Greport 2013 12 13 by Augusta University

Volume 1 - No. 21 Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Giving campaign now underway Staff reports

The Community Giving Campaign is now under way and Georgia Regents University and Health System employees can give back to our community and have a chance to win a parking spot! There are two ways to give: health system employees can participate in the United Way campaign, and university employees can participate in the State Charitable Contributions Program (SCCP) campaign. All employees can learn more File photo about the campaign by visiting giving.gru.edu/communitygiving- An ice cream social was held during a prior Community Giving campaign. Campaign. United Way of the CSRA does not have an online giving option; however, employees can give onpledges and gifts will be comBy Danielle Harris line through the Georgia Regents pleted online. Medical Center payroll deduction Any employee who donates $50 Award-winning corporate informapage. United Way pledge forms or more to United Way or SCCP tion technology expert Becky Blalock will either be delivered to your will receive entry into a drawing manager in-person or via interfor access to a parking spot of the will be the speaker for Georgia office mail. winner’s choosing for a six-month Regents University’s Fall Commencement ceremony. This event will be United Way pledge forms can be period. Additional donations of turned in at two locations: Georgia $50 increments increase your odds held Sunday, Dec. 15, at 3 p.m. in the university’s Christenberry Fieldhouse. Regents Medical Center Adminis- of winning (up to $500). tration (BI-2070, Kathleen Grant) United Way also offers incentives Blalock is Managing Partner at Advisory Capital, a strategic consulting and Children’s Hospital of Georgia to their donors such as a Caring Administration (BT-1847, Octavia Club Card that provides discounts firm that provides business management and leadership development Williams). at local stores. To contribute to SCCP, state Questions? Call Becca Bruni at expertise for various companies involved in the energy, information employees can visit: www.giveat706-721-4002 or email rbruni@ technology, and medical industries. theoffice.org/_sccp. All SCCP gru.edu .

File photo

Blalock to be GRU’s Fall Commencement speaker

GReport Office of Communications & Marketing Augusta, Georgia 30912

As former Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer for Southern Company, Blalock spent nearly a decade directing IT strategy and Becky Blalock operations for the sixth-largest utility company in the world. Under her leadership, Southern Company was recognized as one of the 100 Most Innovative Companies by CIO maga-

zine and one of the 100 Best Places to Work in IT by Computerworld magazine. There are no tickets required for this event and doors will open at 1:30 p.m. You will need a parking pass to park at the fieldhouse, those participating will receive a parking pass with regalia. Faculty will receive the pass via email. Additional parking will be available at Wrightsboro Square, 3136 Wrightsboro Road, and shuttles will pick up attendees starting at 1 p.m. Graduates are requested to be present at 2 p.m. and should use Entrance Four.

GReport

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Georgia Regents University

Briefs

News, events, and more Fall Graduation

The first GRU Fall Graduation will be held Dec. 15 at 3 p.m. in the university’s Christenberry Fieldhouse. Award-winning corporate information technology expert Becky Blalock will be the speaker.

George Washington medical exhibit

The Greenblatt Library on the Health Sciences Campus is hosting the “Every Necessary Care and Attention: George Washington and Medicine” traveling exhibit from the National Library of Medicine. This exhibit explores the story of George Washington’s own health and examines the ways in which he sought to safeguard the health and wellness of those under his care. The exhibit is free and open to the public daily until Dec. 7. Visit gru. edu/library/greenblatt for library hours.

Vascular Biology Research Seminar

Magdalena Chrzanowska-Wodricka, Ph.D. of Medical College of Wisconsin will present a presention on Dec. 18 starting at 11:30 a.m. in the Carl T. Sanders Research and Education Building on the Health Sciences Campus. The topic will be “Small GTPase Rap1 integrates adhesion, chemical and mechanical signals to control cardiovascular functions.” For more information, call 706-721-6338 or email kmartin@gru.edu.

Christmas tree lighting

The Summerville Neighborhood Association invites you, your family, and friends to the annual Lighting of the Christmas Tree on Thursday, Dec. 5, 6 p.m. at the Maxwell Theatre on the Summerville Campus at Georgia Regents University. Santa will be on hand after the lighting to talk to children.

Silent Auction

Ambulatory Services will hold its seventh annual Silent Auction with an assortment of gift baskets, holiday gifts, and much more on Dec. 6 starting at 10:30 a.m. and ending at 1:30 p.m. in Terrace Dining on the Health Science Campus. There will even be an iPad Raffle. All proceeds go to the American Heart Association Heart Walk. For more information or if you have an item you would like to donate, contact Steven Galles at sgalles@gru.edu.

DDM Workshop

Annual International Workshop on Disease, Disability, and Medicine in Medieval Europe will be hosted by GRU on Dec. 6, 7 and 8 on the Summerville Campus. The theme this year is “Defining Health and Non-Health, Ability and Disability in the Premodern World.” See the full schedule of events and register at www.gru.edu/ce/specialevents/medievalmedicine.php.

Holiday collection

Los Amigos Hispanos, a Holiday Collection, will end on Thursday, Dec. 5. Donations will help several needy Hispanic families in the area. Things like baby formula, Pampers, children’s books, new or used toys (in good condition), non-perishable food, cleaning supplies, household items, appliances, dishes, pots and pans, new or used clothes and shoes (in good condition), furniture, and gift cards will be accepted. Donations can be dropped off at the Department of English and Foreign Languages Suite in Allgood Hall, second floor, east wing, or the break room across from the department suite. For more information, contact Dr. Jana Sandarg at jsandarg@gru.edu or 706-737-1500.

