MCG Dept. of Medical Illustration: Current Events

This page is devoted to important activities and events in the lives of our students, alumni, staff and faculty, including recent awards and honors, educational events, and the occasional celebration of life.

Current Contents—

Our students received a total of three awards in the Student Salon at the 63rd annual meeting of the Association of Medical Illustrators (AMI), held July 16th through 20th, in Indianapolis, IN.

Our alumni received a total of fourteen awards in the prestigious Professional Salon at the 63rd annual meeting of the Association of Medical Illustrators (AMI), held July 16th through 20th, in Indianapolis, IN.

In the Instuctional Line Illustration category, Program Director Steve Harrison, Class of 1970, received an Award of Merit for "Right Paraduodenal Hernia." Kristen Larson, Class of 2006, also received an Award of Merit, for a series of didactic illustrations entitled "Treatment Maneuvers for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)."

Our alumni received a total of five awards in the Medical-Legal Illustration category. C. Knox Hubard, Jr., Class of 2000, received an Award of Excellnce for "Head Trauma." Awards of Merit were presented to: Hardy B. Fowler, Class of 2007, for "Release of Septal Scarring and Lid Crease Reformation"; Paul Gross, Class of 1986, for "Three Stage Maxillary Reconstruction"; Philip Mattes, Class of 1987, for "Initial Right Ankle Injuries"; and Matthew Whitford, Class of 2007, for "Anterior Compartment Muscle Loss Due to Necrosis." Amazingly, these five alums all work together at Medivisuals, in Richmond, VA.

In the Marketing/Promotional Illustration category, Kieth Pavlik, Class of 1989, received the Award of Excellnce for the "Nucleus Medical Art Marketing Book."

In the Animation: Advertising, Marketing, Promotional category, Craig Foster, Class of 1992, and his partner Keith Kasnot received the Award of Excellence for "VIABAHN Endoprosthesis."

In the Illustrated Medical Book-Atlas category, the husband and wife team of Gene and Allison Wright, both Class of 1990, received the Illustrated Book Award for "Pfizer Atlas of Infection in Dogs and Cats."

This year, the Ralph Sweet Member's Choice Award was presented to Asst. Professor Andrew Swift, Class of 1999, for the editorial illustration entitled "Fertility and the Fallopian Tube."

In ceremoies held on the evening of July 17th at the 63rd annual meeting of the Association of Medical Illustrators (AMI) in Indianapolis, John J. Martini, Class of 1982, was named a Fellow of the AMI. Quoting from the AMI brochure, "The designation of Fellow is a formal and pulic recognition of those members who have generously contributed considerable time and effort to the Association involunteer participation and service. The purpose of the AMI's Fellow Program is to encourage such volunteer participation in the activities of the Association." John has served on several committees and on the Board of Governors, and was Chairman of the Board. He has won numerous awards in the Professional Salon.

Bill Andrews becomes Vice Chairman of MCG Academic Council
—July 1st, 2008

The Vice Chair of the Academic Council serves as the official voice for the faculty at the Medical College of Georgia, and is the highest elected faculty position on campus. On July 1st, Bill Andrews, Assoc. Professor in the Dept. of Medical Illustration, became Vice Chair. Responsibilities include issues related to student performance and progression, institutional accreditation, faculty development, faculty promotion and tenure, faculty governance, research ethics, and the evaluation of administrators. The Vice Chair is also a member of the President's Cabinet. Bill is honored to serve the faculty and institution in this important and dynamic leadership position.

An exhibit of outstanding student artwork from the Medical Illustration Graduate Program is now on permanent display in the Office of Academic Affairs at the Board of Regents (BOR) of the University System of Georgia (USG), in Atlanta.

In January, a temporary exhibit of nine student artworks was displayed in the Boad of Regents Conference Room. Chancellor Errol Davis took special note of the artwork, complimented MCG President Daniel W. Rahn on the "marvelous art that teaches," and asked if a permanent exhibit would be possible. Bill Andrews, Gallery Director for the program, worked with Vice-Chancellor & Chief Academic Officer Susan Herbst, PhD, to plan and mount the exhibit. The first phase of the exhibit has been installed in the foyer and main hall. Ultimately, 30 pieces of artwork will be on permanent display. The artwork is primarily didactic in nature, and includes histological posters, surgical series and stills from animations.

