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Contact Us:

Dept. of Medical Illustration
Medical College of Georgia
1120 15th Street, CJ1101
Augusta, GA 30912-0300
Phone: 706-721-3266
Fax: 706-721-7855


Department Chairman and
Associate Professor
Steven J. Harrison


Associate Professor and
Education Program Coordinator
William M. Andrews


Assistant Professor and
Admissions Coordinator
Andrew E. B. Swift


Administration Specialist
Joyce Mentel

Current Events.
Composite image: backgournd image "Stapes" vignette from a 3D animation entitled "Auditory Transmission" by Brandon Pletsch, Class of 2003; inset image "Surgical Repair for Occular Exotropism" in pen & ink by Andy Rekito, Class of 2002.

Illustration Credits:

"Stapes," vignette from a
3-D animation entitled "Auditory Transmission" by Brandon Pletsch, Class of 2003.

"Surgical Repair for Ocular Exotropism" in pen & ink by Andy Rekito, Class of 2002.

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—

Bill Andrews Voted in as Vice Chairman-Elect of the MCG Academic Council

New Class Selected!

Congratulations to the Class of 2007!

Masters Project Showcase 2007

Renowned Anaplastologist Gives Lecture & Demo

Emily Craig Receives 2007 Distinguished Alumnus Award

George Lynch & Bob Benassi Come Home

2007 Student Scientific & Medical Illustration Exhibition

New Commissioner for CAAHEP

Meredith Boyter Design Honored

2006 AMI Salon Awards

Twenty-five Year Recognition by AMI

Steve Harrison Receives Brödel Award for Excellence in Education

Congratulations to the Class of 2006!

MCG Hosts Annual Student Conference

2006 Student Scientific & Medical Illustration Exhibition

Vesalius Trust Elections

Faculty Presentations at National & International Conferences

Bill Andrews Voted in as Vice Chairman-Elect of the
MCG Academic Council
—June 15th, 2007

In a campus wide election held in June, Bill Andrews, Assoc. Professor in the Dept. of Medical Illustration, was voted the Vice Chairman-Elect of the MCG Academic Council. Following a one-year term, Bill will automatically become the Vice Chairman. The Academic Council serves as the official voice for the faculty at the Medical College of Georgia. 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. Bill is honored to serve the faculty and institution in this important and dynamic leadership position.

New Class Selected!
—May 15th, 2007

The Class of 2009 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 2009. They are: Kelly Carvallis, Kevin Clark, Brett Ganyard, Nathaniel Kline, Marco Machionni, Mark Mangum, Lindsay Moore, Yolanda Supersad and Emma Vought. Congratulations to you all, we're delighted you've chosen to further your education with us here at MCG.

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Congratulations to the Class of 2007!
—May 11th, 2007

After nearly two years of study and hard work, the first cohort of the Class of 2007 graduated in ceremonies held on Friday, May 11th 2007 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. This was where the Class of 2007 experienced their last rites. Representing the Class of 2007, Heidi Dalberg faced Final Jeopardy—a fiendishly clever oral exam by the faculty. Heidi, with a little help on Wisconsin trivia from her father, 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 share some words of wisdom with the new grads.

Photo: The Class of 2007! Seated left to right, Leigh Margaret Pearson, Emily Jensen and Heidi Dalberg; standing left to right, Hardy Fowler, Sigrid Hart, Matthew Whitford, Blake Swanson, Brenden Taylor and Alex Beerhorst. Not shown, Katherine Relyea. Photo by Phil Jones, MCG.
Congratulations to our newest graduates, the Class of 2007! Seated left to right, Leigh Margaret Pearson, Emily Jensen and Heidi Dalberg; standing left to right, Hardy Fowler, Sigrid Hart, Matthew Whitford, Blake Swanson, Brenden Taylor and Alex Beerhorst. Not present, Katherine Relyea.
For a look at samples of their work, click on a student's name below. Photo by Phil Jones.