Get fit for the new year

Beginning Jan. 1, the new rate for a GRU Wellness Center membership will be only $19 per month. This payroll-deduction membership involves a one-year agreement. You may also choose to pay for the entire year for only $228. Also, if you sign up now, your access will be immediate with no payment until January. Call 706-721-6800 or stop by the front desk for more information.

Customized Training

Human Resources Workforce Development offers customized training to all departments within the enterprise based on specific needs submitted through service requests on various topics for: • Customer Service • Management and Leadership • Team Building • Communication • Conflict Resolution As a means to determine specifics and needs, the following elements will be addressed: • Clarification and discussion of presenting issues or challenges • Expected performance outcomes and learning objectives for training • Establishing methods to reinforce training • Identifying metrics to measure training

outcomes and track success To schedule a meeting, contact Connie Sutton, Interim Director of Workforce Development, at 706-721-7623 or Wanda O’Brien, Senior Training Specialist, at 706-721-4054.

Breast health screenings

A walk-in mammography clinic for employees, worth $100 toward health savings accounts, is held the first Friday of each month from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. in the Breast Health Center on the first floor of Georgia Regents Medical Center.

Join EII

The GRU Educational Innovation Institute meets at noon on the second Wednesday of each month in Pavilion III, room 3302, to discuss health professions education and educational research. The institute provides refreshments, and participants may bring their lunches. For more information, contact EDI@gru.edu.

Support Groups Blood cancer/BMT support

A blood cancer support group meets on the third Wednesday of every month from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Cancer Center Community Room. For more information, call 706-7219134 or 706-721-1634 or visit grhealth.org.

http://report.gru.edu/ Communications and Marketing Georgia Regents University Augusta, Georgia 30912

Direct news correspondence to: Adrian Greer, Editor greport@gru.edu AD-1102, 706-721-4410

The GReport is published biweekly by Aiken Communications, a private firm in no way connected with Georgia Regents University. Opinions expressed by the writers herein are their own and are not considered an official expression by Georgia Regents University. The appearance of advertisements in this publication, to include inserts, does not constitute an endorsement by Georgia Regents University of the products or services advertised. News and photos are provided by Communications and Marketing

Direct advertising inquiries to:

Dee Taylor, Advertising Director AIKEN COMMUNICATIONS P.O. Box 456, Aiken, SC 29802

1-800-559-2311 ext. 2371 or 803-644-2371 dtaylor@aikenstandard.com

Trauma support

A support group for those impacted by trauma meets the third Wednesday of every month from noon-1 p.m. in the fourth-floor west conference room of Georgia Regents Medical Center. For more information, call 706-721-4633 or 706-721-3264 or visit grhealth.org.

Gyn cancer support

The CSRA Gyn Cancer Support Group meets the third Monday of each month from 6-7:30 p.m. at Augusta Oncology Associates, 3696 Wheeler Road. Call 706-721-5557 for more information.

Autism support

A support group for loved ones of children with autism spectrum disorders meets the first Tuesday of every month from 6-7 p.m. in the Patient and Family Resource Library on the eighth floor of Georgia Regents Medical Center. For more information, call 706721-6838 or email ddrakele@gru.edu. See Briefs, page 7

DEADLINES

for January 1 issue • Dec 19 at noon For January 15 issue • Jan 7 at noon

Georgia Regents University

Dr. Ricardo Azziz, President Tunisia Williams, Director of University Relations and Public Affairs EMPLOYEE ADDRESS CHANGES & CORRECTIONS should be made to Human Resources through department managers.

To provide leadership and excellence in teaching, discovery, clinical care, and service as a student-centered comprehensive research university and academic health center with a wide range of programs from learning assistance through postdoctoral studies.

Georgia Regents University GReport

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Hobbs named MCG’s first Senior Associate Dean for Primary Care and Faculty Affairs

Phase I of Employee Engagement Survey achieves 92 percent participation

By Toni Baker

After three weeks of encouragement from coworkers and leadership, the Employee Engagement Survey has had record success with 92 percent of Georgia Regents Health System and selected Shared Services giving their perspective and ideas about the health system. “A big ‘thank you’ and debt of gratitude goes to Susan Norton, Connie Sutton, Donna Fields, others within the HR team and the army of Survey Champions and Administrative Ambassadors who applied more hours and muscle to this project than we’ll ever really know, in addition to David Brond and the entire Office of Communications and Marketing team,” said Steven M. Scott, Chief Operating Officer. The survey, which launched on Oct. 30, provided employees with the opportunity to give feedback on the work environment, management, leadership, and organizational effectiveness. The goal was to reach 90 percent participation. This was the first engagement survey in over 12 years. Departments that reached 100 percent participation by Nov. 11 would receive a pizza party.

