StaffDear Readers,
It is a tremendous honor to serve as president of the Medical College of Georgia Alumni Association.
One of my first duties was welcoming our newest alumni at the MCG Hooding Ceremony in May. The energy was palpable as these graduates celebrated the end of their journey as medical students and began their first moments as MCG alumni.
Though many things have changed at our alma mater, one thing has not: the MCG Alumni Association’s mission to partner with you, our alumni, to continue to grow our medical college and our university. This mission is embodied first and foremost by our commitment to MCG students. Recent examples were our sponsorship of the Freshman Brunch in Augusta; welcome dinners for students and alumni at our regional campuses in Albany, Rome and Savannah; a luncheon for students at our partner campus in Athens; the annual Raft Debate; and an expanded HOST Program offsetting travel expenses for residency interviews.
The Alumni Association also strives to engage and support alumni throughout their careers. Examples include serving as exhibitors for the Medical Association of Georgia’s House of Delegates and sponsoring continuing-education courses.
One of the most effective ways to partner with the Alumni Association and reconnect with fellow alumni is to attend our regional receptions. These events are a great way to personally connect with MCG and hear updates from Dean Peter F. Buckley and other faculty members.
And don’t forget to join us April 29-May 1 for Alumni Weekend, where you can reconnect with old friends at events including a President’s Cookout, MCG Alumni Association Banquet and class reunions.
It is a true honor to serve this year as the MCG Alumni Association president and help our alma mater perpetuate its legacy of excellence in medical education. n
Dr. Buffi Boyd (’99)
President, MCG Alumni Association
Regional Dinners Keep Alumni Connected
Staying connected with alumni is one of the highest priorities of both the Medical College of Georgia and the MCG Foundation. And if those alumni can’t come to us, for instance during our annual homecoming celebration every spring, we come to them.
The MCG Alumni Association sponsors several regional dinners annually, canvassing the four corners of the state to bring MCG graduates together. The events enable MCG representatives to update attendees on their alma mater while helping cement already-strong bonds among former classmates. The dinners also serve as outstanding networking opportunities, enabling physicians to reconnect with old friends while making new ones in a pleasant, informal environment.
[su_note note_color=”#efefee” text_color=”#000000″ class=”story-side-box”]For more information, contact:
Scott Henson
Senior Director
Alumni Affairs
706-721-4416
shenson@gru.edu[/su_note]
Incoming chairmen of the regional dinners are:
Dr. George McClusky (’84), Columbus
Dr. Price Corr (’77), Albany
Dr. David Retterbush (’77), Valdosta
Dr. Dan DeLoach (’74), Savannah
Dr. Bill Brooks (’07), Macon
Dr. Sam Richwine (’77), Gainesville
Dr. Mark Ellison (’82), Athens
Drs. Kelley and Tommy Dopson (’82), Atlanta
Dr. P. Bates Bailey (’72), Dalton
Dr. Joe Burch (’85), Rome
Dr. Betty Wray (’60), Augusta
Dr. Wayne Rentz (’72), Saint Simons-Brunswick-Waycross
An ‘Investment in the Future’
To honor donors and inspire future philanthropy, the Medical College of Georgia Foundation, Inc., has contributed $1 million toward retiring remaining debt on the J. Harold Harrison, M.D. Education Commons.
“We feel this is an investment in the medical college and hopefully in philanthropy in the future,” said MCG Foundation Board Chairwoman Sandra N. Freedman (’68).
The $1 million comes from unrestricted gifts made to the foundation, many by MCG alumni, and earnings from the foundation’s investment of those dollars. The first-floor main corridor of the building has been named the Medical College of Georgia Foundation Commons Corridor.
“The Harrison Education Commons has transformed our medical school experience,” said D. David Davis, president of the Class of 2018. “’Thankful’ is the number-one word that comes to mind.”
The facility, which opened last January, bears the name of the late Dr. J. Harold Harrison (’48), who twice chaired the MCG Foundation and served a term as Alumni Association president. Harrison and his wife, Sue, donated $10 million for the $76.5 million building. Upon his death in 2012, his estate bequeathed $66 million for MCG scholarships and endowed chairs.
Many areas of the building bear the names of other donors to the facility, and additional naming opportunities are available. For more information, contact Ralph Alee at 706-721-7343 or ralee@gru.edu.
[su_note note_color=”#efefee” text_color=”#000000″ class=”story-side-box”]MCG Alumni Association 2015-16 Board of Directors
Dr. Buffi Boyd (’99), President
Dr. David Gose (’99), President-Elect
Dr. Mason Thompson (’73), First Vice President
Dr. Alan Smith (’95), Second Vice President
Dr. A. Lynne Brannen (’82), Secretary/Treasurer
General Directors
Dr. Joseph Burch (’85) Dr. Sandra Reed (’87)
Dr. T. Wayne Rentz (’72)
Dr. Harvey L. Simpson III (’91)
Dr. Hugh Smisson III (’86)
Recent Graduates
Dr. Betsy Richwine Bolton (’06)
Dr. Champ Baker (’02)
Class President Members
Dr. Ronnie Zeidan (’13)
Dr. Joshua Bell (’14)
Dr. Lael Reinstatler (’15) [/su_note]