The Dean's Gallery of Student Medical Illustration opened in May on the second floor of Pavilion III (the CJ building) on the MCG campus. Assoc. Professor Bill Andrews, Gallery Director for the Medical Ilustration Graduate Program, worked with Gretchen Caughman, Dean of the School of Graduate Studies to plan and establish this new permanent gallery dedicated to the exhibiton of our students' artwork.

"For this project," says Bill Andrews, "the partnership was a natural since completion of our twenty-one-month program results in a Master of Science degree awarded by the School of Graduate Studies. Since the gallery opened, it has generated a lot of positive interest in our program—and in our students' artwork." The gallery premiered with thirty-two pieces on display by our talented students. There are plans to expand the gallery to accommodate up to 100 pieces.

After nearly two years of study and hard work, the first cohort of the Class of 2008 graduated in ceremonies held on Friday, May 9th, 2008 at the Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center. After the Hooding and Commencement ceremonies, the day finished with a reception for the new graduates, their families and friends. At the reception, class president Tritan Cummings faced Final Jeopardy—a fiendishly clever oral exam by the faculty. Tristan, with a little help on Ohio trivia from the audience, successfully completed the exam and went on to play the key role in the Burrito Ceremony. The building of the Burrito gives the faculty one last opportunity to impart the wisdom of the ages with the new grads.

The Class of 2008 produced the following Master's Projects (See also related story, below):

To the Class of 2008, thank you for choosing the Medical Illustration Graduate Program at MCG. It has been a pleasure having you study with us. Congratulations!

The Second Annual Masters Project "Showcase" held on May 8th, 2008 gave the students in the Medical Illustration Graduate Program an opportunity to present their Masters Projects to their peers, subject matter experts, faculty, students, families and others.

Several years ago, it became apparent to our senior, soon to be graduating, students that they had only seen glimpses of the visual products that their classmates were producing as partial fulfillment for the degree of Master of Science in Medical Illustration. The members of our Class of 2006 requested the opportunity to make a full presentation of their educational packages to their peers and invited guests. Thus, the Masters Project “Showcase” was born, akin to the poster and oral presentations at Graduate Research Day.

The Masters Project in the Department of Medical Illustration fulfills the requirement for the “graduate thesis,” and presents a visual solution to a communications problem/need targeted to a specified audience. It may address a need for better visualization of a concept being taught in the lecture hall or classroom. The project might educate a patient about to receive surgery or a treatment modality, or it might help family members learn to care for their infant’s tracheostomy tube when the “at risk” child is sent home from the hospital.

Although not intended as a marketable, consumer-ready visual aid, the Masters Project has often been an important tutorial in a variety of educational situations. The “Showcase” has been a valuable means of introducing these educational packages to potential users, and stimulating creativity among graduate student producers of these projects.

Following her well-received presentation and workshop in 2007, renowned anaplastologist Gillian Duncan, Class of 1977, again visited the Medical Illustration Graduate Program. This year she gave a fascinating and moving lecture on the craft and practice of anaplastology (the art and science of restoring human anatomy by artificial means). Gillian then provided the Class of 2009 with a hands-on demonstration of molding and casting faces. Gillian was assisted by James Cormier, Class of 2008, who has a background in sculpture.

Gillian has over 20 years of clinical experience in the field, much of it gained from formative experiences early in her career while working in Germany. She constructed and fit patients with “epitheses” (the international term for facial prostheses). Creating facial prostheses is a pains-taking time-intensive process, requiring Gillian to spend many hours with her patients. “I learned European history first-hand from patients who had been in the military or who were civilians and injured in the war [WWII],” she says. About her passion for anaplastology Gillian says, "I do this work because of my love of art, science, and ‘a good story!’ It’s great to be doing something you love and that really helps someone else.” Gillian now resides with her husband Michael Belknap, Class of 1975, in Rochester, MN. In addition to a thriving private practice, Gillian is also the Director of the Anaplastology Program at The Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah. In addition, she is a leader in the American Anaplastology Association. We feel fortunate to count Gillian among our alumni, and to have hosted her presentation here in Augusta.

Homecoming this year included festivities celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the School of Allied Health Sciences (SAHS). During the SAHS Alumni Association Banquet on Saturday, April 26th, forty distinguished alumni who personify the school's mission, vision and values were recognized and honored. The Department of Medical Illustration was very well represented by four fabulous alums— David Mascaro (Class of 1969), Michael Belknap (Class of 1975), Kip Carter (Class of 1982) and Gene Wright (Class of 1990).

Our "Fab Four" epitomize the talent, dedication, committment and professionalism that our alumni are known for world-wide. There isn't room to list all their qualifications and awards, but we can offer a brief sampling.