The Class of 2007 produced the following Master's Projects (See also related story, below):

  • Alex Beerhorst
    Mechanisms of Capillary Hyper-Permeability in the Inflammation of the Lungs: an Animation of the Extravasation of Neutrophils during Acute Lung Damage and Infection
  • Heidi Dalberg
    Effecting Patient Outcomes Through Tracheostomy Home Care Education
  • Hardy Fowler
    Musculoskeletal Degeneration in the Aging Adult
  • Sigrid Hart
    Instructional Animations to Improve Teaching of the Thoracic Epidural Paramedian Technique
  • Emily Jensen
    Cervical Cancer Prevention: Visualization of Pap Smear and Colposcopy for an Indigenous Population in Peru
  • Leigh Margaret Pearson
    Minocycline's Potential Effect in Reparation of Stroke-Effected Tissues (In Progress)
  • Katherine Relyea
    Genetic Mutation Relevant to the Progression of Colorectal Carcinoma
  • Blake Swanson
    Implantable Devices for the Modulation of Intractable Pain
  • Brenden Taylor
    Promoting Community Awareness of Glaucoma Risk, Types, Treatment and Resources, Specifically Targeting Local African-American Mid- to Low-Income Demographics (In Progress)
  • Matthew Whitford
    Visualizing the Carioststic Mechanism of Fluoride

To the Class of 2007, thank you for choosing the Medical Illustration Graduate Program at MCG. It has been a pleasure having you study with us. Congratulations to you all!

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Masters Project Showcase 2007
—May 2nd, 2007

The Second Annual Masters Project "Showcase" held on May 2, 2007 gave the students in the Medical Illustration Graduate Program an opportunity to present their Masters Projects to their peers, subject matter experts, faculty, students, and other interested persons.

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.

Artwork: Montage of artwork announcing the Masters Project "Showcase" on May 2, 2007. Image designed by Heidi Dalberg, Class of 2007.

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.

—Story by Steven J. Harrison

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Renowned Anaplastologist Gives Lecture & Demo
—April 30th, 2007

Renowned anaplastologist Gillian Duncan, Class of 1977, visited the Medical Illustration Graduate Program on Monday, April 30th. 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 followed-up with a hands-on demonstration of molding and casting body parts for our students. Gillian was assisted by James Cormier, Class of 2008, who has a background in sculpture.

Photo: Anaplastologist Gillian Duncan, Class of 1977, at left, presents a hands-on demonstration of molding and casting body parts. Gillian is assisted by James Cormier, Class of 2008. The volunteer "patient" is Sigrid Hart, Class of 2007. Photo by Bill Andrews.
Anaplastologist Gillian Duncan, Class of 1977, at left, presents a hands-on demonstration of molding and casting body parts. Gillian is assisted by James Cormier, Class of 2008. The volunteer "patient" is Sigrid Hart, Class of 2007. Photo by Bill Andrews.

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.

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Emily Craig Receives 2007 Distinguished Alumnus Award
—April 28th, 2007

Photo: Award recipient Emily Craig, PhD, was introduced and congratulated by Dept. Chairman Steve Harrison, Class of 1970, at the School of Allied Health Sciences Alumni Association Banquet. Photo by Phil Jones, MCG.
Photo: Emily Craig, PhD, Class of 1976. Photo by Phil Jones, MCG. Photo: Cover of "Teasing Secrets From the Dead" by Emily Craig, PhD. Photo by Phil Jones, MCG.
Top: Award recipient Emily Craig, PhD, was introduced and congratulated by Dept. Chairman
Steve Harrison, Class of 1970, at the School of Allied Health Sciences Alumni Association
Banquet; above left, Emily Craig, PhD, Class of 1976; and above right, Emily's
fascinating book. Photos by Phil Jones, MCG.

Dr. Emily Craig received the 2007 Distinguished Alumnus Award at the School of Allied Health Sciences Alumni Association Banquet during Homecoming. A member of the Class of 1976, Emily went on to earn a PhD in forensic anthropology. For the past 13 years, she has headed Kentucky’s Division of Medical Examiners. She is the author of Teasing Secrets from the Dead, which highlights her career path from medical illustration to forensic anthropology.