Dr. Joseph Hobbs, Chairman of the Department of Family Medicine and Senior Associate Dean for Primary Care and Community Affairs at the Medical College of Georgia at Georgia Regents University, has been named to the new post of Senior Associate Dean for Primary Care and Faculty Affairs. The additional faculty affairs responsibilities for Hobbs will focus on oversight of the medical school’s promotion and tenure process as well as faculty diversity and inclusion. Hobbs will serve as MCG’s representative to the Association of American Medical Colleges Group on Faculty Affairs and serve as a member of the MCG Academic Affairs leadership team. He will retain his other leadership responsibilities. “Dr. Hobbs is a senior statesman, a well-known and respected MCG alumnus, and an accomplished leader who knows this medical school and its faculty,” said Dr. Paul M. Wallach, MCG Vice Dean for Academic Affairs. “He is an exceedingly logical choice to initiate our new Office of Faculty Affairs.” Hobbs, who holds the Georgia Academy of Family Physicians Joseph W. Tollison, MD Distinguished Chair, graduated from MCG in 1974 and completed residency at MCG and the Georgia Regents Health System. He has served as Chairman for 15 years and Senior Associate Dean for more than a decade. He is a member of the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine Group on Minority and Multicultural Health, Secretary of the Association of Departments of Family Medicine Board of Directors, and a member of the Pisacano Leadership Foundation Board of The Philanthropic Foundation of the American Board of Family Medicine, Inc. He is a member of MCG’s Executive Committee and the medical school’s Strategic Plan Steering Committee

Dr. Joseph Hobbs and was awarded MCG’s 2011 Distinguished Faculty Award for Institutional Service. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of Georgia Regents Medical Associates, the Consolidation Strategic Planning Committee, and the Medical Staff Executive Committee for Georgia Regents Health System.

Staff reports

Individuals who completed the survey were eligible for prizes through a random drawing handled by Press Ganey which included gift cards, logo items, Terrace Dining vouchers, and movie passes. “I cannot over emphasize how proud I am of this accomplishment and of the team who carried it through so well,” said Scott. “I would like to thank everyone for believing in the possibility of achieving beyond what many

have thought possible, and to have worked so collaboratively as a focused team to do so.” In early 2014, the engagement survey results will be reviewed with the management team in order to address employee concerns. Following the review, all management team members are encouraged to use their survey results to help drive performance, improve engagement, and enhance the overall work environment for their staff.

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

GReport

Georgia Regents University

International Scholars come to GRU for workshop By Adrian Greer The Disease, Disability, and Medicine in Early Medieval Europe workshop is normally held at universities such as Cambridge or Oxford, but it’s moving outside of Europe for the first time and is being held at Georgia Regents University, Dec. 5-8. And while the topic may seem specialized and detailed, there may be a surprising amount of information that many in the community will find interesting. “Some of the top minds from around the world in medieval disability studies will be in Augusta for this conference, but you don’t have to be an expert to attend,” said Dr. Wendy Turner,

GRU Professor and workshop coordinator. “In many ways, we are discussing the ideas and the terminology around disability, and many of the concerns in medieval Europe are concerns we still face today.” Turner described a true story about a toddler in medieval Europe who accidentally fell into a hog pen and had his hands eaten off. While the cause of the disability may be extreme by modern standards, the toddler eventually grew up to be a professional tailor using only his feet. Many individuals today overcome disabilities in similar ways. “The issue has become that modern terminology does not

work for the past and only barely works for the present, meaning that the terminology is not working,” said Turner about the workshop topic. “And that extends to even how we define disabilities medically and socially. I think that anyone in the community who deals with impairment would find it very interesting.” During the workshop, top scholars from around the world will discuss ways of advancing cutting-edge theories about disabilities as well as how we talk and think about disabilities. “The keynote address on the second day will be presented by Dr. Edward Wheatley, Loyola University Chicago, who is a

Come see Santa Claus at Christmas Tree Lighting

Staff reports

‘Tis the season to be jolly as the annual Lighting of the Christmas Tree will be held Thursday, Dec. 5, at 6 p.m. at the Maxwell Theatre on the Sum-

merville Campus. The Summerville Neighborhood Association invites faculty, staff, students and the community to share in the holiday cheer by caroling with the Georgia Regents University Choir at

6 p.m. Following the tree lighting ceremony, Santa Claus will be dropping by for a photo opportunity with all the good boys and girls. This free event is open to the public.

renowned scholar on blindness. He will be looking at Aesop’s Fables and how they deal with disabilities,” Turner said. “Dr. Wheatley has a new theory about defining disability, and we will be taking a closer look at that.” The workshop will also feature notable academics in the field including Dr. Christina Lee of the University of Nottingham, co-founder of the workshop, and Drs. Cordula Nolte and Bianca Frohne of the University of Bremen. The kick-off event will be held Thursday, Dec. 5, at 6 p.m. at the Augusta Marriott. Conference registration begins at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 6, at the Jaguar

Student Activities Center on the Summerville Campus, with sessions throughout the day on Dec. 6 and Dec. 7. Breakfast and lunch will be served on both days, and dinner will be served on Friday. The registration fee is $165 or $120 for GRU employees and students. For the conference only, not including meals, registration is $50. To view the complete conference schedule and to register online, visit gru.edu/ce/ specialevents/medievalmedicine. php. For more information, call 706-721-3967.

