital administrator and the staff of East Central Georgia Regional Hospital for achieving a PERFECT score on the recent CMS survey of their developmental disability clinical services. We are very proud of our partnership and wish continued success for ECGRH.
Chancellor’s Investiture … USG’s 12th Chancellor … Stellar Leadership at the Helm …
Henry “Hank” Huckaby was invested this week as the 12th Chancellor of the University System of Georgia. Dr. Azziz attended this uplifting event. Chancellor Huckaby pledged to help effect a transformation to a more highly educated Georgia. To meet the challenges the university system faces, he is focusing on three long-term strategies: performance, partnerships, and value … Mr. Huckaby said, “The goal is not merely to have more. It is also to be more. The University System will be the state’s most powerful economic asset.”
Inaugural Lectureship for Dr. Lois Ellison … A Fitting Tribute to a Wonderful Colleague
Recently the Department of Physiology Inaugural Lois Taylor Ellison, MD lectureship was held with a subsequent reception. The lectureship was established in 2011 to bring outstanding and distinguished leaders in Physiology to our campus. Dr. Marlene Rabinovitch, Professor at Stanford, was a perfect inaugural speaker and a huge success. Our thanks to Dr. Clinton Webb and the Department of Physiology for organizing this event. What a way to honor Dr. Ellison.
Check It Out … State of the College Addresses … Opportunities for Greater Leverage …
Dr. Connie Drisko, Dean College of Dental Medicine and Dr. Lucy Marion, Dean College of Nursing recently gave their State of the College Addresses. Accomplishments, change, team work, visions, and missions were on the table for both Dean Drisko and Dean Marion. We look forward to continuing our partnerships with the other colleges at GHSU.
Posters Highlighted …. Medical Scholars Research Day … GHSU-UGA Medical Partnership
Second year medical student Mr. Justin Brooten with Advisor Nikolay Filipov, PhD (UGA Mentor) presented on the role of EGR1 (Early Growth Response Factor 1, a transcription factor with a seemingly ubiquitous role in signaling processes) in Parkinson’s Disease. When administering an agent known to induce neuroinflamation and microglia activation, EGR1 deficient, knockout mice showed reduced motor deficits, inflammation and neurononal lost relative to ‘regular’ mice. This elegant study illuminates the potential role of EGR1 in neurodegenerative process in Parkinson’s Disease. Dr. Nikolay relayed, “Justin had a busy summer in my lab … hands-on experience with anesthesia, stereotaxic surgery and drug administration, behavioral and neurochemical analyses. My hope is that upon graduation from the medical school he would consider medical research as a career option, neurology residence, or both.” Congratulations to Justin.
Recruitment Season for Our Future Students and Residents …
Our Admissions and Graduate Medical Education Offices are busy with prospective students and residents on campus. You will see them walking around campus as they interview and tour. Please welcome them and answer any questions they may have. Recruiting the best and brightest to our institution is everybody’s business. Thank you for your support.
Upcoming Dates and Events …
November 14, 21, and 28 at 1 pm in the Lee Auditorium – Q&A Session Regarding Email
Email Q&A sessions on changing over from GroupWise to Microsoft Outlook. For more information, please visit georgiahealth.edu/itss/exchange
November 16 at 12 Noon – Memorial Service for Dr. Alan Roberts
We are asking everyone to gather to remember Dr. Alan Roberts for his leadership and dedication to MCG and GHSU. Come share in the memories of Dr. Roberts.
November 16 at 5:30 pm – GHSU Annual Medical Staff Meeting – BT 1810
All medical staff members are encouraged to attend. Contact the Medical Staff Office at 1-3928 for more information.
November 17 at 5 pm – PPG Membership Meeting – Alumni Center
All PPG members are encouraged to attend.
November 18 at 12 noon – Lee Auditorium – MCG Faculty Senate Meeting
Brief business meeting to take place as well as talks from Drs. Michael Edwards, Surgery, William Rainey, Physiology, and David King and Roman Cirbirka on Library 2020.
November 30 at 8:30 am – Employee Recognition Event – Kroc Center
A breakfast event to honor Georgia Health Sciences University, Medical Center, and Medical Associates, faculty and staff with 5 – 20 years of service.
December 2 – ‘A Red Carpet Affair’ GHSU MCG Talent Show, 6:30 to 9 pm – Lee Auditorium
The esteemed panel of judges will be Drs. Azziz, McKie, and Ganapathy. All proceeds will be donated to the Christmas Party benefiting children with HIV infection. Contact Vijay Palvia, Director (vpalvia@georgiahealth.edu) for more information.
December 2 – 2012 SGEA Conference Submission Deadline
University of Kentucky COM will host the 2012 Regional Conference of the Southern Group on Educational Affairs (SGEA) ‘Best Practices in Medical Education: Bring Us Your Best, April 19-21, 2012. Visit the website at http://www.cecentral.com/live/2874.
December 6 – 6:30 pm – Employee Recognition Event – Kroc Center
A dinner event to honor Georgia Health Sciences University, Medical Center, and Medical Associates, faculty and staff with 25 – 40 years of service.
December 8-10, Beginning at 6 am – 2011 Cares for Kids Radiothon
Radio stations 104.3 WBBQ and 96.3 Kiss FM will broadcast live from the lobby of the Georgia Health Sciences Children’s Medical Center. Pledges can be made anytime through the online giving portal at www.georgiahealth.org/giving and during the Radiothon by calling 1-877-719-KIDS (5437).
December 14 – President’s Lecture Series – Lee Auditorium
As part of the President’s Lecture Series we are now focusing on Research with Dr. Gautam Chaudhuri as the next Guest Lecturer. Dr. Chaudhuri is a Distinguished Professor in the departments of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology and ObGyn at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Dr. Chaudhuri will be presenting his President’s Lecture Series talk on “Free Radicals and Their Interactions: Implications in Breast Cancer” and a grand rounds lecture on “Hormone Therapy and Cardiovascular Disease: The Estrogen Paradox”. More information will be forthcoming regarding Dr. Chaudhuri’s visit. Please mark your calendars for his visit.