Dear Medical College of Georgia friends,

Dr. Kunzhe Dong earns $3.8 million NIH grant to study how the body may protect itself against atherosclerosis

Cardiovascular research has always been a hallmark of MCG. From pioneering work in vascular biology and hypertension to studies exploring the role of inflammation and the immune system in heart disease, our faculty are focused on some of the most pressing health challenges facing Georgians and people around the world.

One of the latest examples is Dr. Kunzhe Dong of the Immunology Center of Georgia, who has earned a five-year, $3.8 million NIH grant to study a molecule that may help protect blood vessels from atherosclerosis, the artery-clogging disease that causes most heart attacks and strokes. In fact, nearly half of U.S. adults have some degree of cardiovascular disease, and atherosclerosis remains one of its leading underlying causes.

Once thought of primarily as a cholesterol problem, we now understand that atherosclerosis is a much more complex disease involving chronic inflammation and the immune system.

This project is another example of how collaboration is at the center of MCG science

Dr. Dong’s research focuses on a molecule called PRDM16-DT, which is found at higher levels in healthy blood vessels. Early studies suggest it helps smooth muscle cells, the cells that give blood vessels their strength and structure, maintain their normal function. When its levels decline, those cells may become more vulnerable to the changes that contribute to plaque buildup and inflammation.

Through this new study, Dr. Dong and his team will investigate why PRDM16-DT levels decrease in cardiovascular disease, how genetic differences may influence its activity, and whether boosting its effects could help slow or prevent disease progression. Their work could result in entirely new approaches for treating atherosclerosis and reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke.

This work is also an example of MCG’s strong history of collaborative science and brings together expertise in cardiovascular medicine, genetics and immunology to tackle this important issue. I look forward to hearing more about what the team finds.

Georgia Cancer Center team receives $2.8 million to study improvements to pancreatic cancer treatment

Collaboration is certainly an integral part of our culture here. Here’s another example: A team of investigators at the Georgia Cancer Center, Dr. Nahid Mivechi, Dr. Xiongjie Jin and Dr. Dimitrios Moskofidis, has earned a five-year, $2.8 million grant from the National Cancer Institute for research that could improve treatment options for pancreatic cancer. The award builds on more than a decade of work studying how cancer cells respond to stress and, in many cases, evade treatment.

They are investigating a cellular defense system that helps tumors survive treatments such as radiation therapy. By targeting key proteins involved in that process, they hope to make pancreatic cancer cells more vulnerable to treatment while also helping the immune system attack tumors more effectively.

These tumors are notoriously difficult to treat because of their ability to grow, repair damage and resist the effects of conventional therapies. The team’s research seeks to better understand the biological processes that enables that.

This work could lead to strategies that enhance the effectiveness of radiation therapy and immunotherapy, giving us additional tools to combat this devastating disease, which is the third leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. Thank you all for this important effort to help change that.

Dr. Sherita King accepted into American Urological Association Masterclass

You know that I will always take an opportunity to brag about our faculty. And they give me plenty of reasons to do so. Dr. Sherita King is a perfect example. A proud MCG graduate, former urology resident and now director of our Urology Residency Program, she was recently selected for the American Urological Association’s Masterclass in Executive Leadership. This prestigious and highly selective program is designed to help mid-career physicians strengthen their leadership, strategic decision-making and team-building skills. Her selection for this Masterclass is even more fitting because she is helping train, mentor and inspire future urologists, preparing them to provide outstanding care for patients and communities across Georgia and beyond.

Fun fact: before she came to medicine, Dr. King was a standout track star at Evans High School, right here in Columbia County, and then an All-American at the University of Georgia, competing in the 100-meter dash and 4×100-meter relay. Anyone who knows her today knows she approaches her work now with the same determination and drive that served her so well back then. As someone who chose MCG for medical school, stayed for residency and now leads the very program that helped shape her career, Dr. King represents the very best of our institution. I am confident that our residents, our patients and our profession will benefit from the knowledge and perspective she gains through this experience.

Congratulations, Dr. King. We are incredibly proud of you.

Fall AMWA gathering offers first-year students opportunities to find mentors, research connections
Our faculty make it their mission to invest in the future physicians that are coming behind them. Mentorship is another important part of the fabric of MCG. Dr. King is just one example. Here is another: the fall gathering of the American Women’s Medical Association (AMWA), hosted by our chief of Nephrology, Dr. Laura Mulloy. A consummate mentor, Dr. Mulloy once again opened her home to bring together our medical students and the faculty leaders committed to helping them succeed.

She tells me that this year’s event drew a record crowd, including nearly 60 first-year medical students and almost 25 faculty members, residents and fellows. The event provided opportunities to build relationships, find mentors and explore research opportunities. I am grateful to Dr. Mulloy for her commitment to our students and for providing opportunities like this. The investment she and so many others make in mentorship is one of the reasons our learners are some of the most well-rounded (and well-prepared) in the country.

Students from our Southwest Campus explore the intersection of healthcare, public policy and research

One of the many things we work to instill in our students is that as physicians, they will have a responsibility to advocate for their patients. That means understanding the policies, research and systems that shape health care, not just what happens at the bedside.

That’s the idea behind the Clinical Leadership Immersion Elective, a unique part of the learning experience at our Southwest Campus. Recently, 11 students from that campus traveled to Washington, D.C., for a firsthand look at how healthcare, public policy, government and biomedical research intersect. They met with leaders from the Department of Veterans Affairs, including Secretary Doug Collins, toured the NIH Clinical Center and engaged with policymakers and health policy experts. By seeing firsthand how decisions are made and how scientific discoveries are translated into patient care, these students gained a deeper understanding of the forces that influence health and healthcare across our nation. It’s also a reminder that effective physicians must be prepared not only to care for patients, but also to understand the broader issues that affect their health and well-being.

