Old friend

“Ah, How Good It Feels! The Hand of An Old Friend.”
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

May 4, 2012

Dear Colleagues and Friends:

Homecoming Weekend at GHSU … Rich Heritage, Dynamic Future …

Spring not only brings flowers, green grass, and longer days, but also Homecoming at GHSU. Homecoming is a time-honored tradition where alumni, leaders, educators, physicians, friends and families of the past, present, and future ‘come home’ to GHSU. Events included tours of the new College of Dental Medicine, Painting Classes and an Art Show/Silent Auction. We held class reunions from 1947, 1952, 1957, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1977, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997 and 2002. At the Dean’s Reception and Alumni Association Banquet, Dr. Joseph Hobbs passed the gavel to Dr. Henry Cline, Radiation Oncologist and 1982 Alumni, to begin his term as President of the MCG Alumni Association. We want to thank Dr. Hobbs for his unwavering dedication and excellent Presidential service and we look forward to Dr. Cline’s leadership and support.

Alumni Association Board Meeting … Our Students Speak Out …

Each Class President gave an update on student activities, with Class of 2012 highlighting Match Day and looking forward to Hooding with Vice Admiral Matthew Nathan and then, of course, Graduation. The Class of 2013 is very involved in community service and readying their applications for residency programs. The Class of 2014 reported on the great turnout at the 10th Annual Raft Debate … what fun!!! The Class of 2015 is looking forward to summer and will be working with Habitat for Humanity. Additionally Dr. Randy Smith gave a progress report on University Hospital-Georgia Health Sciences University Affiliation. His leadership as well as that of Dr. Bill Farr, coupled with formative direction of Mr. Jim Davis and Dr. Ricardo Azziz, has been essential to the success of this program which will be launched this July.

MCG Foundation Board Meeting … Resounding Progress …

The MCG Foundation also held its board meeting during the Homecoming weekend. Dr. Alva L. Mayes, Jr., who will continue as the chair of the Board of Directors for the 2012-13 year commented on a new era of mutual respect, collaboration and trust. Congratulations also to the other board members: 1st Vice Chair – Dr. Mason Thompson; 2nd Vice Chair – Dr. Sandra Freedman; Secretary – Dr. Peter Payne; Treasurer – Dr. Lloyd Schnuck and Emeritus Chair – Dr. William Mayher, III. We also want to thank Dr. Jim Osborne for his leadership. We are very appreciative of our Foundation’s support of the advancement of education, research and patient care.

Homecoming Memorial Service … Honoring Leaders Who’ve Left Us …

Also during Homecoming weekend, we celebrate and remember our alumni that have passed away during the last year. This is one of the most solemn yet positive events of the weekend. Not only did we remember but we celebrated and recognized the successful lives and achievements of our alumni. It also gave us a chance to comfort our family and friends. Their legacy will live on and we will continue to build upon their foundation.

Happy 75th Birthday to Anesthesiology …

What a great time to be celebrating 75 years of Anesthesiology at GHSU. Activities included a golf tournament, reception, open house and tour of the Anesthesiology facilities and a dinner gala. Anesthesiology has come a long way in the past 75 years and we can’t wait to see what happens in the next 75 years.

Homecoming Leaders … Dr. Cecil Whitaker and Dr. Patricia Davis Honored …

We are delighted to congratulate Dr. Cecil F. Whitaker as our Distinguished Alumni for Loyalty. Dr. Whitaker received his medical degree in 1962 and returned to MCG in 1965 to complete his residency after serving in the U.S. Navy. Dr. Whitaker is a member of the MCG Foundation Board of Directors and 1995-96 past President of the MCG Alumni Association. In his acceptance speech, Dr. Whitaker encouraged us … “Let us not forget who we brought to the dance … let’s remain strong on our commitment to medical students and residents”.

We are also delighted to congratulate Dr. Patricia C. Davis as our Distinguished Alumni for Professional Achievements. Dr. Davis received her medical degree in 1977, completed her residency and fellowship in neurovascular radiology at Emory and serves as Professor of Radiology. In 1990, she started the pediatric neuroradiology service at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s Egleston campus. She is an examiner for the American Board of Radiology’s Diagnostic Oral Boards and received the board’s Lifetime Service Award in 2009. Dr. Davis inspired us with her remarks of how “The opportunity to become a doctor changed my life in every way”.

We offer our sincere thanks to Ms. Susan Barcus and Mr. Scott Henson and their entire team for a super Homecoming weekend. We appreciate all the effort of our colleagues that went into making this weekend a success. We are already looking forward to next year.
Upcoming Dates and Events …

Month of May – May is Mental Health Awareness Month! The tradition of celebrating “May is Mental Health Month” began in 1949 with Mental Health America (MHA) wanting to raise awareness of mental health conditions and mental wellness for all. Many community events will be held this month.

May 5th – 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Mental Health Festival sponsored by the Friendship Community Recovery Center

May 10th – 6 p.m. The Augusta Coalition for Mental Health Advocacy Dinner, Augusta Country Club

May 21st – Employee Appreciation Week; recognizing the contributions of our Mental Health employees
Month of May – Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month – check out http://www.georgiahealth.edu/aaffairs/idi/apiahm/index.html
Week of May 6th – National Hospital Week – Show your appreciation to everyone in our hospital

May 8th – 9:30 a.m., CB 2109 – EII Workshop: “Health Science Education Research: How to Get Started”

May 9th – 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Ambulatory Hospital Week Cookout, MOB parking lot

May 10th – Hooding, 2 p.m., Bell Auditorium – Keynote Speaker – Vice Admiral Matthew L. Nathan, Navy Surgeon General

May 11th – GHSU Graduation, 2 p.m. – James Brown Arena

May 14th – National Peace Officers Day

May 15th – MCG Town Hall, 5 p.m., Large Auditorium – Question and Answer forum with Dr. Buckley

May 17th – Primary Care Summit, Macon. Contact Denise Kornegay for more info: dkornega@georgiahealth.edu

May 18th – 8 a.m. Fifth Paul G. McDonough Lectureship and Symposium – President Azziz will be discussing “The Needs and Expectations of Current and Future Faculty Leaders”

May 18th – 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., GME Leadership Retreat, Alumni Center – Agenda to include ACGME changes in the accreditation process

May 29th – 9:00 a.m. Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home Memorial Day Ceremony in the courtyard

May 31st – 10th Annual Tech Fair, Greenblatt Library- Conference Style Format with tracks on Teaching, Research, Clinical and General Technology including sessions such as http://georgiahealth.edu/techfair/

Best wishes for a great weekend!