Dear Medical College of Georgia friends,

Annual Statewide Faculty Development Meeting gives us a chance to connect and thank our clinical faculty

Our annual Statewide Faculty Development Conference is always a highlight of the summer for me. Two weeks ago, we had the opportunity to gather on beautiful Jekyll Island with 170 of our colleagues who share in the important work of teaching our students across Georgia. This is always a special time to reconnect, learn from one another, and celebrate the people who truly are the heart of MCG. I often say our “secret sauce” is our statewide network of campuses, and this conference is a perfect reminder of why. The commitment and quality of our faculty are second to none, and we simply could not educate one of the nation’s largest medical school classes, let alone do it as well as we do, without them. It was especially meaningful to see strong participation from all nine campuses, along with our partners at Federally Qualified Health Centers and Community Health Centers. This conference is one small way we can say thank you to those who help expose our students to the full spectrum of health care needs across our state, and to the many ways they can make a difference.

MCG is partnered with 24 FQHCs and Community Health Centers across Georgia

One of the many moments that stood out to me was spending time with Dr. Bradley Newton – an OB/Gyn, Southeast Campus site director, and the son of our 1988 graduate and State Representative Dr. Mark Newton. The younger Dr. Newton made the decision to leave private practice to join Curtis Cooper Primary Health Care in Savannah, an FQHC that has been educating MCG students since 2021. Hearing him and his colleague, family medicine physician Dr. Eric Davis – who actually came to medicine after a career as a trial lawyer – talk about their work was inspiring. We also had other great FQHC partners there like Dr. Dave Ringer from Oconee Valley Health Care; Jennie Wren Denmark from East Georgia Healthcare Center; Carla Belcher from Community Health Care Systems; and Dave Ward from MedLink Georgia.

The enthusiasm and commitment these great partners have for patient care and teaching the next generation, is an example of exactly what makes our statewide network so special. I’m proud to say that, thanks to the hard work of Drs. Ashley Saucier and Joe Hobbs, we are now partnered with a total of 24 FQHCs and Community Health Centers across the state, giving MCG learners important experiences serving rural, underserved communities and other medically vulnerable populations. Fourteen of those were represented at the conference.

Educators from each regional campus are honored each year

We also had the opportunity to recognize outstanding faculty from each of our regional campuses. These individuals are selected by their colleagues and our students for the impact they make every day, not only in teaching, but in mentoring, inspiring and shaping the kind of physicians our students are becoming. There is certainly no shortage of faculty who go above and beyond, and each campus takes the time to highlight one individual each year who truly stands out.

This year’s honorees were: Dr. Brian Maloney, a facial plastic surgeon who teaches students from the AU/UGA Medical Partnership in Athens; From the Southwest Campus, Dr. Kristin Yates, an OB/Gyn in Tifton who directs Tift Regional’s residency program; Dr. Sandra Rodriguez-Sfeir, a pediatrician who teaches students at our Atlanta Campus at Wellstar Kennestone; Dr. Keisha Callins, an OB/Gyn at Community Health Care Systems, one of our FQHC partners; Dr. Julia Mikell, a 1976 MCG graduate and neurologist at St. Joseph’s Candler who teaches at our Savannah Campus; From our Northwest Campus (Rome), Dr. David Hale, also an MCG graduate (2005) and neurologist at Atrium Health Floyd and the Harbin Clinic; and Dr. Ashish Kabir, another neurologist at Vitruvian Health at our Northwest Campus in Dalton. These incredible faculty truly make our statewide mission possible and it is always an honor to have the opportunity to thank them.

Rep. Butch Parrish honored as Healthcare Champion of the Year

We also had the chance to recognize one of MCG’s strongest partners at the state level. State Rep. Butch Parrish of Swainsboro, who was named our Healthcare Champion of the Year for his longstanding leadership in strengthening Georgia’s physician workforce and expanding access to care. From championing new residency programs in high-need specialties and supporting the development of our Savannah campus, to advancing initiatives like matching funding from the state for our Peach State Scholars program, and securing funding the $99.8 million Translational Research Building, Chairman Parrish’s commitment continues to make a meaningful impact on medical education and patient care across our state.

His steady support has helped expand training opportunities in rural and underserved communities, ensuring more Georgians have access to the care they need. We are grateful for his partnership and shared vision for a stronger, healthier Georgia.

I would also be remiss here if I did not extend my thanks to our Office of Faculty Development and Educational Research, especially Associate Dean Dr. Michelle Krupp and Clerkship Coordinator Lauren Watkins, for the months of work that goes into ensuring this event is successful each and every year. I’m sure they’re already thinking about ways to make next year even better than this one.

MCG is the first Georgia-based medical school to adopt new HHS and DOE nutrition curriculum

Seeing the impact our faculty continue to make across Georgia is both inspiring and a reminder of the importance of continually strengthening how we prepare our students. That’s the mission of the Statewide Faculty Development Conference. But the work doesn’t stop there. I’m excited to share an important development in our curriculum and MCG’s expanding role in shaping the future of medical education.

We have committed to joining the national Nutrition Education Initiative led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education, making us the first Georgia-based medical school to do so. This initiative addresses a long-recognized gap in medical education. Nutrition has historically been underrepresented in most medical school curricula, despite the enormous burden of diet-related chronic disease. Beginning this year, we will integrate a minimum of 40 hours of required nutrition instruction, or a competency-based equivalent, across all four years of the curriculum. Students will see nutrition incorporated into foundational science courses, organ-system modules, and their clinical rotations, with an emphasis on practical counseling skills and understanding the role nutrition plays in chronic disease.

