“Every action of our lives touches on some chord that will vibrate in eternity.”
~ Sean O’Casey, Irish Dramatist and Memoirist, (1880-1964)

March 16, 2012

Dear Colleagues and Friends:

Match Day 2012 … Facebook, YouTube, Alumni, and of Course … the Matches …. Nothing Matches the Match …

Today is Match Day for all medical school graduates in the country … What a blast! It is so exciting and invigorating to watch our medical school graduates find out their future … now as they take their next step in their goal to become one of our nation’s top docs. Today’s Noon March was great fun … also … this year we did some fun and different things with YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bI5yuM0uYIA and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MCGMatchDay so family and friends could keep up with the festivities. We also want to thank our Alumni Dr. Hany Nagger (2003), Dr. Jake Turrentine (2011), Dr. Howard Hudson (1974) and Ms. Debbie Layman (Nursing 1978) for their leadership, guidance, and participation in today’s event. We also greatly appreciate the commitment of our faculty and staff – as well as the leadership of Drs. Kathy McKie, Andy Albritton, Rhee Fincher and their colleagues – in preparing our medical students so well for this formative day. Our students will be wonderful ambassadors for GHSU and Augusta … we look forward to seeing the great things they will do.

Our Congratulations …

Each year, the GHSU Faculty Spouse Club awards a scholarship to one student from each of GHSU’s five schools: Allied Health, Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, and Graduate Studies. Please join us in congratulating Cecil Rhodes on being named the recipient of the Faculty Spouse Club Scholarship for MCG.

Leadership and Collaboration with Students, Residents, and Faculty …

Dr. Ketarah Robinson Co-Chief Resident in Pediatrics and second-year student Prathyusha Mididoddi will present “Examining Sociodemographic and Biological Factors of Tobacco Use and Exposure in Rural and Urban Elementary School Families: Similarities and Differences” next week at the World Conference. In total, the team, led by Dr. Martha S. Tingen, Co-Director Child Health Discovery Institute and Interim Program Leader of the GHSU Cancer Center’s Cancer Prevention and Control Program, will have five oral and written presentations during the conference. A wonderful accomplishment and opportunity.

Education Innovation Institute (EII) Education Day … A Celebration of Educational Excellence …

The EII, last week hosted 2012 Education Day with Dr. Craig Brater, Dean, Indiana University (IU) School of Medicine as keynote speaker. Dr. Brater gave a very informative and educational presentation on IU’s regional medical campus network as well as another inspiring lecture on ‘The Hidden Curriculum’. He praised the EII for the valued and much needed responsibility for our education mission, reminding us that we need to reward and encourage the values of education. There was great turnout from faculty, residents, and students. The quality of presentations and posters was superb and we very much appreciated the presentations from our colleagues at ASU. The Exemplary Teaching Award winners were recognized as well as honoring the graduating class and welcoming 2012 educational research fellows. Congratulations to all the awardees. Many thanks to Drs. Rhee Fincher, Lara Stepleman, Chris White, Ms. Cora Harper, Janelle Davis and others that made Education Day a success.

Embracing Quality and Clinical Growth While Interacting with Patients and Family …

Dr. William Schwab, Vice Chair of Family Medicine, University of Wisconsin was keynote speaker at the 6th annual Patient and Family Centered Care Conference. Dr. Schwab gave us his wonderful perspectives on patient family centered care, enhanced by his experiences as the parent of a child with complex medical needs. He praised our accomplishment of GHS Medical Center being named one of only six national models in PFCC by the Picker Institute. Chaplain Brennan Francois began the 2nd day with a rousing speech challenging us to excellence and being first class not just today … but every day. Many thanks go to Mr. Bernard Roberson and all the faculty and staff who made this conference a success as well as continue to promote top of the line patient family centered care.

Kudos …

We recently received a letter of “KUDOS” from a husband/wife team. “Four separate occasions” were mentioned where our staff “stepped up to the plate and went out of their way” to be helpful, kind and courteous. We know you know who you are! Kudos to you and THANK YOU!!