After graduating from MCG, Dr. Craig spent 15 years at the Hughston Orthopedic Sports Medicine Clinic in Columbus, Ga., where she established the clinic’s first medical illustration unit and hired more than a half-dozen MCG medical illustration alumni. She has received awards from the Student American Medical Association, the Southern Medical Association and the Association of Medical Illustrators.

In 1991, she returned to school to pursue a doctorate in forensic physical anthropology at the University of Tennessee and its historic Body Farm. She has been profiled on America’s Most Wanted, Unsolved Mysteries and 48 Hours and has worked at notorious crime scenes, including the site of the former World Trade Center and the Branch Davidian massacre in Waco, Texas.

Excerpted from a story by Gia Johnson

To read another MCG story about Emily and her fascinating career, click here.

Visit Emily Craig's Website.

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George Lynch & Bob Benassi Come Home
—April, 2007

We were honored to host our very first students—George Lynch and Bob Benassi—for their return to Augusta for Homecoming this year. In addition to a tour of the department—"It sure has changed from when we were students here!"—they had an opportunity to meet and interacted with our current students—"Were we ever that young and smart?" George and Bob also had an opportunity to sit down with department Chairman Steve Harrison to videotape their recollections of the early days of the program and their experiences as students at MCG.

Photo: George Lynch, our first "experimental" student. Photo by Bill Andrews. Photo: Bob Benassi, Class of 1951, our first graduate. Photo by Bill Andrews.
At left, George Lynch, our first "experimental" student; at right, Bob Benassi,
Class of 1951, our first graduate. Photos by Bill Andrews.

The Department of Art as Applied to Medicine was established in April 1948. Jack Wilson, who had trained under Max Brödel at the Johns Hopkins University, was appointed Professor and Director of the new department which had both an academic and a service unit. He had one student, George Lynch, who was enrolled in an experimental non-degree program. Professor Wilson's immediate efforts were directed toward planning a curriculum which would warrant the awarding of the Master of Science degree in Art As Applied to Medicine. Bob Benassi, the first student in the graduate program, was admitted in September 1949. Having accomplished his goal of designing a curriculum and having it approved by the University of Georgia System, Wilson left for an extended leave of absence to work with L.W. Frolich & Co. in New York, NY. Wilson's Johns Hopkins classmate, Orville A. Parkes, was appointed to fill in during his absence, and George left to fill Parkes' vacated position at Duke University. Through the additional efforts of Professor Parkes, the master's degree curriculum gained the approval of the Board of Regents in February 1950, and in the fall of that year, the name was changed to the Department of Medical Illustration. In June, 1951, the department, then in the School of Medicine, awarded its first Master of Science degree to Robert C. Benassi. For more information about the history of the department, please click here.

George first learned about medical illustration as a career from Elon Clark, Director of the Department of Medical Illustration at the Duke Medical Center, and Orville Parkes a medical illustrator working for Clark. George was then in the V-12 pre-medical program at Duke University on the GI Bill. When the war ended, so did the V-12 program. Following an honorable discharge from the Navy in 1945, George moved to Sarasota, FL and enrolled in the Ringling School of Art. Here he first met Jack Wilson, one of the instructors. When the administration changed at the Ringling School, several of the instructors, including Jack Wilson, set up a new art school in an old Cuban cigar factory in Key West, FL. George went too. Regardless of how well he was doing in school, George needed a job to support his young family, so they moved back home to North Carolina, where George found work as Director of Advertising for a small firm. In September, 1948, Jack Wilson called and asked George to come to Augusta and be an experimental student. Wilson was then working with Dr. G. Lombard Kelly to develop a curriculum in Art As Applied to Medicine at the Medical College of Georgia. As part of his training, George audited the medical school courses, and says, "I was assigned my own cadaver for dissection, and drew and identified the anatomy as it was dissected. I observed autopsies and was called on to sketch in the operating room on occasion." Examples of George's student artwork are in the Program's permanent collection and can be seen on display in the David J. Mascaro Teaching Gallery of Medical illustration. George finished his first year in Augusta as his funding through the GI Bill ran out. He was asked to stay on as a second year student, but instead accepted an offer from Elon Clark at Duke Medical Center. George filled the vacancy left by Orville Parkes, who was moving to Augusta to replace Jack Wilson. In August, 1949, George left MCG to for a position with Elon Clark at Duke for an annual salary of $3,300. His first assignment was the urogenital section for the 11th edition of "Morris's Anatomy." In his fifth year at Duke, he was made a faculty member in recognition of his contributions to medical education. In 1954, George was recruited by the Bowman Gray School of Medicine of Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC. George would replace Hooker Goodwin, who was going to Chicago to become director of the medical illustration at the University of Illinois. George became the Director of the Department of Medical Illustration and an Asst. Professor. He retired in 1991 from Bowman Gray as Professor Emeritus of Biomedical Communications.