Our boots on the ground here who will help us implement this new curriculum are Drs. Shilpa Brown, Nicole Winston, Wanda Jirau-Rosaly, Carolyn Zahler and Elena Dent, (from the AU Graduate School). Their vision, leadership, and dedication have been instrumental in developing this groundbreaking initiative. It’s a solid, evidence-based update that will help us better prepare future physicians and keeps MCG doing what it’s always done – leading meaningful change in medical education for Georgia and beyond. Thank you all.

Applied Molecular Pathology Internship is helping build a future workforce of laboratory professionals

As we prepare future physicians for a healthcare landscape that is changing rapidly, we not only have to strengthen our curriculum, but we must also find ways to grow a pipeline of future talent. Here’s one way our Department of Pathology is doing just that.

Their Applied Molecular Epidemiology (AME) Summer Internship, supported by the CDC’s Pathogen Genomics Centers of Excellence and aimed at building and sustaining a strong pipeline of qualified laboratory professionals, welcomed its second cohort to campus this month. Fourteen high school and undergraduate students from across Georgia are here for four weeks of hands-on, lab-based training in genomic epidemiology and bioinformatics – the tools that shape how today’s outbreaks get spotted and understood. Each intern will also apply what they have learned in a report using bioinformatics analyses on real epidemiological and molecular data from a recent or ongoing infectious disease outbreak. Another cool highlight came this week when Capt. Kevin Caspary of the U.S. Air Force visited from Atlanta to walk the group through his mobile molecular testing lab that was used during the COVID-19 response. Getting an up-close look at that kind of technology is a great way to bring these careers to life and hopefully sparks lasting enthusiasm and curiosity and encourage these students to consider careers in public health.

Dr. Martha Terris appointed to American Urologic Association Board of Directors

Switching gears a little, we recently learned that Dr. Martha Terris, chair of our Department of Urology, has been selected by the Southeastern Section of the American Urological Association to serve as its representative on the AUA Board of Directors.

A federally funded investigator and recipient of the AUA’s 2022 Distinguished Service Award, Dr. Terris has trained generations of urologists and built a long and distinguished career focused on advancing care for patients with prostate and bladder cancers. She has been widely recognized not only for her clinical expertise and research contributions, but also for her commitment to education and mentorship. This appointment ensures she will help shape the “national voice” of urology on policies that impact both clinical practice and patient care. I have no doubt she will represent MCG, and the patients we are privileged to serve, exceptionally well.

Inaugural cohort of Peach State Scholars celebrate end of residency training

Speaking of groups I know will represent MCG well, we had the opportunity to celebrate our inaugural cohort of Peach State Scholars this month. It’s hard to believe it has been five years since we welcomed these students into the 3+ PGY1 pathway program, and now they are completing their residency training and preparing to practice in rural and underserved communities across Georgia.

This program reflects one of the most important parts of our mission – improving access to care for all Georgians, particularly in areas where the need is greatest. By investing early in students who are committed to serving these communities, we are helping address critical physician shortages while strengthening the long-term health of our state. And it would not be possible without support from Peach State Health Plan, the State of Georgia and our generous donors.

It is especially rewarding to see this first group come full circle, from students who made a commitment to serve, to physicians ready to make a meaningful impact. Their work will not only improve access to care but also strengthen the healthcare infrastructure in communities that depend on it. We couldn’t be prouder of the example they’ve set, and we look forward to seeing the difference they will make in the years ahead.

Our inaugural cohort includes: Dr. Claud Bugheni, who will practice emergency medicine in McDuffie County; Dr. Michael Butler, an internist who will be based in Thomson; Dr. Luis Rodriguez, who is returning home to Tifton to practice emergency medicine; Dr. Arika Shaikh, who will practice family medicine in Dawsonville; and Dr. My Duyen Hoang Vo-Simmons, a pediatrician who will practice in Blairsville.

Deadline to donate a stethoscope to a member of the MCG Class of 2030 is June 30

Our faculty, staff and students certainly make a difference every day in the lives of patients and communities across Georgia and beyond. Here is a simple, meaningful way to make a difference for them as they begin that journey.

Thanks to the generosity of our alumni, faculty and friends – and an endowment from Dr. Melvin L. Haysman, ’71, and his wife, Mrs. Roberta Kamine-Haysman – our Alumni Association has been able to place a stethoscope in the hands of every first-year medical student. It’s a tradition we are proud of, and one we hope to continue for each new class. For many of our students, this is more than just a piece of equipment. It’s the first real symbol that they are stepping into the profession they have worked so hard to join. It’s also a reminder that they are part of a community that believes in them and is invested in their success. I can think of no better way to welcome our newest colleagues than with an MCG-branded stethoscope and a personal note of encouragement. It’s a small gesture that carries a lasting message: you belong here, and you are now part of something bigger than yourself.

The deadline to purchase a stethoscope for a member of our incoming Class of 2030 in June 30. Find out how to purchase one…or more here.

My best to you all,

David C. Hess, MD

Dean, Medical College of Georgia

Upcoming Events

June 26 – MCG Faculty Senate Meeting, noon, Natalie and Lansing B. Lee Jr. Auditorium