Putting first

“Effective leadership is putting first things first. Effective management is discipline, carrying it out.” ~Stephen Covey

 

July 29, 2011

Dear Colleagues and Friends:

 

Synchronicity … Week 5 …

We have now completed our 5th week of Synchronicity and we really appreciate the impressive physician leadership and our many champions who are going ‘the extra mile’ to help resolve issues that are reported. A plan to address ’20 top concerns’ is listed on the Synchronicity website at http://ehr.georgiahealth.edu/. The help line (706) 721-7455 and on-site training staff are also available for assistance. We appreciate your leadership and continued feedback in this initiative.

 

Supporting Our Community …. Valuing Our History …

We had the opportunity to meet with Mr. Ronald Skenes to review our involvement and community support with Christ Community Health Services (CCHS). CCHS provides low-cost health care to adults and children in need. We are delighted that CCHS will be moving into the renovated and recently dedicated Widows’ Home which was the site of Georgia’s first school of medicine – the Medical Academy of Georgia … now the Medical College of Georgia at Georgia Health Sciences University. CCHS is a wonderful resource and the Widows’ Home will be a fabulous primary care facility, complete with 12 exam rooms, a pediatric physical therapy suite, classrooms, and a resource and learning center. This is a great opportunity for our residents and we truly value our partnership with this inspiring community program.

 

Invigorating Tomorrow’s Health Care Leaders …

Last week, we had the privilege to attend the closing event for the Student Educational Enrichment Program participants (SEEP). This summer program drew a diverse and enthusiastic group of students from the Augusta community and they were provided with didactics and experiences related to health care professions. We congratulate all of this year’s SEEP graduates. Dr. Joseph Hobbs, Chair, Family Medicine gave an invigorating speech which resonated with all participants and attendees. We also want to thank Dr. Kim Halbur, Ms. Wilma Sykes-Brown and Ms. Linda James for their hard work in putting together an exceptional awards program for the students. Many thanks go to all the faculty and staff that once again made the SEEP such a remarkable success. We look forward to what’s to come next year.

 

Congratulations Are in Order …

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Amyn Rojiani, Chair, Department of Pathology on receiving the Georgia Cancer Coalition’s Distinguished Cancer Scholar Award. This is a five year award to further cancer research. Dr. Rojiani studies the role of the tumor microenvironment in the central nervous system cancer metastasis.

Please join us also in congratulating two members of the Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy on their recent award notices – Dr. Paul McNeil for receiving an NIH award for his grant, “Defective Membrane Repair in Diabetes” and Mr. Steven Walker (one of only twenty graduate students) for receiving the Bursary award and he will present at the 7th European Zebrafish meeting. Congratulations on a job well done!

 

Become a Blood Donor…

We hear all the time of blood shortages and blood donation centers needing donors. Support the GHSU Blood Donor Room and donate blood today. Did you know that you can donate blood that can be credited to a patient’s account should they need blood? You can donate blood every eight weeks and many of us have been donating for years. Visit the GHSU Health System Blood Donor Room or call 706-721-3695 for more information.

 

Going Up in Smoke …

The ability to stop smoking has just gotten a little bit easier for some Southwest Georgians. The Georgia Department of Public Health is expanding its free nicotine treatment in 14 counties in the Albany Public Health District. The program offers uninsured adults nicotine patches or gum at no cost. It was recently reported in the Augusta Chronicle that the Augusta Commission is reviewing an ordinance that would stop smoking in bars and restaurants that do not serve anyone under the age of 18 in Augusta-Richmond County. Savannah has already adopted a very similar policy for all public places. Research shows that smokers generally make several attempts at stopping smoking before finally being successful. In Georgia, more than 10,000 people die each year due to tobacco-related diseases. Healthcare care costs of over $1.8 billion are attributed to tobacco use. GHSU is a smoke free environment and we appreciate the good example that you all set.

 

Upcoming Dates and Events …

August 3, 4, and 5, 2011 – MCG Freshman Orientation

Orientation for our new students and their families will be held in CL 1101. Can you believe that classes begin Monday August 8th? We are most grateful to the GHSU Alumni Association for hosting a welcoming brunch for our new students.

August 3-4, 2011 – GHSU Diversity Summit

We can’t say enough about the GHSU Diversity Summit being held at the new Salvation Army’s Kroc Center on August 3rd and 4th. The mission is multi-faceted and will advance the dialogue about diversity and inclusion activities between interrelated organizations; learn diversity and inclusion strategies and practices that have yielded successful outcomes both locally and beyond; and participate in networking opportunities to build effective collaborations. We are privileged that our summit will be the first ‘official’ event held at the Kroc Center. For a schedule of the Diversity Summit events, please see www.georgiahealth.edu/diversitysummit. We look forward to seeing you on August 3rd and 4th and again on August 9th for the opening ceremony. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to show our support of this remarkable addition to our community.

August 12, 2011 – MCG Faculty Senate Meeting

Please join us for the first MCG Faculty Senate meeting of this calendar year in the Auditoria Center. Dr. Martha Terris will be giving an overview of the section of Urology and Dr. Clinton Webb will be telling us about the department of Physiology along with Ms. Beth Brigdon expanding on the efforts of the Faculty Effort Workgroup.

August 15, 2011 – 2011 STaR Conference Submission Deadline

The Southern Translational Education and Research (STaR) invites all investigators in the field of clinical and translational science to submit abstracts to be considered for presentation at the 2011 STaR Conference “Diabetes and Obesity: Lose to Win” being held September 15-16, 2011. For additional information, please visit http://www.rxugace.com/programs/details/568. Last year’s conference was terrific and we encourage you to take part this year.

September 15, 2011 – Career Development 101 Program

This program is designed to help new junior faculty jumpstart their careers by getting a broad view of what a career in medical education is all about. Please contact Ms. Cora Harper charper@georgiahealth.edu for more information. This is a great program.

September 24, 2011 – GHSU Family Day and MCG White Coat Ceremony

You will be hearing ‘lots’ more about these two events. Family Day encompasses the entire GHSU Family. The MCG White Coat Ceremony will be held at 2:30 pm at Warren Baptist Church with a reception immediately following. We are encouraging a strong presence among our faculty so please mark your calendars.

Many thanks for your leadership and support. Enjoy the weekend.