James Cormier, Class of 2008, received the presitigous Inez Demonet Scholarship from the VT. This prestigious award was designated by bequest of lnez Demonet, a well known and respected medical illustrator. The Demonet was the first scholarship established by the VT, and is awarded annually to the student who exhibits outstanding merit and potential in the field of medical illustration. Currently, the Inez Demonet Scholar is awarded $2,000; in addition, they are made an ex officio member of the Trust Board of Directors. To encourage their participation, underwriting for their reasonable travel expenses is providing so that they may attend the Trust's interim board meeting held in conjunction with the AMI's annual meeting, as well as the Vesalius Trust's Annual Meeting.

The Demonet Award was formally presented during ceremonies at the 63rd annual meeting of the Association of Medical Illustrators (AMI), in Indianapolis, IN. In accepting the award, James said:

...I am deeply honored to be the recipient of the Inez Demonet Scholarship. I know within our program at MCG there were two other deserving applicants, and I am sure there were many more from the other programs in the US and Canada...

...I also want to express my gratitude to the Vesalius Trust for making opportunities like the Inez Demonet Scholarship and the various research grants available to students of medical illustration. Opportunities like these provide incentive for students to go the extra mile, to test themselves and to pursue excellence...

...I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my classmates at MCG. They all possess focus, drive and talents that I find positively amazing... I have never seen a group of people work so hard and so long at something in all my life.... I may be the recipient of the Inez Demonet Scholarship, but in my mind, each of my classmates is equally deserving of this honor. They are truly exceptional, and they make me proud to be a member of the Class of 2008...

...In closing, let me thank all of the medical illustrators in the audience tonight, and your predecessors throughout history. Your work has been my inspiration and it has guided me to my own pursuit of the field. From the works of Vesalius to those of our own modern masters, medical illustration has preserved the values of craft, beauty and skill unlike any other visual art. Simultaneously, it has seized upon every new advance in media and technology. I can't imagine anything more timeless or timely, and I proudly choose it as my profession. Thank you.

At a reception during homecoming, the Dept. of Medical Illustration honored two very special members of our family—Octavia Garlington, MS and William (Bill) J. Stenstrom, EdD.

The highlight of the reception for Octavia and Bill was the unveiling of their portraits. David Mascaro painted the portrait of Bill, and Steve Harrison painted the portrait of Octavia. Octavia's portrait now hangs in the student studio, and Bill's portrait hangs in our reference library. Alumni and friends were then asked to share anecdotes about the dynamic duo.

About Octavia— A member of the Class of 1961, after graduation Octavia remained at MCG to become an Instructor in the program, eventually moving up through the ranks to full Professor. She served briefly as Chief of Art Services, Division of Biomedical Communications at MCG, and later served as Acting Director of the graduate program. Octavia retired from daily teaching responsibilities in 1990. As an Emerita Professor, Octavia participates in special seminars on the history of medical illustration and on the development of the program. During a long and distinguished career Octavia has received many awards and honors. She twice has received the Outstanding Service Award from the Association of Medical Illustrators (AMI). In 2001, Octavia received the Brödel Award for Excellence in Education from the AMI. Here at MCG, Octavia was elected to Alpha Eta, the honor society for Allied Health Science, and has received the Outstanding Faculty Award from the School of Allied Health Sciences. She also twice has received the Distinguished Service Award from the MCG Faculty Organization. In 2004, Octavia received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the School of Allied Health Sciences Alumni Association. But Octavia is perhaps best priased by her students—for her unyielding demand for excellence in their work, and for her kind and sharing heart. She was always the students best, greatest advocate.