In speaking about his days as our first official student, Bob says, "I was something of a 'guinea pig.'" He took the same course work as the MD students in addition to many art courses. He graduated in June of 1951, but he says, "I stayed a third year while the possibility of offering a PhD degree was being entertained in 1952. I stayed at MCG a fourth year as an instructor, and left in June of 1953 to freelance in Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN. After eighteen years of freelancing in the Twin Cities I joined the staff of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN." Bob retired in 1995 from the Mayo Clinic. Although, reitred is a bit of a misnomer, since he recently made a gift to the David J. Mascaro Teaching Gallery of Medical illustration of a wonderful carbon dust illustration completed earlier in 2007.

George and Bob were on hand at the School of Allied Health Sciences (SAHS) Alumni Association Banquet on the evening of Saturday, April 28th when Emily Craig, Class of 1976, received the 2007 Distinguished Alumnus Award. During the evening Dean Shelley Mishoe recognized many of the alumni present, including George as the our first student and Bob as our first graduate (See photo below).

Photo: Dean of the School of Allied Health Sciences Shelley Mishoe greets Bob Benassi, Class of 1951. Photo by Phil Jones, MCG.
Dean of the School of Allied Health Sciences Shelley Mishoe greets Bob Benassi,
Class of 1951. Photo by Phil Jones, MCG.

In addition to Bob, George and his gracious wife Suzanne, other alumni who were in town to attend the Homecoming festivities included: Grover Hogan, Class of 1968, Charles Boyter, Class of 1974, and his wife Janie, Michael Belknap, Class of 1975, and his wife Gillian Duncan, Class of 1977. They were joined by resident Augusta alumni Octavia Garlington, Class of 1961, David Mascaro, Class of 1969, and his wife Gail.

Photo: Emily Craig, PhD, Class of 1976, 2007 SAHS Distinguished Alumnus, and Bob Benassi, Class of 1951, our first graduate. Photo by Bill Andrews. At left, Emily Craig, PhD, Class of 1976, 2007 SAHS Distinguished Alumnus, and Bob Benassi, Class of 1951, our first graduate; below, Octavia Garlinton, Professor Emerita, Class of 1961, and Gillian Duncan, Class of 1977. Photos by Bill Andrews.

Photo: Octavia Garlinton, Professor Emerita, Class of 1961, and Gillian Duncan, Class of 1977. Photo by Bill Andrews

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2007 Student Scientific & Medical Illustration Exhibition
—March, 2007

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).

Artwork: "Spermatozoans: from Spermiogenesis to the Acrosome Reaction” an educational poster by Alex Beerhorst for histology students about the general physiology of a spermatozoan and key moments in the journey from a sperm’s formation in the seminiferous tubules to its entrance into the oocyte.

This is a juried show, with certificates and prizes awarded for the best examples of student scientific and medical illustration. Three MCG students received honors this year (See photo below). An Award of Merit was presented to Hardy Fowler, for “Eye Tissues & Structures,” an educational poster that describes the composition and organization of the eye for histology students. Matthew Whitford also received an Award of Merit for “Treatments for Endometriosis,” an image showing the many treatment options for endometriosis that might appear with the lead article in a medical journal. Alex Beerhorst received the prestigious William J. Stenstrom Award of Excellence for “Spermatozoans: from Spermiogenesis to the Acrosome Reaction” an educational poster for histology students about the general physiology of a spermatozoan and key moments in the journey from a sperm’s formation in the seminiferous tubules to its entrance into the oocyte.