Georgia Regents University GReport

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Georgia Regents University

Provost Perspective

Reaching out and showing GRU CARES

By Provost Gretchen Caughman

The college experience is often characterized as one of the most exhilarating and enriching times in life, and indeed, I think most of us would agree that is the case. But it also can be fraught with challenges, unforeseen obstacles, and in some cases, outright tragedy for students. And while a particular challenge or obstacle may be individualized, its impact goes far beyond that single student. A student’s distress affects our entire campus family – students, faculty, and staff. Likewise, it is everyone’s responsibility to CARE. Students in distress are a critical issue on most college campuses around the country. College students are highly susceptible to adjustment difficulties, especially those in the age range of 18 to 24 years who are on their own for the first time. We like to say it takes a university to graduate a student, but more importantly, it takes a caring and supportive academic and student affairs community to help students through situations that impact their performance in the classroom and their well-being outside of it. GRU is committed to providing a campus environment that is conducive for students to develop their full potential. We realize that students in mental, physical, or psychological dis-

tress may have difficulty learning and/or functioning in their personal lives, and we offer support to these students. There may be times when the university is required to respond to students who are experiencing a medical crisis or whose mental, emotional, or psychological health status may directly threaten the safety and security of themselves and/or others. Under the integrated academic and student affairs model, our Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Mark Allen Poisel, has created a Campus Assessment, Response, and Evaluation (CARE) team to help educate, manage, and refer students who need assistance. The newly formed CARE team provides a mechanism for those who identify students in distress to communicate their concerns, and then, after appropriate assessment, follows up to initiate supportive or interventional actions that will provide the student with the greatest chance of success and the university community the highest level of safety. Throughout this past semester we have witnessed outstanding efforts from faculty and staff to assist students in need. And the most important lesson learned is that the entire GRU family must make every effort to tell someone when something doesn’t seem right. To this end, we are launching a campaign of “See SOMEONE, Tell SOMEONE” in an effort to ensure that the CARE team is notified if there is concern about a student’s behavior or condition. The CARE team is made up of student affairs, student health, counseling, and public safety professionals who are working collaboratively to make certain that distressed students are afforded optimal support services in accordance with their need. In

order to manage the process, the CARE team meets on a weekly or as-needed basis so that students are connected with the appropriate resources to ensure timely, specific, and comprehensive assistance. Remember, YOU are critical to the success of the See SOMEONE, Tell SOMEONE campaign. Always be alert and do the following: • For a medical emergency, call 911 first, then dial 706-721-2911 to contact GRU’s 24-hour Public Safety Emergency line. • For a public safety emergency, call the GRU Public Safety Emergency line at 706-721-2911. • For non-emergency incidents, submit an anonymous report through our CARE (Campus Awareness, Response, and Evaluation) system by going to gru.edu/ grucares and clicking the “CARE” report button. The CARE team will be immediately notified, and someone will follow up to check in on the student. Academic affairs and student affairs are multifaceted units, each with unique responsibilities and functions, but dedicated to performing in a coordinated, integrated fashion for optimal student success. Each member of these communities — faculty, staff, and students — has an integral role in the overall success of a single student life. The CARE network includes all members of the GRU community, and its success depends on each of us being aware enough and caring enough to act. I hope each of you will commit to continuing our institution’s rich heritage of putting students first and demonstrate you CARE through “See SOMEONE, Tell SOMEONE.” You may never know how important that simple act is to the very life of a student.

Calvin Harris

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

GReport

Georgia Regents University

Antibiotic resistance is an international issue that better education can address By Toni Baker Antibiotic resistance is an international reality whose solution includes better educating physicians about using bacteria-fighting tools, says an infectious disease physician. “The big problem is the overuse of antibiotics in hospitals and communities because not only can they lead to side effects like rashes and colon damage, one of those side effects is development of multidrug-resistant organisms,” said Dr. Josѐ A. Vazquez, Chief of the Section of Infectious Diseases at the Medical College of Georgia at Georgia Regents University. These “bad bugs” know no bounds, said Vazquez, who is part of a panel discussing problems and solutions at the International Union of Microbiological Societies Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance being held in collaboration with the Cuban Society of Microbiology and Parasitology Nov. 14-16 in Havana. In fact, despite its somewhat isolated status, Cuba is experiencing the same problem with antibiotic resistance as the United States and elsewhere, Vazquez said. Regardless of the country or whether it’s a hospital or physi-

cian’s office, the problem begins with overprescribing and worsens with smart bacteria mutating to survive the drugs, the slightly stronger bacteria being transferred among us, and few new antibiotics in the pipeline to stop them. “If I am taking an antibiotic for something I don’t need, it’s a risk factor,” Vazquez said. The unnecessary exposure may prompt a bacterium to mutate – which can be as simple as altering a single protein – to escape elimination, and become resistant, at least to that drug. But the math quickly works against patients. Many antibiotics are essentially families of drugs, so resistance to one may wipe out the effectiveness of several, he said. And it’s easy to spread the new bacterium through casual encounters, like hugging a relative or touching a doorknob. “You transmit it to your husband, your brother, your kids, and your kids go out and meet 10 other kids and so on,” he said. That’s why infectious disease specialists like Vazquez and professional organizations like the Infectious Diseases Society of America and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Phil Jones photo

Dr. Josѐ A. Vazquez is working to address the problem of antibiotic resistance.

