“You are here to enrich the world and you impoverish yourself if you forget this errand.”
– Woodrow Wilson
April 19, 2013
Dear Friends and Colleagues:
Taking a moment to reflect… Tragedy and Heroism
The Medical College of Georgia sends heartfelt thoughts and prayers for those victimized by Monday’s tragedy at the Boston Marathon. As stories from the event surface, so many individuals have been linked in some way to the tragedy and to the swift and sure action of first responders and medical professionals. Here at MCG, we have a special pride for Dr. J. Allan Panter (MCG, ’81), an emergency medicine physician waiting on the sidelines for his wife Theresa to finish the race. He didn’t stand on the sidelines long, rather followed his instincts to the side of those who needed him. Dr. Panter’s skill and compassion are a terrific reminder of why we do what we do and how the impact of our medical school and its graduates reverberates in so many ways. Here is a link to one of many stories of tragedy and heroism — http://bit.ly/Z5Se8r
When the FBI Calls, Emergency Medicine Answers … Serving our Country
Speaking of impact and heroism, our Department of Emergency Medicine, led by Dr. Richard Schwartz, has worked for a decade to provide medical support to the FBI in its field operations. Wow- what an awesome source of pride for our Medical College and our state. Just recently the Department along with Vighter Medical Group out of Minnesota signed up to provide this essential support for five more years. Vighter and MCG ensure physician or medic support on the ground or on the phone as needed. Additionally we’ll help arrange transport of injured individuals to medical facilities, set up field hospitals and train the FBI’s medics. A good time to remember that closer to home, our GRU Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of Georgia are yet another incredible frontline as the region’s Level 1 Trauma centers. Check out this link — http://bit.ly/Zud9S9.
Looking Ahead … Great Job Educating the next generation of Front-Liners…
Educating the next generation is what we are about and our Emergency Medicine Department is doing a great job with that as well. The Emergency Medicine Residency Review Committee has recognized our Emergency Medicine residency training as one of the elite training programs in the country for their substantial compliance with training requirements. Great job goes to all of our hard-working residency and fellowship training programs. We are delighted that so many of our programs are being recognized for these achievements.
Making International Noise …Good use of Brain Power…
Dr. David Blake, assistant professor of neurology and a member of the BBDI joined an international round of presenters to discuss his research on neuroplasticity studies with brain implants. Check out the video of his presentation at the BIOVISION World Life Sciences Forum in Lyon, France at http://bit.ly/10iW0KG. You’ll have to enter any email address to register then click on his name. Dr. Blake is already scheduled to speak in Alexandria, Egypt next year. Way to go!
Leadership Development… Advancing Our Leaders… We Value You
Congratulations to Dr. James Rawson for his recent certificate of achievement from Academy of Radiology Leadership and Management (ARLM). The three-year long courses aid in leadership and in balancing the clinical, education, and research missions. It is encouraging that our faculty is taking these extra leadership steps. Dr. Rawson is currently one of the only eight Radiologists that have obtained this distinction. Check out this link to learn more about ARLM leaders — http://on.fb.me/17IN1GX
Also, please join me in congratulating Dr. Martha Tingen on being accepted as a fellow in the 2013-2014 Class of the Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) Program. She will begin her role this summer. ELAM’s fellows share the conviction that academic health centers must change in response to today’s societal, technological, and market forces and to playing a leadership role in guiding this process. We are excited for Dr. Tingen as she begins this program. Click here to learn more about ELAM — http://bit.ly/15g9jA1
What a delightful honor for Dr. Andy Albritton who was recently inducted as a master of the American College of Physicians. The ACP serves as a national organization of internists who offer professional expertise to the diagnosis, treatment, and compassionate care of adults. Sounds like the perfect definition of Dr. Albritton! We are pleased that one of our own is part of the 133,000 internists paving the way for the future of health care in internal medicine. Well done Dr. Albritton! Check out this link to learn more – http://bit.ly/100iCfD
Student Government Association… Leadership Pipeline
Young leaders were in great supply at the recent and invigorating Annual Student Government Association banquet. What a great way to honor our future leaders. Many thanks to Jeff Foley for his remarks on leadership. It was a truly wonderful event and great to see so many promising future leaders at the banquet. Finally, we appreciate the direction of Ms. Kathi Becker as we develop institution-wide leadership development training and career opportunities.
Junior Medical League… Another Incredible Community effort…
The Junior Medical League recently had their White Coat Ceremony honoring 14 of our first- and second-year students who volunteered at the Dogwood Terrace Boys and Girls Club. Our students, along with friends from other colleges, mentor and tutor the children. Students who spent the most time doing this incredible service get a white coat as a symbol of their dedication. Dr. Kelvin Moses also stole the show with his motivational message about working hard, staying in school and listening to parents. Many thanks to the JML and the Office of Diversity for their help in this wonderful effort and event. Click here to see images– http://on.fb.me/17IN1GX
Tremendous Dedication of Many… Employee/Faculty Recognition…
Several of our employees and faculty were honored at the recent Employee and Faculty Service Recognition Breakfast at the Kroc Center for 5, 10, 15 and 20 years of service. Thanks so very much for all you do.
March of Dimes… Wonderful Cause… Great Community Spirit
We are happy to report that so far, 33 of our medical students have volunteered to serve as event staff for the 2013 March of Dimes Walk for Babies. In the past two years, the March of Dimes has awarded over $600,000 to our university for child health research. The March of Dimes is renowned in funding research for premature births, birth defects, and infant health. The event will be held on Saturday, May 4. Check out the events listing for more information.