The 2007 show premiered on March 19th in the Main Gallery of the Lamar Dodd School of Art on the UGA campus. The exhibition was on view in Athens through March 30th. Then, the exhibition was transported to MCG’s Greenblatt Library, where it will be on view through the end of May. 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.

Photo: MCG award winners at the 2007 Student Scientific & Medical Illustration Exhibition. From left, Alex Beerhorst, Hardy Fowler, Dept. Chair Steve Harrison and Matt Whitford. Photo by Bill Andrews
MCG award winners at the 2007 Student Scientific & Medical Illustration Exhibition.
From left, Alex Beerhorst, Hardy Fowler, Dept. Chair Steve Harrison and Matt Whitford.
Photo by Bill Andrews

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New Commissioner for CAAHEP
—January, 2007

Assoc. Professor Bill Andrews has been elected as the Association of Medical Illustrators (AMI) representative to the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Bill was elected by the Accreditation Review Committee for the Medical Illustrator (ARC-MI) of the AMI. Bill is also a member of ARCMI, and serves as a Site Visitor for Program Review.

Meredith Boyter Design Honored
—December, 2006
—Adapted from the article
by Sharron Walls for the MCG "Beeper"

A poster designed by Meredith Boyter, Class of 2008, was selected for display at the official openings of the Central Academy of Fine Arts Design Center and the American Institute of Graphic Arts Nov. 18-23 in Beijing, China.

Artwork: Poster by Meredith Boyter, Class of 2008. Award-winning poster by Meredith Boyter, Class of 2008.

Meredith's poster is one of 54 in a series, based on a 2003 design initiative originally commissioned by the United Nations Development Programme to bring attention to economic, social, health-related, geographical and educational issues worldwide. The series, including Ms. Boyter’s work, can be seen and downloaded at www.aiga.org/content.cfm?ContentAlias=inequalitymatters.

“I was fascinated by the report because there were so many countries I’d never heard of facing issues that are really global – the inequality in education and health problems that ravage so many parts of the world,” Ms. Boyter said.

Artists were asked to choose an issue they were passionate about. As a native of Atlanta, where cases of HIV and AIDS are high, Ms. Boyter felt she most closely identified with the epidemic in Africa.

“Part of the challenge was demonstrating the depth of the crisis using numbers and facts,” she explained. “I wanted to arrange it so the information was clear but still strike a chord visually.”

Ms. Boyter graduated magna cum laude from the University of Georgia in 2004 with a bachelor of fine arts degree. At UGA, she received the Betty Cabin Undergraduate Scholarship in Scientific Illustration, the Joshua Laerm Award of Excellence in Scientific Illustration and a Scientific Illustration Award of Excellence.

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AMI Salon Awards
August 3, 2006

Congratulations to our students and alumni who received honors at the 61st annual meeting of the Association of Medical Illustrators (AMI) held August 2nd through 6th, in Boston, MA!

Kristin Larson, Class of 2006, and Brenden Taylor, Class of 2007, each received a Certificate of Merit in the Student Medical Color category. Kristin was honored for a surgical series entitled "Right Tympanoplasty" and Brenden was honored for the didactic anatomical illustration entitled "The Olfactory Tract and Limbic System" (See images below).

Artwork: "Right Tympanoplasty" by Kristen Larson, Class of 2006. Artwork: "The Olfactory Tract & Limbic System" by Brenden Taylor, Class of 2007.

"Right Tympanoplasty," one step from
a surgical series by Kristin Larson,
Class of 2006.

"The Olfactory Tract & Limbic System,"
a didactic illustration by Brenden Taylor,
Class of 2007.

In the Professional Salon in Boston, awards went to the following alumni:

  • John Hagen, Class of 1979
    Certificate of Merit in Instructional Continuous Tone
    Trans-sulcus Intraocular Lens Fixation
  • Miriam Kirkman-Oh, Class of 1991
    Award of Excellence in Editorial
    Cat Analgesics
  • Steve Oh, Class of 1991
    Award of Excellence in Editorial
    Atopic Dermatitis
  • Sam Collins, Class of 1982
    Certificate of Merit in Marketing/Promotional
    Curvature of the Spine
  • Jennifer Darcy, Class of 2004
    Certificate of Merit in the Medical-Legal
    Radial Head Fracture and Elbow Injuries
  • Glen Hintz, Class of 1985
    Award of Excellence in Interactive Media
    The Dermatology Lexicon Project

Award-winning reference/clinical text illustrated by Kip Carter, Class of 1982 and Brad Gilleland, Class of 2002.

