“Welcome the challenges. Look for the opportunities in every situation to learn and grow in wisdom”. ~ Brian Tracy
October 12, 2012
Congratulations … Continuing Service in New Educational Leadership Roles … Building a Great
Team …
Please join us as we congratulate Dr. Kathryn Martin, Campus Associate Dean for SE Regional Campus on her selection as Chair, MCG Scholarship committee. Dr. Martin, most recently, was Interim Associate Dean for Admissions until October when Dr. Gina Duncan was appointed Interim Associate Dean for Admissions. We very much appreciate Dr. Martin’s continued service and we look forward to the great things Dr. Duncan brings to the table. We are also delighted to congratulate Dr. Ralph Gillies on his recent appointment as Interim Associate Dean for Faculty Development. Dr. Gilles is committed to advancing faculty’s teaching skills and promoting innovation in health sciences education. Our thanks to Dr. Paul Wallach, Vice Dean, Academic Affairs for his leadership in advancing these changes.
Congratulations … Alum Appointed to Board of Public Health … A Great Leader in Georgia …
Please join us as we congratulate Dr. Cindy Mercer on her recent appointment by Governor Nathan Deal to the Board of Public Health (http://gov.georgia.gov/press-releases/2012-10-05/deal-appoints-19-boards). Dr. Mercer is a graduate of the Class of 1978 and serves on the GHS Medical Center Board of Directors. Congratulations Dr. Mercer.
Congratulations … Leadership North Augusta Selects Two of Our Own …
Congratulations to Roxane Patterson, Director of Employee Health and Wellness, and Rev. Brennan Francois, Pastoral Care Coordinator on their recent selection for Leadership North Augusta’s Class of 2013. Leadership North Augusta, a program of the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce, exposes business and community leaders to the opportunities and challenges facing North Augusta while honing leadership skills.
Admissions Committee … Annual Recruitment Visits … Making Their Rounds …
The Admissions Committee, Faculty, and Students have all been busy making their annual recruitment visits throughout the state. Recently they visited Augusta State University and University of Georgia. We received many positive remarks from the students as well as from the faculty advisors. Our faculty and students did a wonderful job sharing about our programs. Special thanks to Ms. Linda DeVaughn for her leadership, Dr. Paul Wallach and Dr. Gina Duncan for opening remarks and to Dr. Walter Moore and Dr. Greer Falls for moderating Q & A sessions. It was also great having Dr. Nevin Lambert and Christina Ostrowski representing the MD/PHD office. Remember … we are always recruiting … in everything we do.
2012 Medical Scholars Research Day … Posters Highlighted Continued …
Continuing our highlights of posters at 2012 Medical Scholars Research Day, student James A. Isom (Class of 2015) with Advisor, Dr. Puttur Prasad (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology) presented the poster “GPR109A as an antitumorigenic receptor in non-small-cell lung cancer”. In 20-30% of the Non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLCs), a mutation in K-Ras, which suppresses many of the cell’s own anti-tumorigenic defenses, is the primary genetic driver. Prior research at GHSU showed that ectopic re-expression of GPR109A induced ligand-dependent apoptosis of cancer cells. The presenters here now showed while their cell cycle flow cytometry invalidated GPR109A’s ability to induce apoptosis via its ligands in NSCLC cells, their cell colony proliferation studies revealed that GPR109A transfected K-Ras cell exhibit reduced proliferation regardless of drug treatment. Their studies that illustrate GPR109A’s potential use in the treatment of NSCLC are promising. Very good work! Congratulations also to Ms. Gloria Sayer and Mr. Austin Cail, Medical Scholars on acceptance of their summer research work to the American Society of Hematology – a great honor that gives testament to their excellent research. More to follow …
Check it Out … Great Story on a New Multidisciplinary Team … New Brain Tumor Clinic … Progress on Cancer Center Development …
Dr. Samir Khleif and his team are making great progress with new developments in our Cancer Center. Progress is being made in programmatic research development, new clinical services development and integration as well as new developments with Augusta State University departments of art and music to develop adjunct therapies as well as a new dedicated 800 number. Please check out the inspiring story regarding Dr. Olivier Rixe and Dr. Cargill Alleyne on the addition of the GHS Brain Tumor Clinic (http://www.wrdw.com/home/headlines/Brain-tumor-clinic-looking-for-new-ways-to-save-lives-172062421.html). This new multidisciplinary clinic allows for more patient-friendly experiences as well as focusing on research and clinical trials for brain tumors. Dr. Rixe and his team are also working with a French drug development company and the Georgia Research Alliance (GRA) which has awarded a $100,000 grant to develop their anti-tumor therapy in partnership with our Cancer Center. We applaud all our colleagues’ efforts to develop a Cancer Center that all Georgians can be proud of.
