“Individual commitment to a group effort — that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.” ~ Vince Lombardi
October 21, 2011
Dear Colleagues and Friends:
Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Medical Society … “To Be Worthy To Serve Our Suffering” …
It is a real privilege and pleasure to recognize our colleagues who were recently inducted into the AOA. This recognition places them with the ‘best of the best’. Please join us in congratulating our new members: Ms. Tara Buehler, Ms. Yasamin Chowdry, Ms. Catherine Cook, Mr. Steven Coward, Ms. Elizabeth Dewald, Mr. Albert D’Heurle, Ms. Sarah Eriksen, Ms. Lauren Fox, Ms. Cassie Grimsley, Mr. Phillip Ham, Mr. Davis Horkan, Ms. Jessica Lee, Ms. Stephanie Mastrangelo, Ms. Lane Miller, Ms. Anna-Marieta Moise, Ms. Tanios Wanna, Dr. Kathleen Mahoney, Dr. Lawrence Layman, and alumni, Dr. Lisa Bernstein who also will receive the 2012 Herbert Waxman Award for Outstanding Medical Student Educator of the American College of Physicians.
Legacy of Leadership … The Medical Association of Georgia …
It was invigorating to be at last weekend’s Annual Meeting of the Medical Association of Georgia to see Dr. Dan DeLoach hand over the reins as President of MAG to Dr. Sandra Reed – both of whom are MCG Alumni. Additionally, Dr. Scott Bohlke, Immediate Past President of MCG Alumni Association, was appointed President-Elect of MAG. Mr. Scott Henson and Ms. Samantha Mellinger hosted a booth that attracted a lot of interest. MCG was also well represented by many senior faculty and leaders including Drs. Joseph Bailey and Peter Payne as well as by our medical students Mr. Brett Heimlich, Mr. Matt West, and Mr. Russell Kirk. Interesting, a ‘show of hands’ revealed that about 1-in-5 attendees were MCG alumni. Our alumni’s leadership and impact upon medicine in Georgia is substantial and gratifying.
HOST Program … Alumni Volunteers Across the Country …
Our Alumni Association has recently started the HOST Program. This program consists of alumni volunteers who allow fourth year medical students to stay in their homes while visiting for residency interviews, helping reduce medical student’s travel expenses. This program (www.georgiahealth.edu/alumni/host or alumni@georgiahealth.edu) also provides students with alumni connections and allows students to become better acquainted with the city/medical community they are visiting … A great way to foster our ‘Legacy of Leadership’.
AAMC Nickens Award Announced … Prestigious Medical Student Award …
Please join us in congratulating Ms. LaShon Sturgis on receiving one of four Nickens Awards presented to medical students at the upcoming AAMC meeting. The award is given to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to promoting justice in medical education and health care equities for people in the United States. LaShon is the first MCG Student ever to receive this award. This is a tremendous recognition for LaShon and her work over the years – and for our institution.
A Winning Mobile Application … Infusing Technology Into Medical Education …
Congratulations also to Mr. Michael Bykhovsky (SW Campus Student, 2013) in winning the 2011 AMA APP Challenge by developing a mobile application called JAMA Clinical Challenge. Click http://www.ama-assn.org/resources/amaidealab/finalists.shtml to learn more about his app.
Inaugural Board of Visitors …
Dr. Azziz recently hosted GHSU’s Board of Visitors which is comprised of leaders from across Georgia. Our partners were energized about our biomedical research and the opportunity for technological transfer development across our state. There was lively discussion and great feedback. This new powerful partnership will be a great asset guiding us to be at the forefront of medicine and biomedical research.
Check it out … Infusing Genomic Into Clinical Care … Towards Personalized Medicine
Although we are still at a nascent stage of implementing our electronic health record, the long-term impact will be substantial. Advances in electronic health records, biorepository access and integration, as well as a shift toward preventative and population-based care also set the state for the integration of genomics into healthcare. Check out a recent article on personalized medicine … Dr. Hudson provides a remarkably clear account of the opportunities and challenges in her article (Genomics, Health Care and Society: NEJM 2011; 365: 1033-41). The ever increasing sophistication and availability of genomic technologies is evidence that we are moving (albeit slower than anyone would like) toward an era of personalized medicine. A great read!
Upcoming Dates and Events …
October 1-31 – Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Wear pink during October to show your support for breast cancer awareness, research, and survivors. Also, on Saturdays in October, schedule a routine mammogram at the Breast Health Center between 10 am and 2 pm.
October 22 – William Swiggart, MS, LPC, Presentation – 8 am to Noon – Alumni Center
Please join us for a presentation on Physician Wellness and dealing with distressed physician colleagues as well as maintaining proper boundaries. Mr. Swiggart is from the Center for Professional Health at Vanderbilt Medical Center. RSVP to catadams@georgiahealth.edu.
October 22 – MCG Alumni Reception 6:00 – 8:00 pm – Augusta Country Club
Please join us on Saturday for an alumni reception for all past medicine graduates, interns, residents and fellows. There will be fun and fellowship with old classmates and colleagues as well as institutional updates. Contact alumni@georgiahealth.edu for additional information.
October 23 – GHSU Faculty Spouse Club Ice Cream Social – 2-4 pm River Island Pavilion
Bring your family for an afternoon of fun with a ‘do-it-yourself’ ice cream sundae bar, cookie station, nature trails, and lots of fun. RSVP to SusanSalibury@comcast.net. Faculty Spouse Club information http://www.georgiahealthfsc.com/
October 24-25 – Advances in Warrior Care Symposium – Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center
Please join us for the First Augusta Research Symposium on Advances in Warrior Care. Key experts will be hosting forums about current needs in warrior care & treatment and the research community. Please see http://www.georgiahealth.edu/research/warriorcare/ for more information.
October 25, 26, & 28 – Town Hall Meetings with Dr. Gretchen Caughman and Mr. David Hefner
Please plan to attend one of these meetings to hear exciting updates about Georgia Health Sciences University. http://www.georgiahealth.edu/about/leadership/townhall.html
October 26 – GHSU-MCG 10th Annual Practice Opportunity Medical Fair – 10 am – 2 pm
Representatives and physician recruiters from hospitals throughout Georgia will be available at the Alumni Center to discuss practice opportunities with Interns, Residents, and Fellows. Please call Mary or Lynette, GME office, for more information.
October 27 – Hallelujah for Health
This ‘Benefit Concert’ is to raise funds for projects and operations of the CSRA Partnership for Community Health. Please join us at 7 pm at Paine College for a worthy cause.
October 28 – Great Strides Fore CF Golf Tournament – Forest Hills Golf Club
Registration begins at 11 am. Shotgun start at noon. All proceeds will go to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Please call Dr. Caralee Forseen for more info: 706-721-4658
November 3 – Inaugural Lois T Ellison, MD Lectureship in Physiology
We invite you to attend the Inaugural Lectureship where Dr. Marlene Rabinovitch will be the guest speaker – Health Sciences Building – 5 pm.
November 4-9 – Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Annual Meeting
AAMC will hold its annual meeting in Denver, CO this year. On Sunday evening November 6, MCG will host its annual reception honoring Dr. Ruth-Marie Fincher and Mr. David Hefner.
November 8 – Informational Research Meeting – First Year Students, Faculty & Mentors
Please join us at 5 pm in CL 1101 for this important meeting to gather information about research opportunities in the Dean’s Summer Research Program and Discovery Institutes. Contact Dr. Richard Cameron (rcameron@georgiahealth.edu or Dr. Kathy McKie (kmckie@georgiahealth.edu).
Enjoy this beautiful fall weekend.