Update on TEDMED … Mark your calendars April 10-13 … A Unique Opportunity …

We recently told you about the exciting upcoming event, TEDMED 2012, www.TedMed.com, which takes place April 10th – 13th, Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., featuring 21 leaders who will share with us the ideas, innovations and challenges that will help shape the future of health. We want to update you on local plans … Thanks to AAMC sponsorship; this event will be available by simulcast from two locations: Room 108, Greenblatt Library and Lee Auditorium. Live sessions will be held from 5-7 p.m. April 10; 8:45-10:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m.-12:45 p.m., 2:15 p.m.-4 p.m. and 5-6:45 p.m. April 11 and 12; and 8:45 and 11:15 a.m. April 13. TEDMED has a reputation for innovative, groundbreaking, and forward-thinking talks and we are fortunate to have access to this exceptional event. Please come and check it out.

GHSU Board of Visitors … Spreading the Word …

Recently the Board of Visitors was back on campus. They received information on our programs, especially our Cancer Center under the new leadership of Dr. Khleif, were given an update on ASU-GHSU consolidation and had also student presentations which were very much appreciated.

As mentioned in previous Dean’s Diaries, this powerful partnership will be a great asset guiding us to the forefront of medicine and biomedical research.

USG Board of Regents (BOR) Updates … Continued Progress and Great Support for GHSU …

Consolidation continues to be a topic at BOR meetings with over 800 responses to proposed mission, vision, and values received and 54% approving wording and concepts. All 50 work teams have submitted first drafts of their plans. We are on track for our timeline for ASU-GHSU consolidation (http://asughsu.org/). Chancellor Huckaby also praised GHS Medical Center for earning an energy star designation from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Real Estate & Facilities Committee voted unanimously Tuesday to ask the state to transfer the former site of the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame to GHSU. This item will now go to the legislature.

Upcoming Dates and Events …

TOMORROW March 17th – Augusta’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Downtown Augusta, 2-9pm , HEAL students will gather around 12:30 at the James Brown Arena to walk in the parade to raise awareness of women’s health issues and the services provided by Belle Terrace! UPDATE on the Penny War and Bake Sale = Over $500 has been raised so far.

TOMORROW March 17th – Georgia Health Sciences Vision Discovery Institute “Night with the RiverHawks”, 7:35 p.m., James Brown Arena, Augusta RiverHawks vs. Columbus Cottonmouths. Like last year, the RiverHawks players will be wearing St. Patrick’s Day jerseys. Following the game, these jerseys will be auctioned off with the proceeds going to the Vision Discovery Institute. Tickets can be purchased at the box office or by calling 706-993-2645 x108. Use the code “GHSUVDI” when ordering tickets for the group rate. Come and join us!

Town Hall Meetings

Mr. David Hefner and Dr. Gretchen Caughman will hold a series of Town Hall Meetings for updates on the status of our enterprise and insight on its continued transformation. Please plan to attend one of these informative sessions.

Monday, March 19th – GC 5002, 1:00 p.m. and Lee Auditorium 3:00 p.m.

Wednesday, March 21st – Lee Auditorium, 7:00 a.m. and Health Sciences Building, 10:00 a.m.

Thursday, March 22nd – Lee Auditorium 7:00a.m, 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

March 22nd – Teaching with Technology Series, AB 108, Dr. Erik G. Van Eaton University of Washington will give presentations on mobile solutions to complement electronic medical records systems and Dr. Jeffrey Taekman, Director of Duke University’s Human Simulation and Patient Safety Center will also give a presentation on the shortcomings of health education and improvements through simulation technology. Learn more about the Teaching with Technology seminars and register at georgiahealth.edu/ce/teachingtech.

March 24th – 2nd Annual GHSU/UGA Medical Partnership SGO Golf Tournament, 8:30 a.m. UGA Golf Course. The 2012 proceeds will benefit the Children’s Specialty Services at St. Mary’s Healthcare System and the academic endeavors of the students at the Partnership Campus. For more information call Alison (706)-369-5923.
SAVE THE DATE …

April 24th – President’s Lecture Series Continues – Dr. Linda Burns Bolton will be the guest speaker

April 26-29th – GHSU Homecoming, Various campus and community locations, more info forthcoming

May 4th – MCG Dean’s State of the College Address, 12 Noon, Large Auditorium

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

May 11th – GHSU Graduation, 2 pm – James Brown Arena. Faculty are encouraged to visit http://georgiahealth.edu/students/graduation/ to register for the event and request regalia. The deadline to order faculty regalia is Friday, March 16th!

May 14th – National Peace Officers Day

For each petal on the shamrock, this brings a wish your way, good health, good luck, and happiness,
for today and every day.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day tomorrow … See you at the Parade!