are advocating a multi-front retaliation. In fact, the Infectious Diseases Society of America has been making noise for more than a decade, with its Bad Bugs, No Drugs campaign calling upon the federal government and others to take decisive action. Emerging initiatives include antimicrobial stewardship programs that keep tabs on the antibiotics physicians prescribe and following up with education when inappropriate trends surface. “We keep track to make sure patients are on the right antibiotic for

the bug they have and use, when possible, a narrow spectrum antibiotic instead of a broad-spectrum antibiotic,” he said. Vazquez, who joined the MCG faculty this summer, is starting an antimicrobial stewardship program at Georgia Regents Health System. In addition, to try and nip the problem in the bud, medical schools and residency training sites also need to beef up their educational efforts on the topic of appropriate antibiotic selection, said Vazquez, who is working

on ways to do that at MCG and the GR Health System as well. Vazquez notes that short-term side effects of antibiotics can include diffuse rashes, colitis, kidney failure, seizures, and even an increased risk of retinal detachment. Long-term antibiotic use also frequently leads to fungal infections, like invasive candidiasis, or thrush, because it can also destroy protective bacteria in the body. However, selectively used, these drugs are needed to cure serious bacterial and fungal infections like pneumonia, cellulitis, and potentially even MRSA, one of the super bugs that resulted from antibiotic abuse. Vazquez is Chairman of the Fungal Resistance Protocol Team of the Community Programs for Clinical Research on AIDS/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Division of AIDS, and a member of the Food and Drug Administration Anti-infective Drugs Advisory Committee and Mycosis Study Group. He is also a member of the Infectious Diseases Society of America/MSG Committee developing International guidelines on diagnosing and managing fungal infections.

Georgia Regents University GReport

Briefs...from page 2

Look good … feel better

A workshop about appearancerelated side effects for women with cancer is held the second Wednesday of every month from 1:30-3:30 p.m. in the Cancer Center Community Room. Pre-registration is mandatory. RSVP by calling 706-721-0466 or visit grhealth.org.

Breast cancer support

A support group for women and families affected by breast cancer

meets on the second Thursday of each month from 12:30-2 p.m. in the Cancer Center Community Room. Call 706-721-4109 for more information or visit grhealth.org.

Moms’ connection

A support group for new moms meets Tuesdays from 1-2 p.m. in the Terrace Dining Room in Georgia Regents Medical Center. For more information, call 706-721-9351 or visit grhealth.org.

Prostate cancer support

A support group for those with prostate cancer meets the third Tuesday of each month from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Cancer Center Community Room. For more information, call 706-7210550 or visit grhealth.org.

Talk cancer

Let’s Talk Cancer support group meets the second Tuesday of each month from 5:30-7 p.m. in the Cancer Center Community Room. For more information, call 706-721-0550 or visit

Wednesday, December 4, 2013 grhealth.org.

Volunteers Needed Schizophrenia study

Adults age 18-50 with a history of schizophrenia are needed for a psychiatry medication study consisting of five visits. Participants will be paid. Contact Courtney Caulder at 706-7213048.

Psych study

Adults age 18-70 with either a his-

tory of or no history of mental illness are needed for a psychiatry study. Participants will be interviewed and give blood/urine samples. Participants will be paid. Contact Courtney Caulder at 706-721-3048.

Diabetes study

Women age 18-50 with Type II diabetes are needed for a GRU study. Participants will be asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire. Call 706-721-0084.

GReport

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Georgia Regents University

O’Keefe tabbed to lead Golf Program

Staff Reports

Jack O’Keefe was named head men’s golf coach at Georgia Regents University on Monday, Dec. 2, during an 11 a.m. news conference at the J. Fleming Norvell Golf House. GRU Augusta Director of Athletics Clint Bryant introduced O’Keefe to a throng of campus and community supporters at the Jaguar Golf facility. With his appointment, O’Keefe became the sixth full-time head coach in the program’s storied history. GRU had been without a head coach since Sept. 24, when former coach Kevin McPherson resigned after two-plus seasons to accept the same position at Coastal Carolina University in his hometown of Conway, S.C. “Jack brings to the table exactly what we need at this time within our Men’s Golf program,” said Bryant. “His ability to lead, to teach, to mentor, and to set a positive example of expectations for our young men is just what the doctor ordered. We look forward to his tenure as our head coach and to our return as one of the elite intercollegiate golf programs in the nation.” The former associate head coach for men’s golf at the University of Mississippi for the last three–and-a-half seasons, O’Keefe has played, coached, and worked at the highest levels in several facets of the game. As the Rebels’ assistant coach, O’Keefe helped guide Ole Miss to its fifth consecutive NCAA Regional appearance in 2011 and a No. 46 national ranking. In his first season, O’Keefe worked directly with All-American, All-SEC, and All-Region performer Jonathan Randolph and helped lead the Rebels to a 10th-place showing at the NCAA East Regional in Blacksburg, Va. He assisted head coach Ernest Ross in all aspects of the program, including recruiting, the scheduling of practices, and academic support along with specializing in course management, short game fundamentals, swing analysis, and player development. O’Keefe, 44, came to Ole Miss after breaking into the collegiate

Submitted image

Jack O’Keefe has been named the new golf coach.

