Karen GutmannFrom cybersecurity to cadaver labs to a new home-away-from-home for families of young patients, the items on the agenda for the third-annual Congressional Fly-in spectacularly showcased the great things happening at GRU.
In early April, GRU’s Government and Community Affairs Office hosted 17 health and education policy staffers from Georgia’s Congressional delegation for a 24-hour whirlwind tour of our university and health system.
The visit was bookended by a warm welcome and institutional overview from Provost Gretchen Caughman and a presentation by MCG Dean Peter Buckley on graduate medical education and the importance of growing residency slots to serve Georgia’s health care needs.
We are proud to showcase the great work of Georgia’s newest R-1 research university and hope to continue in years to come. –Provost Gretchen Caughman
“The Congressional Fly-in gives GRU a chance to underscore the importance of the work being done on our campus,” said Caughman. “As an educational institution, we want the Georgia delegation and staff to have a deeper understanding of GRU’s contributions to the state of Georgia and the region.”
Our guests couldn’t help but be impressed with the state-of-the-art educational facilities at the new J. Harold Harrison, M.D. Education Commons. Opportunities for hands-on exploration of the simulation, dental, and cadaver labs gave them a taste of the rich and interactive experience afforded today’s GRU medical and dental students.
Joanne Sexton, Director for GRU’s Cyber Security Educational Initiatives, described progress in the development of GRU’s cybersecurity program, part of our commitment to help build the cyber security education programs of tomorrow.
They also toured the new Ronald McDonald House. Located adjacent to the Children’s Hospital of Georgia, it is seven times the size of its predecessor in downtown Augusta and has 22 bedrooms with private baths, a playroom especially for children with suppressed immune systems, a large family kitchen, and a living room for family activities. “This annual visit provides attendees a personal and up-close view of an academic health center in full motion, knowledge we hope will be helpful when making policy decisions back in Washington,” said Caughman.