About Bill— Upon graduation from Mass General, Bill took a position as Chief, Medical Illustration Laboratory with the U.S. Veterans Administration Hospital in Seattle. Two years later, in 1954, he moved back to Boston to become the medical illustrator in ophthalmology at Harvard University Medical School, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. In addition to his duties as an illustrator, Bill also joined the medical illustration faculty at the Mass General program as an Instructor. In 1966, he moved west to become an Asst. Professor in the Medical Art program at University of Texas Health Science Center, Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. In 1975, Bill arrived in Augusta, GA to take the position as Program Director and Assoc. Professor in the Dept. of Medical Illustration at MCG. In addition to fulfilling his teaching and administrative duties, Bill earned his Master of Education degree from Georgia Southern College in Statesboro, GA, in 1980. Three years later Bill became a full Professor. In 1989, Bill received his Doctorate in Education from the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. Bill was instrumental in reorganizing the program curriculum, preparing for the digital age. Under his guidance, the first computers were purchased and graphics programs taught. He was also instrumental in establishing on of the best reference libraries in any medical illustration program in the country. He also initiated the collection of medical illustrations that grew into the David J. Mascaro Teaching Gallery. Through the years, Bill received many awards and honors for his artwork, including the Will Shepard Award and the Ralph Sweet Award from the AMI. And he has been honored for his dedication to service and teaching. From the MCG School of Allied Health Sciences, Bill received the Distinguished Service Award, in 1991, and the Outstanding Faculty Award, in 1982. Bill was elected to the Phi Delta Kappa, Kappa Delta Pi, and Alpha Eta national honor societies. Bill received the prestigious Louis Schimdt Award from the BioCommunications Association, in 2001. From the AMI, Bill was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, in 1994, and the Brödel Award for Excellence in Education, in 2007. In 1991, Bill retired from active service, becoming Chairman and Professor Emeritus of the program.

The Class of 2010 has been selected. After the rigors of obtaining an undergraduate degree and fulfilling the specific course prerequisites for application to our program, after the anxiety of selecting just the right images for the entry portfolio, and after surviving the tension of a personal interview with our world-renowned award-winning nine bright, accomplished artists have been selected as the members of the Class of 2010. They are: Jedidiah Campbell, Cliff Garzillo, Helena Martin, Elizabeth McDonald, Michelle Reinke, Begonia Rodriguez, J. Summer Smith and Doulas Walp. Congratulations! We're delighted you've chosen to further your education with us here at MCG.

Bill Andrews Named Distinguished Teacher
—April 14th, 2008

At the Spring Faculty Assembly of the School of Graduate Studies, Assoc. Professor Bill Andrews was honored with the Distinguished Teacher Award for 2008. Bill was nominated by the students, and as Dean Gretchen Caughman noted, "I've never seen so many outstanding letters of support for one nominee." Here are a just a few snippets:

"I can say that Bill Andrews is one of the finest instructors I have had the pleasure to learn from. His intuitive grasp of his students' needs, his sense of professionalism and his dedication to the fields of education and medical illustration set him apart from his peers."

"Bill's varied experiences in many facets of the communication arts, as well as his selfless devotion to the artistic and professional growth of students, distinguish him as a valuable resource to his students and to the institution..."

"It is not every day you find a teacher so dedicated that you feel they are your educator, mentor, inspiration, friend and family."

The award came as a surprise to Bill. When asked about the award, he replied, "It's terrific, and nice to have the recognition. But really, most of the credit goes to the students—all I do is help them find their way, then they do all the work of getting there." Back in class after the award presentation, Bill shared the award plaque with the students and thanked them for their nomination and letters of support. Then he asked them all to sign the plaque.

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2008 Student Scientific & Medical Illustration Exhibition
—March, 2008

More than forty masterful pieces of scientific and medical illustration were on display at the Robert B. Greenblatt, M.D. Library through the end of May. The scientific artwork documents and explains the natural world around us, and the medical artwork enlightens and inspires us about the world of medical science and the inner-workings of the human body. The illustrations were created by students in either the BFA program in Scientific Illustration at the University of Georgia, Athens (UGA) or the MS program in Medical Illustration at the Medical College of Georgia (MCG).

The show originally premiered on March 20th in the Main Gallery of the Lamar Dodd School of Art on the UGA campus. The exhibition was on view in Athens through March 27th. Then, the exhibition was transported to MCG’s Greenblatt Library, where it will be on view through the end of May.

At the Awards Ceremony in Athens on Wednesday, March 26^th, three MCG students received honors. An Award of Merit was presented to Meredith Boyter, for “Melanoma: Metastasis & Staging,” an educational poster for medical students about a deadly form of skin cancer. Patrick Eckhold also received an Award of Merit for “Histology of the Thymus,” for his educational poster about composition and function of the thymus gland. Anneliese Lilienthal received the prestigious William J. Stenstrom Award of Excellence for “The Erthyrocyte: A Closer Look” a didactic histology poster for medical students about the embryology, maturation, function of red blood cells.

This annual event is co-curated by Gene Wright, Director of the Scientific Illustration Program at UGA and Bill Andrews, Director, David J. Mascaro Teaching Gallery, Department of Medical Illustration at MCG. For further information about the show or the Mascaro Gallery, please contact Bill, at 706/721-3266.