coaching ranks at the University of Central Arkansas. During his four-year tenure as an assistant at UCA, O’Keefe helped the Bears climb from No. 139 in the national rankings all the way to 63rd in the final Golfweek magazine poll in 2010. O’Keefe guided UCA to a runner-up finish in the Southland Conference Championship in 2010 and placed all five players on the All-Southland Conference team (the only school to have five players make all-conference). From 2006-09, O’Keefe helped lead the Bears to seven team victories (four in the 2009-10 season) and six individual victories. “What an incredible opportunity this is to be the head coach at GRU Augusta,” O’Keefe said. “It is both honoring and humbling to be a part of such a tradition-rich program. I have already begun securing our fall schedule for 2014 as well as planning oneon-one meetings with each player. I want to know them on and off the golf course. I am committed to encouraging and getting the most out of every player. The support of Coach Bryant, the search committee, the university, and our community will allow us to compete against the best teams in the country. Now begins the countdown … 82 days until we tee it up at our first spring tournament.” Prior to coaching at Central Arkansas, O’Keefe was the head

golf professional at Hot Springs (Ark.) Country Club. While at HSCC, O’Keefe directed over 200 tournaments and taught over 400 lessons. He also directed the junior golf camps each year with over 60 juniors participating each summer. Following a highly decorated collegiate career, O’Keefe joined the professional ranks in June 1993 and played all around the world for nearly 10 years. Among his proudest accomplishments as a professional include earning his PGA Tour card in 1997 (he finished 175th on the P A 2010 graduate of the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Science in Education, O’Keefe and his wife, Susan, are the parents of four children — Lucy (12), John-Freeman (10), Henry (7), and Hogan (5). GA Tour Official Money List) and competing in the 1996 U.S. Open at Oakland Hills (Mich.) Country Club (7271-76-76), where he was paired in the third round with world No. 1 Tom Lehman. O’Keefe enjoyed a terrific season on the Nike Tour in 1996, ranking 15th on the money list with a pair of runner-up finishes. He earned 1995 Player of the Year honors on the Hooters Tour after a pair of victories. He was named 1995 International Rookie of the Year in Ube, Japan, and was the 1994 Australasian Tour Rookie of the Year after a 19th-place finish on the Australasian Tour’s official money list. A three-time winner on the Hooters Tour, O’Keefe earned the Hooters Tour’s Golf Achievement Award in 2001. As a collegian at the University of Arkansas, O’Keefe was a fourtime All-American, a two-time All-SEC selection, and an AllSouthwest Conference performer from 1989-93. He registered three individual victories as his Razorback squads captured 10 team tournament titles over his last two seasons.

The Jack O’Keefe File Full Name

John Freeman O’Keefe Jr.

Birthdate

Sept. 28, 1969 (born in Waterbury, Conn.)

Hometown

Little Rock, Ark.

Education

• University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Ark., 1989-93; • Bachelor of Science in Education (Industrial & Technology), University of Arkansas, 2010

Professional Experience

• Associate Head Men’s Golf Coach, University of Mississippi, Aug. 2010 to Nov. 2013 • Assistant Men’s Golf Coach, University of Central Arkansas, Aug. 2006 to Aug. 2010 • Head Golf Professional, Hot Springs (Ark.) Country Club, Jan. 2003 to Aug. 2006 • Professional Golfer, June 1993 to Dec. 2002

Professional Playing Experience

• Hooters Tour member, 1998-2002 • PGA Tour member, 1997 (finished 175th on official money list) • Nike Tour member, 1996 (finished 15th on official money list) • Competed in 1996 U.S. Open at Oakland Hills (Mich.) Country Club (72-71-76-76) • PGA Australasian Tour member, 1994-98 • Hooters Tour member, 1994-95

Professional Accomplishments

• Hooters Tour Golf Achievement Award winner, 2001 • Winner, Hooters Tour, Bay St. Louis, Miss., 2000 • Finished in 13th place, PGA Tour’s Deposit Guarantee Classic, 1997 • Finished in 16th place, PGA Tour’s FedEx Classic, 1997 • Runner-up, NIKE Tour, Monterey, Mexico, 1996, and in Huntsville, Ala., 1996 • Hooters Tour Player of the Year (led Hooters Tour official money list), 1995 • Winner, Hooters Tour, Douglas, Ga., 1995, and in Rantoul, Ill., 1995 • Australasian Tour Rookie of the Year (finished 19th on • Australasian Tour official money list), 1994

Georgia Regents University GReport

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

To learn more about the dangers of smoking and hear from community leaders, Georgia Regents University students attended the Great American Smokeout at the Jaguar Student Activities Center on the Summerville Campus. During the event, District 5 Commissioner Bill Lockett, District 7 Commissioner Donnie Smith, and District 2 Commissioner and Mayor Pro Tem Corey Johnson were recognized as Public Health Heroes. GRU Athletic Director Clint Bryant was also honored for his work on the nonsmoking campaigns. Adrian Greer Photos

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

GReport

Georgia Regents University

Provost Perspective Academic advisement: redefining a key element for student success Editor’s Note : This story ran in last edition but was accidently cut short. Here is the full column.

By Provost Gretchen Caughman

Navigating the complex sea of undergraduate academic programs and course selections can be a daunting task for students. A strong advisement program, consisting of professional advisors and faculty working together to chart a course for student success, is essential to ensuring that their journey to graduation is as short and direct as possible. Academic advisement is a key focus of GRU’s efforts to impact positively student retention, progression, and graduation. Prior to June 2013, our undergraduate academic advisement efforts consisted primarily of a decentralized model, in which some academic departments employed a professional staff advisor but faculty advised the majority of students. Today, GRU has a centralized Academic Advisement Center on the second floor of University Hall to support advisement of students in pre-professional undergraduate programs and for first- and second-year students of any major. This initiative involved the reorganization and centralization of eight professional staff advisors on the Summerville Campus into one location and plans to add six additional advisors this fiscal year. The office is conveniently located near