  • Kip Carter, Class of 1982, Brad Gilleland, Class of 2002 et al
    Certificate of Merit in the Medical Book: Reference/Clinical Text
    Infectious Diseases of the Dog and Cat by Dr. Craig Greene
  • Kari Toverud, Class of 1983, and Sam & Amy Collins, Class of 1982
    Certificate of Merit in the Medical Book: Nursing/Allied Health Text
    The Healthy and the Diseased Person

Congratulations to all our talented students and alumni!

View previous Student Awards

View previous Alumni Awards

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Steve Harrison Receives Brödel Award for Excellence in Education
August 3, 2006

At the 61st annual meeting of the Association of Medical Illustrators (AMI), Assoc. Professor and Chairman Steve Harrison, Class of 1970, received the prestigious Brödel Award for Excellence in Education. At the award ceremony AMI President Kip Carter, Class of 1982, presented a light-hearted review of Steve's career with highlights of his AMI service and his many career accomplishments.

Photo: Steve Harrison, recipient of the 2006 Brödel Award for Excellence in Education. Photo by Ted Kuclick.


Photo at left by Ted Kuklick, Association of
Medical Illustrators.

Photo: The Brödel Award for Excelllence in Education.

Remarks by many of Steve's colleagues and friends were included. Bill Winn, Class of 1966, and former Director of the Medical Illustration Graduate Program at UT Southwestern Medical Center, said, "Steve's brilliance in medical art education is demonstrated in the current program curriculum at MCG, where students are the proud recipients of an up to the minute mix of traditional and digital media." Linda Wilson-Pauwels, Professor and Director of the Dept. of Biomedical Communications at the University of Toronto said, "For many years, it has been my pleasure to work closely with Steve as a member of the Council on Education. Steve has proven to be an enthusiastic colleague who is dedicated to his students, his program, the AMI and our profession.” Edward Diethrich, M.D., founder of the Arizona Heart Institute offered this opinion, “This presentation of the Educator of the Year award [sic] to Steve Harrison is further testimony of his outstanding career as a leader in medical illustration. These accomplishments and endeavors span over three decades impacting young students toward their future ambitions.” And rounding out the award ceremony, long-time colleague and friend David Mascaro, Class of 1969, subjected Steve to a little brotherly roasting.

A subsequent story in the MCG "Beeper" noted, "The award, which recognizes outstanding educational contributions to the profession, is the highest educational achievement award given in 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 professional journals."

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

Twenty-five Year Recognition by AMI
August 5, 2006

Assoc. Professor Bill Andrews was recognized for his twenty-five years as a Professional Member of the Association of Medical Illustrators (AMI) at its annual meeting in Boston. During this time in the AMI, Bill has served on the Board of Governors, and has also served President, Editor-in-Chief of the AMI-News, Editor of the Source Book, and founding President of the Vesalius Trust. He has also served on or chaired numerous AMI committees. Bill was recognized as a Fellow of the AMI in 1989, and received the Outstanding Service Award in 1995.

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Congratulations to the Class of 2006
May 12, 2006

After nearly two years of study and hard work, the Class of 2006 graduated in ceremonies held on Friday, May 12th 2006. After the Hooding and Commencement ceremonies, the day finished with a reception for the new graduates, their families and friends. Here, the newly ex-students experienced their last rites of passage before leaving MCG. Representing the Class of 2006, Emily Ullo faced Final Jeopardy—an oral exam with tongue-in-cheek questions prepared by the faculty. She successfully completed the exam, and went on to play the key role in the Burrito Ceremony, in which the faculty provide the new graduate with an artist's canvas roll, symbols of their new trade, and some final words of wisdom.