I am grateful to Dr. Doug Patten, dean at our Southwest Campus, and the faculty there who make this elective possible. I also want to thank our Office of Government Relations, and especially Monty Philpot, director of federal relations, who was on the ground with these students throughout their time in D.C.

Wellstar Columbia County Hospital’s MOB will provide more access to care

Yesterday brought an important moment not just for our learners, but also for the patients and communities we serve, as we celebrated the opening of the Wellstar Columbia County Hospital’s Medical Office Building. The new facility builds on the adjacent hospital (which opened in August) and further expands access to high-quality care closer to home for many patients. It also creates more educational opportunities for our students and residents and provides opportunities to train across the full continuum of care, from outpatient clinic visits to inpatient hospital care, working alongside physicians and care teams across a wide range of specialties.

This campus will help us train more outstanding physicians and create opportunities for more of them to build their careers in Georgia and serve the communities that need them most. It’s also the result of many years of vision, planning and partnership, and is just one more example of what is possible when Wellstar, Augusta University and the Medical College of Georgia work together.

Charlotte, Rome, Vidalia offer places and spaces to connect with MCG alums

It’s certainly been a busy Fall already. Just a couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to travel to Charlotte and Rome for our annual alumni receptions. Getting out on the road, spending time with our graduates and seeing the impact they are making in their communities is one of the best parts of this job.

In Charlotte, it was wonderful to see Dr. Gray Norris, ’93 and Trudi Norris, who brought their son, Kemp Norris, a second-year student at our Savannah campus. Kemp shared his experiences as a medical student, and everyone loved hearing about his journey. We also had the chance to reconnect with several members of the Class of 2017, including Dr. Katherine Menezes, Dr. Rachel Coughlin and Dr. Jada Fambrough, who are celebrating their 10-year reunion during Alumni Weekend this year. A special thank you to Dr. Margaret Siegel, ’97 and Carter Siegel for graciously hosting us in their home. Their dogs, Tucker and Goose, may have been the favorite guests that evening.

In Rome, we gathered at Chophouse on Broad, owned by Charles Hellier, whose mother served as a nursing professor here. The food – especially the truffle fries and the scallops – and the company were incredible. Current students shared about their experiences at our Northwest Campus, while Dr. Paul Brock and Dr. Dixon Freeman provided campus updates. We were also fortunate to have Dr. Lynn Hedrick join us before her CME presentation the following day.

The MCG family extends far beyond our campuses

And just last night, we gathered at Birdies Coffee Until Cocktails in downtown Vidalia for a reception graciously hosted by Senator Blake Tillery and Dr. Ashlee Nicole Tillery, a 2017 MCG graduate. They are incredibly gracious hosts and made everyone feel welcomed. The food, including what may have been the best she-crab soup I’ve ever tasted, was only rivaled by the company. Among those joining us were Dr. Paul Turk (’84), chair of the MCG Foundation Board; classmates Dr. Joey Giles and Dr. Henry Cline from the Class of 1982; Dr. Gilbert Gonzalez (’83); and Dr. Susanna Meredith (’17), who practices alongside Dr. Tillery.

These gatherings are always a reminder that the MCG family extends far beyond our campuses. Whether they graduated last year or decades ago, our alumni continue to make a difference in their communities and I’m always glad to see them keeping ties with their medical school.

Rome CME event sees 132 attendees, focused on latest and greatest information on autoimmune diseases

Visiting our regional campuses gives me an opportunity to spend time and connect with the physicians and faculty who are helping us educate the next generation of doctors. We could not do what we exist to do without them. The day after our alumni reception in Rome, brought another opportunity to do that as many of us gathered for a CME program, on the Berry College Campus, which drew an incredible 132 attendees.

These programs are particularly important because they give our clinical faculty, many of whom are based outside of Augusta, a chance to reconnect with colleagues, engage with experts from across MCG and explore important topics affecting medicine today. They also help make MCG feel more like one institution across all our campuses. This year’s program was focused around autoimmune disease and immunology and featured discussions on topics ranging from CAR T-cell therapy and inflammatory bowel disease to lupus, vasculitis, inflammation and the future of immunotherapy. One of the highlights, as always, was watching our students present challenging and fascinating patient cases. It was a wonderful opportunity for them to showcase their clinical skills and for faculty to see firsthand the outstanding work happening on our regional campuses.

My thanks to Dr. Brock and the entire Northwest Campus team for organizing an outstanding program, as well as the faculty experts who shared their time and expertise. I believe that the strong turnout is just one more indicator of the commitment our faculty have to lifelong learning, excellent patient care and educating the next generation.

A note of gratitude

As we end today, I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to our faculty, staff, students and alumni for all you do to advance the mission of the Medical College of Georgia. Your dedication to educating the next generation of physicians, making the next groundbreaking discovery, caring for patients, and supporting communities across our state and beyond is what makes MCG such a special place.

Please know that the impact of your work is felt and appreciated every day. As we approach the holiday season, I hope you will take time to step away and enjoy time with family, friends, and loved ones. You have certainly earned the opportunity to rest, recharge, and celebrate with the people who matter most.

Thank you again for all you do for MCG.

The Dean’s Diary will return on Dec. 4. Until then, take care and enjoy the break.

My best to you all,

David C. Hess, MD
Dean, Medical College of Georgia

Upcoming Events

November 20 – MCG Faculty Senate Meeting, noon, Natalie and Lansing B. Lee Jr. Auditorium

January 15 – MCG Faculty Senate Meeting, noon, Natalie and Lansing B. Lee Jr. Auditorium