Career Services, providing students with a better integration of career counseling with academic planning. Aside from the Academic Advisement Center restructuring, faculty will continue to provide vital guiding influences in both early- and late-stage advising. Faculty members within a specific discipline offer the greatest insight into their fields’ curricular plans, or ideal pathways, as well as valuable mentoring. As students declare a major, the faculty will continue to advise the final phase of the student’s successful matriculation. In addition to reorganizing and bolstering the personnel efforts around student advising, we are strengthening the advisors’ toolkit through the implementation of several software systems designed to capture, analyze, and communicate student performance information in ways not available previously. In October, Academic Advisement launched GradesFirst, an early alert and communications platform to track and engage students in the advisement process. This system interacts with the Banner student information system to provide advisors real-time knowledge of a student’s academic enrollment, coupled with a notes system to log advisor interactions with the students and track student performance. Additional features, such as the early alert progress reporting and tutor tracking capabilities will allow advisors to see current enrollment and performance trends of students. This, combined with recent updates to JagTrax (Degree Works), can help with degree audits to enhance students’ timely degree completion. In the coming year, an additional software platform from the Education Advisory Board (EAB) will be introduced and provide yet

another link in the advisement process by offering predictive modeling analyses to include the following: • A robust analytics platform based on 10 years of our university academic data, including grades. • Nightly system updates to keep advisors abreast of critical changes. • Predictive analytics on each student’s likely performance across majors and courses. • Executive dashboards to identify and drill into the areas of greatest graduation risk within specific colleges and majors. It is important to note that the efforts to build a new foundation of undergraduate advisement do not rest on staffing and software alone; rather, they must align with policies and practices that advocate student engagement and success. Such policies alignment includes the introduction of a fiveterm “W” withdrawal limit on courses, the “Four Years for You” campaign to encourage enrollment in 15 credit hours each fall and spring, and determining the pathways and pitfalls that can impact student progress through the curriculum. These initiatives reach far beyond a centralized Academic Advisement Center and engage every core component of undergraduate education at GRU. Our goal is to integrate increased advisement staffing, technology tools, and the talents of our faculty and administrators to revise the student success platform of GRU. We want our students to be successful in navigating their academic plans in the shortest time possible and with the highest level of success. Our newly designed Academic Advising Center is just one more commitment GRU is making to enhance student success.

Georgia Regents University

Georgia Regents University GReport

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Design a T-shirt to help the Children’s Hospital of Georgia

By Adrian Greer

Health Center Credit Union is asking the community to create a great design for a T-shirt, and it’s all to help a great cause, the Children’s Hospital of Georgia. “We wanted to get everyone involved; we want to start a new tradition,” said Jennifer Leisey, HCCU Business Development Coordinator. “We want a great design and then to use that design to sell T-shirts, with all the proceeds going to the children’s hospital.” This is the first year the design contest has been open to the public. There is no age restriction, but special awards will be given in two

youth categories, ages 12 and under and 13 to 17 years. The entry should represent the spirit of the Children’s Hospital of Georgia, according to Leisey. The winning entry will be selected by a jury of community experts. “We wanted to leave the overall theme fairly open, and we want people to get as creative as possible,” Leisey said. “The winning Tshirt design will be sold in HCCU branches throughout the area.” The contest winner will receive $300, five T-shirts, and recognition on the HCCU website and printed media. All entries are due to Leisey by 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 31, 2014.

Entries may be submitted in any media, but digital submissions are preferred, to jleisey@gru.edu. Winners will be notified by phone no later than Feb. 17. All other artists submitting an entry will be noti-

fied by email or mail. For more details about the contest and to submit your design, go to: hccu. coop/contest.html

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Radiothon will broadcast live Dec. 5-7 from Children’s Hospital lobby By Denise Parrish

Augusta radio stations 104.3 WBBQ and 96.3 KISS-FM will broadcast live from the lobby of the Children’s Hospital of Georgia on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, Dec. 5-7, during the 13th annual Cares for Kids File Photo Radiothon. Dozens of miracle stories The Radiothon is just around the featuring patients, families, and staff corner when it will be on the Health will be shared during this fundraiser Science Campus on Dec. 5-7 for the area’s only hospital dedicated exclusively to children. years for CHOG through the RaPledges can be made online at diothon. In addition, Jodi Carson caresforkidsradiothon.com and dur(Koontz) of the syndicated show ing the Radiothon by calling locally “Murphy, Sam and Jodi In the Morn706-922-KIDS (5437) or toll-free ing,” was named CMN’s Radio Per1-866-412-KIDS (5437). Donors can sonality of the Year. Although they’re become “Miracle Makers” by pledgbased in Baton Rouge, La., the trio ing just $15 a month. travels to Augusta each December to The Radiothon is the largest single Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals host the Radiothon. The 154-bed not-for-profit Chilfundraiser for the Children’s Hospital dren’s Hospital of Georgia is the of Georgia. A record $230,000 was second-largest children’s hospital in raised in 2012. the state, providing the highest WBBQ and KISS were named colevel of pediatric critical care and winners of CMN’s Radio Station of neonatal intensive care, as well as a the Year award this year. The Clear wide range of general and complex Channel stations have raised more health care for children. than $2.8 million over the past 12

GReport

Georgia Regents University

Georgia Regents University GReport

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Georgia Regents University

Campus Safety Editor’s note: Please contact GRU Police at 706-721-2911 with any information about the following incidents or other crimeor safety-related issues.