The Class of 2006 produced the following Master's Projects:

  • Alissa Hogan Eckert
    Canine Anatomical Comparison Using the Vetpacs System
  • Michael Konomos
    A Patient's Guide to the Role of Aspirin and Clopidogrel in
    Reducing the Risk of Myocardial Infarction
  • Kristin Larson
    Dynamic Visualization of the Respiratory Alveoli and the Blood-Air Barrier
  • Michael Pollard
    Understanding and Visualizing the Pharyngeal Arches
  • Diantha Tevis
    Physiological Strain During Exercise in the Heat
  • Emily Ullo
    Effecting Patient Outcomes in Home Care Settings
    Through Educational Materials

Upon graduation Alissa accepted a position with the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, GA. Michael Konomos accepted a position with the Dept. of Cardiology at MCG, in Augusta. Kristin accepted a position working with Mark Schornak, Class of 1987, at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, AZ. Michael Pollard has formed an animation and creative services business (Myelinated Graphics) in partnership with John Geganto. Diantha accepted a position as medical illustration in the Div. of Visual and Instructional Design at MCG. And Emily accepted a position with Seif & Associates in Richmond, VA. Congratulations to you all!

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MCG Hosts Annual Student Conference
April 20th through 22nd, 2006

The Dept. of Medical Illustration played host to this year's student exchange conference with the Dept. of Art As Applied to Medicine at Johns Hopkins Medical School. Assoc. Professor and Chairman Gary Lees and Assoc. Professor Tim Phelps and their students journeyed from Baltimore to August on April 20th for the conference.

The program featured two full days of educational presentations and information exchange. Mark Schornak, Class of 1987, Art Director at the Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) was the keynote speaker. Mark gave two presentations: "Neurological Illustration at the Barrow Neurological Institute" and "Neurological Relationships for the Medical illustrator." Retired Chairman of the MCG Dept. of Neurology, Thomas R. Swift, MD gave a fascinating talk, simply titled "Headache." Kip Carter, Class of 1982, presented "Strategies for Building and Maintaining a Client Base." Tim Phelps presented a demonstration entitled "Ink, It's What You Think" for the MCG students, while Bill Andrews offered "Getting Started in Painter" to the Johns Hopkins students. Emilly Ullo, Diantha Tevis and Michael Konomos (all Class of 2006) presented their Master's Projects to the gathering, as did Johns Hopkins students Lauren O'Malley and Jonathan Geganto. Bill Blakesley, Class of 1995, presented "3-D Production for the Pharmaceutical Industry" to the group. Michael Jensen, Class of 2005, presented "The Virtues of Flash for Medical Illustration," and Andrew Swift, Class of 1999, talked about "Colorization in PhotoShop." Tim Phelps wrapped things up with an interesting look at the history of flame painting, with "Fire Attire." The farewell banquet was held Saturday evening at Dunlap Gallery & Studio, on Broad St. in downtown Augusta.

We were delighted to host our colleagues and peers from Johns Hopkins, and appreciate their long journey to Augusta to participate in this valuable program. We look forward to visiting them next year. The 2006 Student Conference was an enjoyable success. Our sincere thanks to all our speakers and to the many fine people who helped make it possible.

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2006 Student Scientific & Medical Illustration Exhibition
March 22, 2006

Featuring more than fifty masterful artworks, the 2006 Student Scientific and Medical Illustration Exhibition premiered on March 15th in the Main Gallery of the Lamar Dodd School of Art on the UGA campus. The artwork was 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). This annual event is co-curated by Gene Wright, Director of the Scientific Illustration Program at UGA and Bill Andrews, Director of David J. Mascaro Teaching Gallery, Dept. of Medical Illustration, at MCG. The exhibition was on view in Athens through March 31st, when it was transported to MCG’s Greenblatt Library. It was on view in the library from April 10th through the end of May.

This was a juried show, with certificates and prizes awarded for the best examples of student scientific and medical illustration. Three MCG Medical Illustration students received honors this year. Alex Beerhorst, Class of 2007, received a Certificate of Merit for "The Floor of the Mouth,” a didactic illustration designed for medical students that displays the tongue and related structures of the lower jaw.” A Certificate of Merit also was presented to Michael Konomos, Class of 2006, for “Atherosclerosis,” an educational histology poster that describes the genesis of atherosclerosis to an audience of medical students. Kristin Larson received the prestigious William J. Stenstrom Award of Excellence for “Right Tympanoplasty,” a suite of surgical illustrations. Designed for surgical residents, the objective was to clearly explain the anatomy and major steps of the surgical procedure so that they will be better able to assist in the procedure.

