From the Presidents
As president, I spend a lot of time talking to our constituents about indicators of MCG’s success: increasing funding for research, increasing applications and enrollment, strong student retention and graduation rates, national accolades for clinical programs. I’m equally proud of less tangible signs of accomplishment, particularly the commitment of our faculty, staff and students to improving the quality of life in our community—in Augusta, in Georgia and beyond.
When we launched MCG’s current strategic planning process, we more clearly and succinctly articulated our mission, and we endorsed six values that form the foundation of the good work of this institution: leadership, social responsibility, compassion, diversity, professionalism and excellence. I am proud that this university has embraced these values, both in our work on campus and in the time we volunteer in the community.
In addition to responsibilities at MCG and personal commitments, members of the Medical College of Georgia family are actively engaged in the life of this city and state. They find ways to help our community thrive, enhancing their lives and the lives of others.
This issue of MCG Today includes a feature about MCG’s bone marrow drive, an annual event coordinated by MCG students to add individuals to a national registry of bone marrow donors, specifically targeting minorities, because recipients are more likely to find a match with someone from their own racial or ethnic group. But much more in these pages tells the story of how vital a place MCG is and how much it contributes to our city, our state, our nation and our world.
In May, MCG awarded degrees to more than 650 graduates—newly minted health care professionals and biomedical researchers. These are well-trained, compassionate professionals who extend the reach of the institution’s mission. MCG’s impact is felt not only in the activities staged in the classrooms, laboratories and clinics of this academic medical center, but also in the positive changes our alumni effect in the quality of life of their fellow citizens. This, I believe, is our most significant indicator of success.
Daniel W. Rahn, M.D.
President, Medical College of Georgia
None of us wants to be associated with the word obesity. But thanks to Americans’ super-sized diets and inclination to sit in front of TVs and computers, it is a word that can no longer be ignored.
Obesity affects not only our adult population, but also our children. A 2003 University of Georgia study found that 22 percent of Georgia’s fourth-graders are overweight or obese, compared with 15 percent of their peers across the nation. Another study demonstrates that the prevalence of obesity in Georgia has increased from 10.8 percent in 1990 to 25.2 percent in 2004. Childhood obesity can lead to adult obesity, which can contribute to diseases such as hypertension, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, sleep apnea and joint problems.
What lies ahead is considerable work to increase physical activity, promote better diets and improve the prevention and treatment of obesity, particularly in youth.
For several years, MCG Health System has helped obese children learn about healthy living through its Fitness Champs program. The program offers physical fitness, nutritional and medical assessments to personalize a program specifically for each child. The result is that children learn to modify their behavior, which can help prevent medical problems later in life.
Within these pages, you will learn the views of several experts on various aspects of obesity, including eating disorders, and the physiological, psychological, social, environmental and economic implications of obesity. Also featured are several MCG programs that address obesity. We hope you enjoy reading about our proactive efforts to address this serious problem.
Sincerely,
Don Snell
President and Chief Executive Officer,
MCG Health, Inc.