StaffFrom The President
Brooks A. Keel (BS ’78, PhD ’82)
To my fellow alumni: Augusta University is grateful for the tremendous support we receive from state officials and the confidence they have shown in us. I am privileged to share with them the work of our talented faculty, staff and students and our significant contributions to Georgia. Our potential to do even more is boundless.
With the visionary support of Gov. Nathan Deal and members of the Georgia General Assembly, our university has garnered tremendous financial support to move our vision forward.
The FY19 budget contains $49.4 million to relocate the College of Science and Mathematics to the Health Sciences Campus. We will soon break ground on a state-of-the-art facility that will put undergraduates who aspire to be health professionals and researchers right in the middle of the white coats while freeing up space in Summerville to grow the three remaining colleges.
The budget also includes $14.4 million for the Georgia Cyber Center, added to the nearly $100 million previously allocated. The center houses a cyber range, lab and classroom space, a technology incubator hub, and training space for state cybersecurity initiatives and workforce development programs. These investments represent opportunities for our students, faculty and community on a scale we are only beginning to realize.
Recent allocations also include $1.37 million to establish the Adrenal Gland Center at the Medical College of Georgia; $750,000 for six new fellowships; and $10 million to support graduate medical education at MCG — all recognition of the critical role we play in providing health care to Georgians.
I encourage you to support AU and to help persuade our state government to continue their support. Your voice matters. Consider thanking your local legislators for their support. Email to find AU events in your local community. Subscribe to Capitol Connections, emailed weekly during the legislative session, and reach out to legislators about items that are important to our alma mater.
Thank you for your continued support!
1950s
Dr. William S. Hagler (MD ’55) received the 2018 Distinguished Alumnus for Professional Achievement award from the Medical College of Georgia.
1960s
Dr. Lloyd B. Schnuck Jr. (MD ’68) received the 2018 Distinguished Alumnus for Loyalty award from the Medical College of Georgia.
1970s
Dr. Paulette Harris (BS ’71, MEd ’74, EdS ’95), founder of the Augusta University Literacy Center, recently signed a contract with Kendall Hunt Publishing Co., along with two area educators, Linda G. Smith and Beverly R. McGee. Kendall Hunt will publish their books: Lights, Camera, Read: Puppetry Path to Science and Math and Clappity Clap.
Sharon Pappas (BSN ’75) received the 2018 Phoebe Kandel Rohrer Distinguished Alumna award from the College of Nursing.
Drs. Will and Rhonda Rogers (MD ’78) were honorary chairs of the 28th annual Magnolia Ball, benefitting the Tanner Medical Center’s neonatal intensive unit in Carrollton, Georgia.
Dr. Patrick J. Scannon (MD ’76) received the 2018 Distinguished Alumnus award from the Chemistry Department at the University of Georgia.
Dr. Judy Teasley (BA ’72, MEd ’97, EdS ’06) won a seat on the Columbia County, Georgia, School Board on May 22.
Dr. John Turrentine (MD ’79) portrayed Robert E. Lee during the Lincoln County Historical Society’s History in the Park series.
1980s
Dr. Bruce Ashendorf (DMD ’81) received the 2018 Distinguished Alumnus award from The Dental College of Georgia.
Dr. WillieNell Bryant-Pitts (MD ’83) received her 20-year longevity pin from the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.
Erwin Reid (BBA ’83) received the 2018 Distinguished Alumnus award from the James M. Hull College of Business.
Susan Huesel-Ortiz (BS ’86) was awarded a specialty credential, the Certificate of Added Qualifications, from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
Katherine Sweeney (BA ’82, MPA ’99) received the 2018 Distinguished Alumna Award from the Katherine Reese Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.
1990s
Dr. Matthew G. Erickson (MD ’96) appeared on Caravan to Midnight with John B. Wells on Jan. 16, where he discussed his sepsis treatment kit, which is based on the metabolic cocktail developed by Dr. Paul Marik of Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia.
Dr. John Fiveash (MD ’93), professor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Radiation Oncology, is part of a team bringing proton therapy to Alabama. The UAB Proton Therapy Center will open in 2020.
Lori Foster (BA ’94) received the 2018 Distinguished Alumna award from the College of Science and Mathematics.
Dr. Natalie Hogan (MD ’93) was named Chair of Pediatrics for Mercer University’s Savannah campus.