Recipient of the William J. Stenstrom Award of Excellence, "Right Tympanoplasty," a selected step from the surgical series by Kristen Larson, Class of 2006.

View previous Student Awards 

Vesalius Trust Elections
February, 2007

In elections during the annual meeting of the Board of Directors of the Vesalius Trust for Visual Communication in the Health Sciences (VT), Assoc. Professor Bill Andrews was elected Vice-President. Bill replaces Mark Schornak, Class of 1987, retired from the office but remains involved with the VT as an Advisor to the Board. Other MCG alumni involved with the VT include: Mike Belknap, Class of 1975, who continues to serve as President; Assoc. Professor Steve Harrison, Class of 1970, who continues to serve as Secretary; and Jerry Guillot, Class of 2000, continues to serve as a member of the board.

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Faculty Presentations at National & International Conferences

November '06— Assoc. Professor Bill Andrews was honored to be asked to be a visiting professor at Purdue University. On November 9th & 10th, Bill visited the Purdue University Regional Visualization & Analytics Center, where he presented a lecture to a visualization methods class. He also served as consulting artist to several doctoral students working on research projects in the Purdue Rendering & Perceptualization Lab.

October '06— Bill Andrews was a co-presenter of a full-day tutorial at the VIS 2006 conference held October 29th through November 3rd in Baltimore, MD. This international conference was sponsored by the IEEE's special interest groups in Visualization and Visual Analytics Science & Technology (VAST). Bill was the lead speaker for "Illustrative Visualization for Medicine and Science."

Bill Andrews was an invited speaker at the annual congress of the Association Européenes des Illustrateurs Médicaux et Scientifiques (AEIMS), held October 5th through 7th, in Bristol, United Kingdom. In keeping with the theme of the congress, "Human/Animal," the title of Bill's talk was "From Comparative Anatomy to the Surgical Suite." Sigrid Hart, Class of 2007, attended the meeting as well, and participated in the Salon. Both Sigrid and Bill were elected to membership in AEIMS at this congress.

September '06— Bill Andrews was a co-presenter in absentia of a half-day tutorial at Eurographics 2006 conference held September 4th through 8th in Vienna, Austria. This international conference is sponsored annually by the European Association for Computer Graphics. Bill participated via a narrated PowerPoint presentation in the tutorial on "Illustrative Visualization for Medicine and Science."

August '06— Assoc. Professor Steve Harrison, Class of 1970, was an invited presenter at the Traditional Techniques Showcase during the 61st annual meeting of the Association of Medical illustrators (AMI), held August 2nd through 6th, in Boston, MA. Steve gave a live demonstration of his beautiful colored pencil and gouache technique.

Also at the AMI meeting, Bill Andrews gave a full-day workshop on getting started with Corel Painter®. The workshop was held at the School of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. Students enjoyed a hands-on experience, as well as CEUs, as Bill provided indepth instruction, tips and techniques about using this powerful natural media program.

Asst. Professor Andrew Swift, Class of 1999, participated in the Digital Techniques Showcase at the annual AMI meeting. Andrew presented lively demonstrations of Alias SketchBook® and Apple OsiriX® software.

July '06— Bill Andrews was a co-presenter of a full-day tutorial at the SIGGRAPH 2006 conference held July 30th through August 3rd in Boston, MA. This 33rd international conference and exhibition on computer graphics and interactive techniques was sponsored by the Association of Computing Machinery's (ACM) special interest group in Graphics. Bill participated in presentation of a full-day tutorial on "Illustrative Visualization for Medicine and Science."

On July 24th, Bill Andrews was privileged to serve as a guest lecturer at the Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA). Bill gave a presentation on "Copyrights for the Artist" to the students enrolled in the Biomedical Art Program at the CIA.

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June 29, 2007