GHSUpdate - May 2012

INSIDE: Consolidation Update

GHSU pdate

PRESIDENT’S

MAY 2012

Nobel Laureate Ferid Murad urged GHSU’s 795 graduates to leave a big footprint as guest speaker of GHSU’s 2012 Commencement Ceremony May 11.

Augusta is the place to be

Ricardo Azziz, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A. President, Georgia Health Sciences University and CEO, Georgia Health Sciences Health System

n One of the greatest pleasures of a university President is to oversee the commencement of an outstanding class of graduates.

I enjoyed that privilege during GHSU’s 2012 Commencement Ceremony May 11. What an honor it was to usher such fine people into the world to serve their fellow man. Our graduates truly epitomize our mission of leading Georgia and the world to better health. Very soon now, we will be betterpositioned than ever to fulfill this mission when our 2013 consolidation with Augusta State University launches our ascendance as the next great American comprehensive research university.

You can read the latest on consolidation in this edition of President’s Update, as well as the latest news about several other pivotal topics, including great news about our Cancer Center, a facelift for a central street on our campus and a generous gift that

will greatly expedite construction of our Education Commons.

Read also about the many esteemed visitors who have graced our campus with their presence recently, including Gov. Nathan Deal (see back cover), two Nobel Laureates (Commencement Speaker Ferid Murad and Mahesh Lecturer Oliver Smithies), plus the thousands who attended our Homecoming, Commencement and honors ceremonies.

Our visitors concur that Augusta is the place to be, not only because of the city’s exceptional natural beauty, but because of experiencing the most exhilarating growth period in the history of our enterprise. We’re thrilled to share the excitement with you. l

Our vision: To be a globally recognized research university and academic health center, while transforming the region into a health care and biomedical research destination.

$8 million Woodruff Foundation grant to support Education Commons

Laney Walker project to enhance safety, beauty on campus n Georgia Health Sciences University will begin construction later this year on a project that will enhance the section of Laney Walker Boulevard that runs through campus.

The Laney Walker improvement project is primarily funded by a grant from the Georgia Department of Transportation with additional funds from the university. The current design concept is intended to make the roadway safer for the estimated 8,500 pedestrians who cross it daily and beautify the current streetscape. The GDOT Transportation Enhancement grant began conceptually in 2006, was submitted in 2009 and awarded to GHSU in September 2010.

“Safety is a top priority,” said GHSU President Ricardo Azziz. “Foot traffic on Laney Walker is only increasing with the recent opening of the new College of Dental Medicine, an impending Education Commons building adjacent to that, and more nursing students on campus in light of the ASU/GHSU consolidation. This project will not only make it safer for the thousands of faculty, staff and students who cross one of our busiest thoroughfares, but also will make our campus more attractive.”

In March 2011, the GHSU Student Government Association sent Dr. Azziz a letter highlighting students’ safety concerns about the roadway. More than 200 students signed an endorsement of the Laney-Walker Pedestrian Mall project, which would have called for the closure of the road within the campus to create a pedestrian mall. However, many residents and business owners in the Laney Walker neighborhood had concerns regarding the road closure.

“We continued to seek input from the community,” Azziz said. “And we listened. And it became clear that there were still lots of concerns regarding road closure. So we made a decision to go with the original road enhancement plan approved by GDOT.” The project will create two lanes of traffic, rather than the current four; eliminate curbside parking between 15th Street and R.A. Dent Boulevard; add bicycle lanes on either side of the road; incorporate slightly elevated crosswalks that are compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act standards; and add more trees, grassy areas and plant beds.

Construction is expected to begin this winter and conclude by summer 2013. l

n Georgia Health Sciences University has received notice of an $8 million grant from the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation to help build an interprofessional state-of-the-art simulation center in the university’s planned Education Commons building.

The commons is slated to be a five-story, 160,000-square-foot building with classroom space for GHSU’s College of Dental Medicine and Medical College of Georgia. The lab will include state-of-the-art standardized patient rooms and high-fidelity patient simulators.

The simulation lab will be used by the various health professions disciplines. The total construction cost of the project, including the simulation lab, is $76.5 million.

“Partnerships like this one with the Woodruff Foundation are critical in advancing the vision of Georgia Health Sciences to be a globally recognized research university and academic health center, while transforming the region into a health care and biomedical research destination,” said GHSU President Ricardo Azziz. “Research has repeatedly shown that students and clinicians trained with simulation demonstrate markedly better knowledge, skills and behaviors at the bedside.”

Funding for the Education Commons was included in Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal’s budget recommendations, released in January. State officials also called on the university to secure funding from private philanthropy. To date, GHSU has secured $23 million for the project, including the Woodruff grant. l

Physicians feted n GHS physicians were honored during Doctors’ Day March 30, a nationwide celebration of those who work with other esteemed members of health care teams to offer prevention, treatment, cure and comfort to patients. Doctors’ Day was established by Eudora Brown Almond in 1933 in Winder, Ga., to honor her physician husband and his fellow physicians nationwide for their service and dedication. The date chosen for the celebration is also specific to Georgia: March 30 was the date that Dr. Crawford B. Long of Jefferson, Ga., administered the first ether anesthetic for surgery. Dr. Yong D. Park, Professor of Neurology (pictured), is one of dozens of dedicated physicians at GHS. l

ASU-GHSU Consolidation News n Georgia Health Sciences University’s imminent consolidation with Augusta State University has completed several pivotal milestones recently.