Drug Violation

After nightfall on Nov. 18, GRU Police observed a gray Cadillac Deville being driven south on 15th Street without its headlights turned on. GRU Police stopped the vehicle in the CVS parking lot located on 15th Street and Walton Way, which is adjacent to Georgia Regents Health Systems Parking Lot 47. A check of the vehicle tag revealed suspended registration and no valid insurance. A check of the driver revealed he had an outstanding warrant out of Burke County, and he was taken into custody. One passenger gave a false name and was taken into custody, also. The driver gave consent for police to search the vehicle, which resulted in the finding of two glass jars with residue that tested positive for methamphetamine. A second passenger stated to GRU Police that it was a “meth lab,” and the passenger was taken into custody. Richmond County Sherriff’s Office, Narcotics Division, was notified of a possible “mobile meth lab” and responded to assist with the investigation and crime scene processing. The driver was charged with driving without headlights, driving an unregistered motor vehicle, no valid insurance, violation of the GA Controlled Substance Act, and felony manufacturing of methamphetamine. One passenger was changed with giving a false name, and both passengers were charged with felony manufacturing of methamphetamine. All three were processed and booked into the Richmond County Jail.

Alcohol Violation

On Nov. 16, GRU Police observed a silver Honda Accord being driven in an erratic manner inside the University Village Apartment Complex. The

vehicle was stopped, and police discovered an open container of alcohol between the driver’s front seat and the center console. The driver, under 21 years of age, was issued a citation for underage possession of alcohol. The vehicle was released to the driver’s father.

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Drug Violation

On Nov. 13, GRU Police stopped a white 2004 Ford Pickup Truck on 15th Street adjacent to GRU Parking Lot 2 for failure to maintain lane. GRU Police made contact with the driver and recognized the passenger as a subject who had been previously arrested for possession of cocaine. The following items were found in the driver’s purse: a bag of needles, a glass pipe used for smoking meth and crack cocaine, a blue straw used for snorting power cocaine, two baggies containing meth residue, a small tube that contained a white powdery substance believed to be cocaine, a small wooden box containing white residue, a metal box containing a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana, two spoons, one syringe containing 15ml of liquid believed to be methamphetamine, and a prescription bottle containing three orange-in-color pills believed to be amphetamine. The prescription was not issued to the driver. When questioned about the items found, the driver admitted to having used marijuana, meth, cocaine, and crack. The driver was arrested for possession of controlled substances – methamphetamine and amphetamine and possession of drug-related objects (drug paraphernalia). The driver was processed and booked into the Richmond County Jail. The passenger had outstanding warrants with the Richmond County Sherriff’s Office and was arrested, processed, and booked into the Richmond County Jail.

GRU Police: 706-721-2911

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Wednesday, December 4, 2013

GReport

Cross campus collaboration to aid student performer health By Adrian Greer The Georgia Regents University Department of Music is working with physician colleagues at the Center for Voice, Airway and Swallowing to ensure that its singers have healthy voices and are aware of voice-related health issues. The Center for Voice, Airway and Swallowing is part of the Department of Otolaryngology at GRU and is home to the CSRA’s only fellowship-trained laryngologists. Drs. Greg Postma and Paul Weinberger, Department of Otolaryngology faculty, have already had several meetings with students and faculty from the Music Department to discuss voice health issues. “These voice students are like professional athletes, in that they often put stress on certain parts of their bodies to perform and sometimes there are injuries,” Music Instructor Tonya Currier said. “This collaboration will allow our students to have access to state-of-the-art vocal care and answers to any questions about their voice or vocal injuries.” During one meeting held with a group of vocal students and faculty, Postma spoke with them about

some of the injuries that can be sustained while singing and some basic tips to keep in mind. “There are issues of misuse and issues of abuse,” Postma said. “Misuse is when you sing out of range, and abuse would be if you’re yelling, like at a football game.” Postma continued by discussing some of the technical injuries that can occur, from nodules that can form on the vocal chords to bruising of the vocal chords to more extreme injuries. “It’s important to also have a baseline laryngeal examination,” Postma told the group. “That means that we get a video of your larynx (voice box) so we can compare to it in the future. There is nothing better than looking back at old videos.” Postma then took the group to an exam room, and for a few members of the group, he inserted an endoscopic flexible tube into their nasal passages to get images of their larynges. The procedures went well, and Postma said that the larynges examined were very healthy. The results would be put on file at the medical center in case there were ever any injuries to the singers,

when they could be used as a frame of reference to guide treatment. “What they are offering our students is amazing,” Currier said after the meeting. “I’m very excited that we have this high level of care to offer our students.” According to Weinberger, medical voice centers, such as the one at GRU, are not commonplace. “Generally only the larger cities in the U.S. have voice centers — places like LA, Boston, New York, Atlanta.” Currier said that while the voice faculty work to avoid injuries, sometimes they still occur. “We teach our students how to sing properly without hurting their vocal chords,” she said. The collaboration will allow the Otolaryngology Department to collect unique research data by working directly with student singers that have far different strains on their larynx than most typical voice patients, as they are just learning to use their instruments. “It seems that everyone in both departments is very excited,” Currier said. “We can all reap the benefits from this collaboration.”

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Our mission is to provide leadership and excellence in teaching, discovery, clinical care, and service as a student-centered comprehensive research university and academic health center with a wide range of programs from learning assistance through postdoctoral studies.

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Our vision is to be a top-tier university that is a destination of choice for education, health care, discovery, creativity, and innovation.

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Wednesday, December 4, 2013

GReport

Georgia Regents University