MCG award winners at the 2008 Student Scientific & Medical Illustration Exhibition.
From left, Patrick Eckhold Anneliese Lilienthal and Meredith Boyter.
Photo by Bill Andrews

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David Mascaro Returns to Teach
—March 1st, 2008


			Assoc. Professor Emeritus David J. Mascaro, Class of 1969, returns to the classroom. Photo by Bill Andrews.

Assoc. Professor Emeritus David J. Mascaro, Class of 1969, is again teaching in the program. David returned when Andrew Swift went to half time. David had retired in 2000 after twenty-nine years of teaching and professional practice. David was recognized nationally for his teaching by the Association of Medical Illustrators, which honored him with the Brödel Award for Excellence in Education, in 1999. Once again, David brings a wealth of experience to the classroom and our critiques. His depth of knowledge about drawing, painting, and the crafting of visual stories is greatly appreciated by the faculty and students alike. His particular area of expertise is color—David has published numerous articles on the use of color in medical illustration and conducted many national and regional workshops on color theory. On being back, David said, "I'm delighted to be back in the mix. I have the utmost respect for our fine faculty, and I'm glad to be here helping the students learn their chosen craft." We are indeed fortunate to have him back. David will also be helping with our recruiting efforts and alumni outreach.

Our students received a total of six awards in the Student Salon at the 62nd annual meeting of the Association of Medical Illustrators (AMI), held August 19th through 22nd, in Bozeman, MT. Honors included Awards of Excellence in the Instructional Color and Editorial Illustration categories, and Awards of Merit in the Instructional Line and Projection Media categories. Alex Beerhorst, Class of 2007, received the O.A. Parkes Award for Best of Show in the Student Salon for his illustrated poster of "Spermatozoans: From Spermatogenesis to the Acrosomal Reaction." This prestigious award is named for Orville A. Parkes, the founding director of the MCG Medical Illustration program, and an early leader in the education of medical illustrators.

Tristan Cummings, Class of 2008, recieved an Award of Merit in the Instructional Line category for his work entitled "Open Versus Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy." Alex Beerhorst and Hardy Fowler, Class of 2007, each received an Award of Excellence in the Instructional Color category, both for the submission of didactic histology posters. Alex's illustrated poster was entitled "Spermatozoans: From Spermatogenesis to the Acrosomal Reaction," and Hardy's poster was on "The Eye: Tissues and Structures." In the Editorial Illustration category, Matt Whitford, Class of 2007, received an Award of Excellence for his work entitleed "Treatments for Endometriosis." Meredith Boyter, Class of 2008, received an Award of Merit in the Projection Media category for her suite of patient education illustrations about "Bilateral Breast Reduction."

In the Professional Salon at the 62nd annual meeting of the Association of Medical Illustrators (AMI) held August 19th through 22nd, in Bozeman, MT, our alumni received a total of 12 awards. Asst. Adjunct Professor Andy Rekito, Class of 2002, received the prestigious Will Shepard Award of Excellence in the Instructional Color category for his surgical illustration entitled "Dural Ateriovenous Fistula of the Anterior Condylar Confluent and Hypoglossal Canal Mimicking a Jugular Foramen Tumor."

In the Editorial Illustration category, Stephen Oh, Class of 1991, received an Award of Excellence for his artwork entitled "Neuromyelitis Optica and NMD-IGG Antibody," and Kristin Larson, Class of 2006, recieved and Award of Merit for her artwork entitled "Psychiatric Diagnosis in Hypothalamic Hamartoma Patients." Kristin also received an Award of Merit in the Instructional Line category for her illustration entitled: "Neuroscience Patient Positioning."

In the Medical-Legal Illustration category Paul Gross, Class of 1986, received an Award of Excellnce for his exhibit entitled "Distal Radius and Ulna Movements with Short Arm CastVersus Long Arm Cast." Knox Hubard, Class of 2000, received an Award of Excellnce for the exhibit co-created with Cynthia Hye-Won Yoonentitled "Appearance After FatalCrash Injury." And Jennifer Darcy, Class of 2004, received an Award of Merit for her exhibit entitled "Pelvic and Lower Extremity Fracture and Fixation."

In the Animation category, Craig Foster, Class of 1992, received an Award of Excellence for the piece co-created with Keith Kasnot entitled "Anti-Angiogensis in Action: The Proposed Early and Continued Effects of Anti-VEGF Therapy." Craig also received Awards of Merit for "Excluder" and Accuity," also co-created with Keith Kasnot.

