“You never know what you can do until you have to do it.

~ Mrs. Betty Ford

July 15, 2011

Dear Colleagues and Friends:

Synchronicity … Week 3 With Our New Ambulatory Electronic Health Record

We have completed the 3rd week with Synchronicity and we are seeing the system improve with use and time. We are tracking system volume and as of last week, we were at a remarkable 93% of last year’s volume and some clinics are now already back at 100% productivity. The help line is still open at (706) 721-7455 and “on-site” training staff remains in place, so please avail all of this continued support should you need this. Your continued leadership in this initiative is VERY much appreciated.

On the Research Front ….

Congratulations to our great colleague Dr. Stephen Black and collaborators in the Vascular Biology Center on recently receiving a five year award for over $11 million dollars (yes … I said over $11 million dollars) to study Endothelial Barrier Protection and Repair in Acute Lung Injury. Other Project and Core Leaders are Drs. John Catravas, David Fulton, and Alexander Verin, all of the VBC, and Dr. Vijay Patel from the Department of Surgery is a co-PI for the clinical component of lung specimen harvesting. Congratulations guys … a great achievement.

Congratulations also to Dr. Piotr Kraj in the Center for Biochemistry and Genomic Medicine (CBGM) for receiving funding for his federal grant. Great work.

Exemplary Award ….

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Brian Miller, Assistant Professor in Psychiatry on receiving the 2011 National Alliance on Mental Illness Exemplary Psychiatrist Award. The annual award recognizes exceptional contributions by psychiatrists to improve the lives of people living with mental illness.

Leadership Development …

Also, deserving of congratulations is Dr. David Bogorad, Vice Chair and Professor in Ophthalmology, on his nomination and selection into the Georgia Physicians Leadership Academy. The Medical Association of Georgia (MAG) began this yearlong curriculum which includes leadership development, conflict resolution, media relations, and advocacy over four years ago. This is a terrific program. Dr. Bogorad, who has been named among the Best Doctors on multiple occasions, is also President elect of the Physicians Practice Group. Way to go David!

Aspiring Doctors … People Skills = Speed Dating? … GHSU Promotes Holistic Review …

Medical School Admissions committees across the country try to attract the highest caliber of aspiring young doctors, obviously desiring to match people who have interpersonal skills that can be developed into a great doctor’s ‘bedside manner’. A recent and provocative NY Times article http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/11/health/policy/11docs.html?emc=eta1 has attracted much attention about how a minority of medical schools are adopting more rapid screening procedures for applicants on ‘bedside manner’…. a process similar to ‘speed dating’ that started at the newest medical school, Virginia Tech Carilion. Reviews from applicants have been mixed with some feeling interviewers get to know the applicant better while others feel this is too rapid.

Although we are certainly not ‘speed dating’, we have increased our efforts in a more comprehensive approach to reach the most ‘well-rounded’ candidates. Recently, we completed the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Holistic Review of our Admissions Program. The Holistic Review is a national review project that focuses on the application and admissions process as a whole, keeping in mind the mission and goals of the school to promote diversity … to admit and teach and graduate the whole physician … one that is technically savvy, knowledge filled, and has a great ‘bedside manner’. We are grateful for our colleagues who serve on our Admissions Committee and ensure that we recruit bright and well-rounded medical students.

Looking for ways to stay cool in the heat? ….

Proceeds from the following events will go to the Children’s Medical Center. Now thru November 1 at participating Wendy’s you can purchase a ‘frosty key tag’ for a $1.00 and receive a free Junior Frosty. Then don’t forget on August 11, head out to a participating Dairy Queen and purchase a Blizzard. Either one of these frozen treats will cool you off as well as help out our CMC.

Upcoming Dates … Calendar Items …

July 19, 2011 – Questionnaire Development Workshop – The Education Discovery Institute (EDI) is hosting a workshop to further faculty skills in questionnaire development. The workshop will include background issues in using questionnaires and surveys, practical steps in instrument design and construction, as well as practice in revising questionnaire items. The workshop will be facilitated by Dr. Christie Palladino and Dr. Deborah Richardson. If you are interested please contact Janelle Davis at rdavis@georgiahealth.edu .

August 3, 4 and 5, 2011 – MCG Freshman Orientation – Orientation for our new students and their families. Classes begin Monday August 8.

August 3-4, 2011 – GHSU Diversity Summit. This summit will be the first event held at the new Kroc Center. The mission of the summit is: (1) To advance dialogue about diversity and inclusion activities between interrelated organizations; (2) Learn diversity and inclusion practices that have yielded successful outcomes; and (3) Participate in networking opportunities to build effective collaborations. You will be hearing more details shortly. We welcome your attendance so please check your calendar.

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 an academic career 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. Are you wondering what the “White Coat Ceremony” is? It is a very special ceremony where MCG Faculty presents our Freshman Medical Students with their first white coat signifying the beginning of their journey in the medical profession. We welcome you to these events.

The Passing of a Great American …

Finally, it is with sadness that we recognize the loss of a wonderful humanitarian and advocate for the health and well-being of our nation, Mrs. Betty Ford. My uncle, Dr. Garrett O’Connor, the Medical Director at the Betty Ford Clinic, reminded me on many occasions of Mrs. Ford’s exceptional contributions in social policy and health care. She is well-known for her active, public life that included many of the ‘hot topic’ buttons of a very charged, political time. She will be missed … “You never know what you can do until you have to do it.” ~ Mrs. Betty Ford

Many thanks for your leadership and support.