Grandest intention

“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention”

~ Oscar Wilde

 

July 22, 2011

Dear Colleagues and Friends:

Synchronicity … Week 4 …

We have completed the 4th week of our big bang ‘go live’ and Synchronicity is running better now having resolved the slowness issues with the system. Providers are getting experience with Dragon and the integration with PowerNotes. Schedules in many areas have already returned to 100% – ahead of the anticipated time frame. Although successful overall, we do realize there are areas where we need to provide refined training for providers as well as fixing ‘kinks’ still in the system. These needs are being evaluated with more information to come shortly. The help line remains open and our on-site training staff will remain in place, so please feel free to call (706) 721-7455 if you experience issues. We appreciate your leadership and continued feedback with this initiative.

Our Northwest Georgia Clinical Campus …

We introduced you to Dr. Leonard Reeves, our new Campus Dean for our Northwest Georgia Clinical Campus several Dean’s Diaries ago and would now like to bring you up-to-date on the campus going-ons. Ms. Vicki Wiles is now our Clerkship Coordinator in NW Georgia. Ms. Wiles and Dr. Reeves have been busy preparing the campus for our students in 2013. We have space in Heritage Hall and renovations have been made. Faculty development is a major initiative of getting the campus ready. We look forward to visiting the campus shortly. Partnerships in medical education such as this throughout the state are addressing the shortage of physicians in Georgia.

‘Imaging Quality’ …

Following up on recent approval by the FDA, tomosynthesis mammography (3 D imaging) for breast cancer has now become available in our clinic. Drs. Suzanne Thigpen and James Craft are our physicians behind this excellent new technology. GHSU has also just recently become accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR) as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence – one of only a dozen in Georgia. This is an excellent accomplishment for our Department of Radiology. Congratulations to all involved.

Upcoming Dates and Events …

August 3, 4, and 5, 2011 – MCG Freshman Orientation

Orientation for our new students and their families. Classes begin Monday August 8.

August 3-4, 2011 – GHSU Diversity Summit

The mission of the Diversity Summit is three-fold: (1) to advance the dialogue about diversity and inclusion activities between interrelated organizations; (2) learn diversity and inclusion strategies and practices that have yielded successful outcomes both locally and beyond; and (3) participate in networking opportunities to build effective collaborations. You will be hearing more details in the near future. We are privileged that the summit will be the first ‘official’ event held at the Kroc Center. It was invigorating to attend last Sunday’s dedication of the center by the Salvation Army. The facilities are phenomenal and sit adjacent to the uniquely ornate Sibley Mill and Power Works. Interestingly, in 1862 Colonel George Washington Rains was responsible for building the Power Works and thereafter he taught chemistry here at the Medical College of Georgia- going on to later become Dean (the only non-physician ever to hold that position). We invite you to join us as we open the doors at the Kroc Center on August 3rd and 4th for the Diversity Summit and again on August 9th for the opening ceremony. This is a great opportunity for us to show our support of this wonderful addition to our community.

August 15, 2011 – 2011 STaR Conference Submission Deadline

The Southern Translational Education and Research (STaR) invites all investigators in the field of clinical and translational science to submit abstracts to be considered for presentation at the 2011 STaR Conference “Diabetes and Obesity: Lose to Win” being held September 15-16, 2011. Abstracts must include information on translational impact and will be awarded in three categories: graduate students, post-doctoral/resident, and young investigator/junior faculty. This year’s conference will be held at St. Paul’s Community Center and features key note presentations from Dr. Richard A. Cohen, Director of the Vascular Biology Section at Boston University and Dr. Catherine L. Davis from our Georgia Prevention Institute here at GHSU. For additional information, please visit www.rxugace.com/STAR. Last year’s conference was terrific and we encourage you to take part this year.

September 15, 2011 – Career Development 101 Program

This program is designed to help new junior faculty jumpstart their careers by getting a broad view of what a career in medical education is all about. Please contact Ms. Cora Harper charper@georgiahealth.edu for more information about this great program.

September 24, 2011 – GHSU Family Day and MCG White Coat Ceremony

You will be hearing ‘lots’ more about these two events. Family Day encompasses the entire GHSU Family. The MCG White Coat Ceremony will be held at 2:30 pm at Warren Baptist Church with a reception immediately following. We are encouraging a strong presence among our faculty so please mark your calendars.

School is starting all across the community in a few weeks … including our very own students. Enjoy what is left of the ‘summer vacation’.