“Now is the accepted time, not tomorrow, not some more convenient season. It is today that our best work can be done and not some future day or future year. It is today that we fit ourselves for the greater usefulness of tomorrow. Today is the seed time, now are the hours of work, and tomorrow comes the harvest and the playtime.”
~ W.E.B. Du Bois
February 10, 2012
Dear Colleagues and Friends:
Ronald McDonald House Coming to GHSU … Next to the CMC ..
At the recent Board of Regents’ meeting, the Regents supported plans to make room for a new Ronald McDonald House adjacent to the Health Sciences Building at GHSU. Ronald McDonald House allows families of children being treated at the CMC a place to stay and having a modern, bigger house located on GHSU campus will allow for greater service to our patients’ families. Many thanks to Drs. Ricardo Azziz and Bernie Maria, Ms. Betts Murdison, and Mr. Jim Mumford for their efforts on behalf of our families.
Makin’ Noise… Adolescent Nutritional Study … Lots of ‘Media Hits’ …
Dr. Norman Pollock, bone biologist at the Georgia Prevention Institute, and Dr. Vanessa Bundy, pediatric resident and an MD/PhD graduate of MCG, are co-first authors on a major study published in The Journal of Nutrition (http://news.georgiahealth.edu/archives/5037?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ghsunews+%28GHSU+News%29) examining the relationship between fructose consumption and cardiovascular risk factors in adolescents. Their study on this topical issue got exceptional media exposure, picked up by major news services including HealthDay, the Associated Press and United Press International, which resulted in placement in major radio and television markets across the nation as well as U.S. News and World Report and Yahoo Health. The New York Times also wrote a byline piece on their study. Congratulations to these bright scientists for their contributions to the health of our children.
Perioperative Service Line Launched This Week …
Congratulations to Dr. Al Head and Ms. Missy Pratt and the entire ‘periop’ team on the successful launch of the Perioperative Service Line. Many meetings and effort have already gone into launching this service. There will be core leaders instead of one central person and on-time starts, productivity and core measures will be major areas of group effort. We congratulate everyone and pledge our support.
Quality Campaign Update …
Our Quality Campaign progress and updates were recently reviewed at both Medical System and Health System Board meetings. We had a recent University Hospital Consortium consultation and a follow up retreat is planned for next month. Many thanks to our Unit Quality Councils, departmental Quality Councils and Quality Operations Council. Quality is everybody’s business … and when we do well it shows… For example, we recently received a call in the Dean’s office from a recent patient on 8 South who wanted to make sure that we knew of the excellent care received. Praise was “heaped” on the physicians, nurses, techs, and staff. We promised we would pass along the kudos!
Nominations for 2012 CSRA Mental Health Advocate of the Year Award …
The Augusta Coalition for Mental Health Advocacy seeks nominations (contact Steve Hobbs at 706-373-8130 ) for the 2012 CSRA Mental Health Advocate of the Year Award recognizing leaders who improve the quality of our mental health services.
Converting to ICD – 10 … Preparing Early is Key …
The conversion from the current ICD- 9 coding-diagnostic system to ICD- 10 (more complex and granular) will be challenging, yet it will also be an opportunity. Media Health Leaders recently published an article listing 10 ways ICD – 10 will improve quality of care, including: updates to current terminology, improves public health tracking, discourages upcoding and fraud, specifies reasons for patient non-compliance (to name a few). We have named an ICD-10 task force to guide us through requirements and education needed. We want to thank Mr. Frank Smith and Ms. Terrilyn Jones for leadership in this important initiative.
Medical Association of Georgia … Member Benefits and Opportunities Already Coming Our Way …
Congratulations to Dr. Bernie Maria for being selected as a member of the Medical Association of Georgia’s Medicare Review Board. This is an important opportunity and we appreciate Dr. Maria’s leadership here. Having membership in MAG not only gives us a voice with local and state issues, but national issues as well.
Annual AAMC Graduation Questionnaire to Begin …
The annual AAMC graduation questionnaire- a survey for 4th year medical students- begins Feb. 14th. Medical students input will provide valuable information to the medical school for benchmarking and improving medical education programs. Feedback from the survey is essential of continuous improvement. For the first time a free IPAD will be raffled to provide an incentive for students to complete the survey- go for it!
Community News … Being Engaged and Contributing…
We want to remind everyone about the American Heart Association Heart Walk on Saturday, March 3rd at North Augusta’s Greenway. Not only do we need your donations, but we also need to have you sign up as a walker. We are at 32% of our walker goal and 15% of our donation goal… so now is the time to ‘up our game’ and recruit family and friends to our teams and bring those donations in. We look forward to seeing you at the Heart Walk on March 3rd.
Recently Mayor Deke Copenhaver gave the 2012 State of the City address, now available by visiting the city’s website www.augustaga.gov.
We also want to thank Dr. Stewart and Mrs. Linda Shevitz for their recent wonderful performance at the Morris Museum of Art. There was a great turnout at the Psychiatry Department’s third in a series of outreach activities in collaboration with the Morris Museum. These activities are a continuing effort by our institution to support our community.
We recently had the pleasure of attending the 6th Annual Lucy Craft Laney Museum Gala. The keynote speaker, John Franklin, Director of Partnerships and International Programs, gave an uplifting speech, including telling us of the upcoming launch of the Smithsonian’s 19th museum, the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Upcoming Dates and Events …
Month of February – Celebrate Black History Month – Check this website for events all month long http://www.georgiahealth.edu/aaffairs/idi/aahm/events.html
February 17 – MCG Faculty Senate Meeting – 12 Noon, Lee Auditoria Center
February 21 – MCG Foundation Board Meeting and Alumni Association Reception – Idle Hour Country Club, Macon
February 28 – Richmond County Medical Society Dinner and Meeting – 6 pm Old Medical College
March 3 – American Heart Association Heart Walk – Greeneway, North Augusta www.csraheartwalk.org
March 7 – President’s Lecture Series Continues – Dr. Jonathan Braun, Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine – 12 Noon – Auditoria Center
March 16 – Match Day!!! Come join us as gather to see where our graduating seniors will complete their residencies – 12 noon – Large Auditorium
SAVE THE DATE …
April 26-29 – GHSU Homecoming
May 10 – Hooding, 2 pm, Bell Auditorium – Keynote Speaker – Vice Admiral Matthew L. Nathan, Navy Surgeon General
May 11 – GHSU Graduation, 2 pm – James Brown Arena
Many thanks for all you do.