Asst. Adjunct Professor Kip Carter, Class of 1982, received an Award of Merit in the Illustrated Medical Book: Atlas category for the book entitled "Atlas of Facial Implants." In the Illustrated Medical Book: Reference/Clinical Text category, Cameron Slayden, Class of 2005, received an Award of Merit for the book entitled "Short-Scar Face Lift." The book was co-illustrated with Amanda Behr.

Bill Stenstrom Receives Brödel Award for Excellence in Education
—July, 23rd, 2007

The Award recognizes outstanding educational contributions to the profession, and is the highest educational achievement award within the profession of medical illustration. Criteria include continuing contributions to education, presentation of papers and workshops at regional and annual meetings, service to students and association members, and literary contributions to the association’s newsletter and to professional journals. At the award ceremony Asst. Adjunct Professor Carolyn Holmes, Class of 1990, presented a review of Bill's career, with highlights of his AMI service and his many accomplishments:

Fifty years ago, he was already an instructor at the Massachusetts General Hospital School of Medical Illustration, from which he had graduated in 1952. At that time Bill had already begun that other part of his career for which he would become so well known and by which he would educate thousands—illustrating ophthalmology.

Right after graduation, he served as Chief, Medical Illustration Laboratory with the U.S. Veterans Administration Hospital in Seattle, WA. Two years later, he headed back East to work at Harvard University Medical School, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. Shortly thereafter he joined Murieal McLatchie Miller as faculty in the Mass General program. Bill would continue to teach and illustrate in Boston for the next 12 years.

In 1966, Bill moved to the University of Texas Health Science Center, Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, TX. He joined the faculty as Asst. Professor of Medical Art. In 1968, he became Asst. Professor of Ophthalmology as well as Asst. Professor of Medical Illustration. During that time he chaired the AMI section of BIO ’70 in Houston, and was elected president of the AMI in 1974.

As a demonstration of how forward looking Bill was, and how focused he is on effective teaching of medical illustration, during his presidency he pushed for a national competency exam for all graduating students. This caused something of an uproar—in Bill’s words—and the proposal was shot down. But nearly 20 years later the Medical Illustration Certification Exam was initiated.

And even after all that hullabaloo, Bill was reelected for a second term as AMI president. Do you know we have only had four presidents reelected for two consecutive terms: Tom Jones, Ralph Sweet, Gottfried Goldenberg and Bill Stenstrom.

In 1975, after six years teaching in Dallas, Bill moved east to Augusta, GA to become Director of the Medical Illustration Program at the Medical College of Georgia. He served as department Chairman for sixteen years, during which time he earned two degrees: a Master of Education and a Doctorate of Education in Curriculum and Instruction.

Bill put that education to good use. He modified MCG’s three-year curriculum and condensed it to two years, without losing essential content. He worked always to incorporate emerging technologies into the curriculum, including a student darkroom and later, a student computer lab. And, he redesigned the Masters Comprehensive Exam to have all students demonstrate basic competencies before graduation—as he had proposed to the AMI a decade earlier.

Under Bill’s leadership 107 students earned their Master of Science in Medical Illustration degree from MCG.

Dr. Stenstrom retired in 1991, being named Professor Emeritus, but he still travels to MCG each year to give the students his ophthalmology lecture. He has now served as emeritus chair for as many years—16—as he served as chair.

In his 50 years as an AMI member, Bill Stenstrom has received almost every single award offered by our organization. In addition to the Ralph Sweet Award for best medical illustration in the AMI Salon, and the Will Shepherd award for best color illustration, he has been honored with the Outstanding Service Award and in 1994 he received the Lifetime Achievement Award.

His personal achievements since his retirement are no less significant. Since stepping down from MCG, Bill has:

When asked what he feels his greatest achievement has been so far, Bill says, “Well, to have made a difference in a lot of people.” You have Bill.

In accepting the Brödel Award, Bill joined a good and select company. Steve Harrison, Class of 1970, received the award in 2006. Bill Winn, Class of 1966, received the award in 2002. Octavia Garlington, Class of 1961, received it in 2001. And, David Mascaro, Class of 1969, received the award in 1999.

Three of our illustrious alumni were bestowed the honor of Fellow of the Association of Medical Illustrators (FAMI) in recognition of their exemplary service to the Association and the profession. Amy P. Collins, Class of 1981, Carolyn R. Holmes, Class of 1990, and Gene N. Wright, Class of 1990. As a bit of trivia, Amy Collins and her husband, Sam Collins, Class of 1982, are the only couple in the history of the AMI to both receive the honor of Fellow.