Farewell … But Congratulations as Well … A New Chapter Begins … A Great Ambassador for our Institution …
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Anthony L. Pearson-Shaver, Chief, Pediatric Critical Care Section, on being selected as Professor and Chair, Pediatrics, Mercer School of Medicine Macon Campus and Medical Director, Medical Center of Central Georgia Children’s Medical Center. For over 26 years, Tony has provided outstanding care for most critically ill children in our region. Dr. Pearson-Shaver was awarded the 2011 MCG Faculty Senate Distinguished Faculty Award for Patient Care and 2012 MCG Dean’s Professionalism Award. His expertise and strong commitment to the health and well-being of children will be greatly missed. Please join us in congratulating Tony on his new endeavor.
Saying Goodbye to an Outstanding Physician and Decorated Veteran … A Great American …
Not only did we recently say good-bye to one of our Alumni, but also to the last surviving Navy doctor who landed on Normandy’s Omaha Beach during the D-Day Invasion of World War II. Dr. Joseph Lee Parker Jr. recently passed away (http://www.mccommonsfuneralhome.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=1683036&fh_id=12169). Dr. Parker was a member of the 6th Naval Beach Battalion and MCG Class of 1942. Dr. Parker was also a founding doctor (1949) of the Minnie G. Boswell Hospital in Greensboro. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.
Upcoming Dates and Events …
Month of October – Breast Cancer Awareness Month – Show your support – Wear pink on Fridays
Month of October – Patient and Family Centered Care Month – http://www.mcghealth.org/patient-family-centered-care/GhsuContentPage.aspx?nd=2857
Themes Week 3 Information Sharing; Week 4 Collaboration; Week 5 Participation. October 17th – Leaders will be serving meals in the Terrace Dining Room, October 26th – Block Party with Congressman Barrow.
Until October 15th – National Hispanic Heritage Month … Check out http://www.georgiahealth.edu/diversity/hispanic-month/ for all the events
October 15th – November 9th – Open Enrollment – ASU Benefits Fair October 9th, 9 am Jaguar Center Ballroom – GHSU Benefits Fair, October 27th 10 am, Wellness Center (http://connection.georgiahealth.edu/2012/10/02/university-open-enrollment/)
October 15th – Next Presidential Consolidation Open Forum – 12 noon ASU’s Maxwell Performing Arts Center and 3 pm in GHSU’s Lee Auditorium http://asughsu.org/archives/786
October 18th – Alumni Reception in Savannah
October 19th – 21th – MAG 158th House of Delegates Meeting, Savannah, Georgia
October 20th – MCG Student Run Clinics Golf Tournament Fundraiser, 1 pm, Goshen Plantation Golf Club (http://onparwithpatientcare.weebly.com)
October 24th – Annual Practice Opportunity Medical Fair, Alumni Center, 11 am – 2 pm, marys@georgiahealth.edu or hwalp@georgiahealth.edu sponsored by GME and The Georgia Board for Physician Workforce. Representatives from several communities and physician recruiters from hospitals throughout Georgia will be available to discuss practice opportunities with Interns, Residents, and Fellows.
October 25th – GHSU Faculty and Spouse Club “Newcomer’s” Group, 6:30 pm, Partridge Inn Veranda, casual event, “the year ahead and what to expect and plan for regarding arts and entertainment”. A cash bar will be available with appetizers provided.
October 25th – Hallelujah for Health Benefit, 7 pm Kroc Center, Admission Free – The goal of this event is to raise funds for projects and operations of the CSRA Partnership for Community Health
October 27th – Monster Bash, 8 pm, Enterprise Mill. Funds raised will go to the CMC. Event includes a silent auction and costumes are encouraged. Please come, dress your best, and enjoy!
October 29th – 2nd Annual Augusta Research Symposium (in partnership with Augusta Warrior Project, Charlie Norwood Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Dwight David Eisenhower Army Medical Center) “Advances in Warrior Care: An Integrated Approach” Kroc Community Center, Beginning at 7:30 am. For more information and to register, visit http://www.georgiahealth.edu/research/warriorcare/register.html.
November 2nd – Go Casual for Kids Day. Swap out your traditional work or class attire in favor of a more casual look and help raise funds for kids! Print and complete the Go Casual Order Form 2012 attached here and send with your payment no later than September 26, 2012 or online athttp://giving.gru.edu/GoCasual. Shirts will be available for pick up in the CMC lobby on October 18th and 19th.
November 2nd – 7th – Association of American Medical Colleges Annual Meeting, San Francisco
November 11th – Veterans Day
November 12th – 17th – Coinciding with Veterans’ Day, AAMC has designated November 12-17 as Joining Forces Wellness Week. The cornerstone event will be a daily Webinar series on military health issues – see link for schedule and topics. Contact Anita Navarro (anavarro@aamc.org)
Enjoy this beautiful fall weekend.
Many thanks for your leadership.
Warm Regards,