“Nothing limits achievement like small thinking. Nothing equals
possibilities like unleashed thinking.”
~ William Arthur Ward
June 3, 2011
Dear Colleagues and Friends:
Please note that – in response to your helpful feedback earlier – the ‘Dean’s Diary’ has evolved to become shorter in length overall as well as with briefer sections. Please could you let me know if there are any other changes in format and/or content that you would like to see as we strive to communicate better and to meet your needs?
Synchronicity…. Launch Month is here!
We are counting down to the pilot go-live of Synchronicity. We are on time with our pilot go-live of June 7 and on schedule for the ‘big-bang’ go live on June 28. Training continues for all providers which includes physicians, residents, fellows, NPs, Pas, etc. Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, General Pediatrics, and Neurosciences providers should be trained prior to June 7. All other providers in the ambulatory arena need to be trained by June 21. Please see this link for the training calendar http://hi.georgiahealth.edu/trainMe/Default.asp?pickDate=5/1/2011. The design for posters, buttons for providers and nursing staff, and stickers for patients has been completed. Please visit our website at http://ehr.georgiahealth.edu/ for the FAQs. Much appreciation goes to all of you who have put in your time and effort to make this project a success.
Scholarships … We Thank YOU!
We want to acknowledge and show our gratitude to the Trustees of the Luther and Susie Harrison Foundation for their generous award to fund the scholarships of two or three medical students at the GHSU-UGA Medical Partnership with the greatest financial need and proven merit in academic performance for the upcoming 2011-2012 school year. Thank you to the Trustees, Keith Oelke and Eileen Brandon for your hard work and support in this endeavor.
Congratulations …
We would like to extend our congratulations to Dr. Gretchen Caughman on the recent appointment to Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost. Dr. Caughman was chosen for this leadership position after an extensive, seven-month national search. We are excited and look forward to continuing our relationship with Dr. Caughman. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Caughman the next time you see her.
Please join us also in congratulating Dr. Geoff Young, Associate Dean for Admissions in being elected Vice Chair of the Southern Group on Student Affairs for the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). This group is one of four regional organizations that facilitate communication between the AAMC and the medical school faculty. Dr. Young will serve a two-year term.
Extended Hours …
In a previous Dean’s Diary we told you about the Internal Medicine Faculty Practice Clinic extending its hours for GHSU and MCGHealth employees for acute visits. (In addition to regular hours, the clinic is open at 7 am on Tuesdays and Thursdays and Fridays 1-4 pm). We also want to tell you of the Eye Care Center extending its Optometry Practice hours to as early as 7 am and as late as 6 pm for employees.
Children’s Miracle Network …
We also want to remind you of the live broadcast on June 5 from 11 am to 6 pm (from the CMC lobby) of the Children’s Miracle Network on WRDW Channel 12. This is a wonderful event that benefits not only our children but our community as well. It gives all of us a chance to give to the CMC by donating either our time or our money. If you would like to volunteer, please call 706-721-4004.
You can also support the CMC by purchasing a T-shirt from the Health Center Credit Union (contact: (castewart@georgiahealth.edu). The T-shirt was designed by patient Dalton Miller.
Saving Lives With Effective CME …
A recent study in Annals of Family Medicine evaluated the impact of continuing medical education (CME) on patient outcomes. The study took place in Sweden with researchers who found that the patients of those physicians who participated in case-based training promoting evidence-based care for coronary heart disease had a 10-year mortality rate half that of patients whose physicians did not take the training. CME is considered much more than lectures and conferences and one-time only activities and has broadened to encompass also interactive-practice participation, and work experiences. Effective evidence-based CME will have an even greater role in the delivery of quality healthcare and we need to utilize all approaches for our providers.
Future Healthcare Providers on Campus…
Tomorrow, Saturday June 4th, 18 high school and 33 college students will come to GHSU to participate in the seven-week Student Educational Enrichment Program (SEEP). The overarching goals of the program are to: (1) Increase the number of students from minority, underrepresented and/or economically disadvantaged backgrounds choosing and entering careers in the health professions; and to (2) Identify, educationally prepare, and facilitate the entry, enrollment, and graduation of diverse students, who aspire to enter the health professions. Since 1979, 1769 students have participated in high school and college SEEP programs. Among high school participants, 92% enrolled in college within a year of the SEEP program and 81% entered the health/science pipeline. Among college participants, 65% (n=747) have enrolled in a health professions or graduate program at either GHSU or another institution. If you see these students on campus, please welcome them to GHSU as they are our future health care providers!
Dancing Stars of Augusta …
The inaugural Dancing Stars of Augusta will be Friday June 10 at 6 pm at the Bell Auditorium. Local ‘dancing stars’ are raising money for the Alzheimer’s Association, including Don Bailey, Deanna Brown-Thomas, Terra Carroll, Sean Franton, Julian Osbon, Austin Rhodes, and others. Please visit the website http://dancingstarsofaugusta.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=461344&lis=1&kntae461344=951BF26BDF4E4B6CBED1BE1B5E788914 for more information including how to donate money and vote for your favorite dancer.
Thank you for your feedback and all your continued support.