Katie Kern (BA ’98) has been promoted to Partner and Chief Operations Officer for the Atlanta-based technology marketing and PR firm Media Frenzy Global.
Dr. Jean-Pierre Mobasser (MD ’98) was elected by his peers to serve as president of Goodman Campbell Brain and Spine in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is also vice chair of the Indiana University Department of Neurological Surgery.
LaWanna Monday-Harden (BS ’98) received the 2018 Distinguished Alumna award from the Augusta University Athletics Department.
Judith Stallings (BS ’86, PA-C ’90, MHE ’03) received the 2018 Distinguished Alumna award from the College of Allied Health Sciences.
Karyn Warren (BS ’98, MEd ’00, EdS ’06) received the 2018 Distinguished Alumna award from the College of Education.
2000s
Dr. Craig D. Albert (BA ’01) received the 2018 Outstanding Young Alumni Award from Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.
Dr. Carolyn Clevenger (DNP ’07) received the 2018 Outstanding Young Alumni Award from the College of Nursing.
Jennifer Detchemendy (BSN ’03, MSN ’08) received the 2018 E. Louise Grant Distinguished Alumna award from the College of Nursing.
Dr. John Haffner (DMD ’07), owner of All Stars Pediatric Dentistry in Cumming, Georgia, was voted Best Children’s Dentist for the fourth year in a row by readers of the Forsyth News.
Dr. Brian Holland (MD ’00) was named division chief of pediatric oncology for the University of Louisville School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics.
Stephanie Johnson (MHS ’08) received the 2018 Outstanding Young Alumni Award from the College of Allied Health Sciences.
Dr. Amber Lawson (DMD ’06) received the 2018 Outstanding Young Alumni Award from The Dental College of Georgia.
Dr. Brett Mitchell (PhD ’03) received the 2018 Distinguished Alumnus award from The Graduate School.
Heather Morin (BBA ’00, MBA ’03) received the 2018 Outstanding Young Alumni Award from the James M. Hull College of Business.
C. Derrick Quarles Jr. (BS ’06) received the 2018 Outstanding Young Alumni Award from the College of Science and Mathematics.
Dr. Garett Seeba (DMD ’09) is certified by the American Board of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and practices in Webster, Texas.
2010s
Maura Bravo (MEd ’12, EdS ’13) was named assistant principal of Baker Place Elementary School in Grovetown, Georgia.
Dr. Chris DeLeon (DMD ’11) was featured in the Georgia Dental Association’s “Member Moments.”
Dr. Latifa Fakoya, DO (MFRI ’11) joined the medical staff at Houston Methodist Rheumatology Associates.
Dr. Jeffrey Goldberg (MD ’10) joined Optim Orthopedics in Savannah, Georgia, and specializes in foot and ankle-related issues as well as general orthopedics.
Reed Halterman (BSN ’11, MSN ’14) received the 2018 Outstanding Young Alumni Award from The Graduate School.
Christopher Harris (MAT ’12, EdS ’15) was named principal of Warren County High School in Warrenton, Georgia.
Dr. Jason Holt (EdS ’13) received the Tenenbaum Award from the School Leadership Executive Institute of the South Carolina Department of Education.
George Lazari (MD ’12) received the 2018 Outstanding Young Alumni Award from the Medical College of Georgia.
Mollie McGowan (DPT ’16) was named a 2018 provisional member of the Americus Junior Service League.
Patrick Reed (member of Augusta’s 2010 and 2011 NCAA National Championship golf teams) won the 2018 Masters Tournament.
Ann Sturkey (MEd ’10, EdS ’11) received the 2018 Outstanding Young Alumni Award for the College of Education.
Dr. Paul Trotter (DMD ’10) received the 2018 Outstanding Young Alumni Award for The Dental College of Georgia.
In April, AU Health Family Medicine Associates Care Center joined the AU Health family, part of our ambulatory care expansion in the Augusta area. All of the facility’s physicians and advanced practice providers are alumni:
April U. Fox, PA-C (BS ’04)
Meghan Sterett, PA-C (MPA ’10)
Chris Hall, PA-C (AS ’94, BS ’99, BS ’07)
Susie McBride, NP-C (BSN ’94)
Dr. William Conkright (MD ’94)
Dr. C. Judson Pickett (MFRI ’86)
Dr. Anthony Smith (MD ’84)
Dr. Andrew VanAlstine (MD ’98)