Losing Another One of our Own… a Great Physician … Great MCG Supporter
We are sad to share with you news of the death of Dr. Henry G. Mealing. He was an accomplished and revered North Augusta, S.C., rheumatologist and great friend of MCG. A graduate of the Medical University of South Carolina who completed his residency here, Dr. Mealing was on our faculty for 27 years, serving as a Professor of Medicine in the Section of Rheumatology. His accomplishments including serving as President of Georgia Society of Rheumatology. Dr. Mealing was a founding member of the Department of Medicine’s Sydenstricker Society and his family endowed the Glover-Mealing Chair in honor of his mother. Our thoughts and eternal thanks are with his family. Please visit this link to share your thoughts — http://bit.ly/XRvVoq
Upcoming Events…
April 18 – By now, you are seeing the new logo around campus and may have already used it in some way. To learn more about GRU’s new brand, join the OCM department at the Jaguar Student Activities Center Coffeehouse on the Summerville Campus on Thursday, April 18 at noon. At the Brown Bag Branding Workshop: Introduction to Branding you will get your questions about the new brand answered. Check out this link to register — http://bit.ly/YVxJw0
April 18-20 – The SGEA meeting in Savannah will be held at the Hyatt Regency. For more information please go to http://bit.ly/Zq7MkO
April 19 – The 11th Annual Raft Debate is near and our faculty are figuring out how to not sink with the ship during the hypothetical debate about which specialty should survive. Come out and join the tradition at 6 p.m., in the GRU Wellness Center. Follow this link to know more — http://bit.ly/XDm6dt
April 19 – Think Green, Live Green, Work Green— EARTH DAY will be celebrated on April 19 on the Health Sciences Campus from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. GRU and Paine College will partner in celebrating the event encouraging the Augusta community to “go green.” Check out more information here — http://bit.ly/17Ha9Wi
April 20 – Come show off your muscles at the 13th annual MedWAR. The event will be held at Fort Gordon. Racers will mountain bike and canoe while navigating to checkpoints containing wilderness medicine scenarios and questions. Teams of four can contact cpogue@gru.edu for registration or to volunteer or visit http://www.medwar.org to register.
April 20 – In observance of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the 4th Annual Take Back the Day 5K Run/Walk will take place on Saturday, April 20 at the D. Douglas Barnard Jr. Amphitheatre on the Summerville Campus. Registration for the walk/run begins at 7:30 am and will be followed by a kick-off ceremony at 8:30 a.m. with the race beginning at 8:45 am. To register, visit www.active.com. That Thursday, April 25, at 6 p.m. the 17th annual Take Back the Night Rally will be held at the Maxwell Theatre lawn on the Summerville Campus.
April 24 – Tune in April 24 at 7 p.m. to the PBS special “Primary Concern” which features three of our primary care community clinical faculty Dr. Jean Sumner, Dr. William Rawlings and Dr. Jim Hotz. Read more about it here — http://bit.ly/Zn55i6 & http://bit.ly/10LwfTu
April 26 – Dr. Delos Cosgrove, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cleveland Clinic, will give a guest lecture in honor of Drs. Robert & Lois Ellison in the Lee Auditorium, 3 to 4 p.m. Earlier that day, Dr. Cosgrove will make a special presentation to GRU leadership, community leaders and key alumni at the Marriott Hotel and Convention Center from noon to 1 p.m.
April 27 – MCG graduates will gather at the Alumni Weekend for our institution. The MCG classes of ’48,’53,’58, ’63,’73,’78,’83, ’88, ’93, ’98 and ’03 are having reunions this year. Please remember to register – http://www.gru.edu/alumniweekend/
April 29 – MCG Faculty Awards Ceremony starts at 5:15 p.m. in the Lee Auditorium.
April 30 – The Annual Sydenstricker Society Medicine Grand Rounds will occur at noon in the Lee Auditorium. Dr. Arthur M. Feldman, Executive Dean of Temple University School of Medicine, is this year’s speaker and will present on “The Genetics of Dilated Cardiomyopathy: Is It Time for Personalized Heart Failure Therapy?”
April 30– Georgia Regents University’s president, Dr. Ricardo Azziz will provide a presidential address from noon to 1 p.m. in the Lee Auditorium on the Health Sciences Campus. Lunch will be provided for the first 300 attendees.
May 3 – Save the date! The annual State of the Medical College address is Friday, May 3 at noon. More details coming soon.
May 4 – Put your walking shoes on and come to join our medical students for the 2013 March of Dimes Walk for Babies at Lake Olmstead Park at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 4. To learn more about how to register go here– http://bit.ly/ZroYIM and the events page here– http://bit.ly/Zs06AN
May 6 – Save this date, too! Please come to congratulate our colleagues at the Annual Spring Faculty Assembly on May 6 at 5:30-7:30 p.m. The location is TBD, the invite — http://bit.ly/springfaculty
May 9 – MCG Hooding begins at 2 p.m. in the Bell Auditorium.
May 10 – Medical College of Georgia at GRU will graduate 200 medical students at 2 p.m. at the James Brown Arena.
May 24 – Summit on Global Health, hosted by the Fulbright Academy of Science and Technology, May 24-27, Montego Bay, Jamaica. See http://bit.ly/YJasZD
June 13 – MCG Chair Investiture Ceremony, starts at 5 p.m. in the Lee Auditorium.
Have you checked out our new MCG Facebook page at www.facebook.com/grumcg? We now have a Twitter page as well #Follow.
Have a great weekend.