The University System of Georgia Board of Regents in early May approved a mission statement for the consolidated university: to provide leadership and excellence in teaching, discovery, clinical care and service as a studentcentered comprehensive research university and academic health center with a wide range of programs from learning assistance through postdoctoral studies.

“Our focus will remain on educational quality, excellence and success, but it is important that our mission reflect the new reality – that we will be a completely new comprehensive university, competing with peers in the state and beyond,

acting like the great American institution we will be, adapting and accepting change, responding rapidly and decisively, emphasizing the training and responsibility of our leaders and focused on growth and development,” said GHSU President Ricardo Azziz, who will oversee the consolidated university.

The mission will become effective after accreditation by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, expected next January, after which the Board of Regents will formally approve the consolidation.

Next steps include submitting three proposed names for the new university to the Board of Regents by July 1. The board is expected to review those names at its August meeting. Suggestions for the name were collected from members

of the GHSU and ASU communities throughout April.

Also, the Regents appointed Dr. Shirley Strum Kenny as Interim President of ASU. She will assume Dr. Shirley Strum Kenny the post on President William Bloodworth’s July 1 retirement date.

Kenny served as President of Queens College, City University of New York from 1985-98 and of the State University of New York at Stony Brook from 1994 until her retirement in 2009. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Chicago.

For more information about consolidation, visit http://asughsu.org. l

Cancer Center reaccredited

Employee contributions top $274,000

n The Georgia Health Sciences University Cancer Center has been granted three-year accreditation with commendation by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer.

The center met standards in all 35 quality-of-care measures in eight areas judged important by the commission, and it was awarded commendation in seven of those areas: cancer committee leadership, data management and cancer registry, clinical management, research, community outreach, professional education and staff support and quality improvement.

Accreditation follows an on-site evaluation by a physician surveyor. Approval reflects voluntary commitment to the highest-quality cancer care and a rigorous self-evaluation and review process.

“Commission approval signifies that our program ensures patients have access to comprehensive care, including a range of state-of-the art services and equipment; a multispecialty team approach to coordinate the best treatment options; information about ongoing clinical trials and new treatment options; access to cancer-related information, education and support; and most importantly, excellence in quality care,” said Dr. Samir Khleif, Director of the Cancer Center.

The GHSU Cancer Center has the only dedicated inpatient oncology unit in the Augusta area. A two-story, $31 million dollar freestanding outpatient facility opened in 2010.

“Our accreditation ensures that our cancer program is offering the highest-quality patient-centered care right here in the CSRA,” said Dr. Jim Kruse, Assistant Professor of Surgical Oncology and Chair of the GHS Cancer Committee. “Our program is committed to continuous improvement in a multidisciplinary fashion.” l

n Georgia Health Sciences employees contributed $274,230.67—exceeding the goal by more than $70,000—in this year’s employee giving campaign.

“We are so grateful for those who supported Georgia Health Sciences during this campaign,” said Senior Vice President for Advancement and Community Relations Susan Barcus. “The campaign enabled us to show our pride in the work we do every day to lead Georgia and the world to better health.”

Contributions to the “Stand Up, Stand Out” campaign will support GHS Medical Center renovations, the Education Commons construction, research expansion and other areas specified by donors.

“Your donations make a difference in the health of our patients, the education of our students and the lifesaving research of our scientists,” Barcus said.

The donations also attract external support, she noted. “Our collective investment sends a powerful message to donors—tangible proof we believe in our organizations mission so much that we choose to invest our own funds to ensure its success.”

For more information, visit www.georgiahealth.edu/giving. l

Rich Heritage, Dynamic Future n A President’s cookout, art show and dance were among the activities enjoyed by hundreds of alumni, faculty and students during Georgia Health Sciences’ 2012 Homecoming celebration April 25-29.

Each college also presented Distinguished Alumni Awards during the celebration, themed “Rich Heritage, Dynamic Future.” l

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COURTESY CHRIS THELEN

Visit from the Governor n Gov. Nathan Deal visited campus April 24 to discuss highlights from the fiscal 2012-13 legislative session, including $94 million in additional funding for highereducation enrollment growth, $28 million in bond funding for GHSU’s Education Commons and funding for 400 new residency slots statewide. Deal also reiterated his commitment to the university’s ascendance as a top50 medical school nationwide. “That’s a strong promise,” President Ricardo Azziz said, thanking the Governor for recognizing Georgia Health Sciences’ statewide significance as a “great asset and growing economic engine. As the next great American university, we are committed to excellence.” l

Sculpting in Clay: Reflections on Leadership and Transformation GHSUpdate is a monthly publication from the office of President Ricardo Azziz. For additional insight and timely updates, please follow his blog at: azziz.georgiahealth.edu