Graduate School Beneath the Surface - A Handbook for Success

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Graduate Student Organization Printing and Copying ServicesCollege of Graduate Studies Georgia Health Sciences UniversityGeorgia Health Sciences University Annex II Building1120 Fifteenth Street 524 Fifteenth StreetCJ-2201 HT-1220Augusta, GA 30912 Augusta, GA 30912(706) 721-3278 (706) 721-[email protected] [email protected]

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Welcome

Graduate School Beneath the Surface

MCG and Augusta

A Handbook for Success

JJ 2641First edition published in July 2010

Edited by

Samuel Herberg (EIC)Preethi GanapathyKatie SpitlerKrystal BrinsonLee CromwellCourtney Wimmer McCrackenLeann VanLandinghamNatalie HorsemanCaroline McKinnonJuan MoColleen CareyAshish GuravJulie Devi CoatsNamita Hattangady

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the following individuals for their help and support in creating the GSO Welcome Handbook, Version 2, 2012/13:

- Dr. Patricia Cameron - for all of her support and the willingness to provide

funding for this endeavor.

- The College of Graduate Studies.

- The editors of “Secrets of Success” published by the Medical College of Georgia

- for allowing us to use their handbook as a template for ours.

- And of course, all of the wonderful students who contributed information about

their respective programs.

THANK YOU!!!

Disclaimer

The content included in this handbook has been compiled from a variety of sources and is subject to change without notice. Reasonable efforts have been taken to ensure the accuracy and integrity of all information provided here, but the Graduate Student Organization (GSO) is not responsible for misprints, out-of-date information, or errors. All links in this handbook lead to resources located on servers that are not maintained by the GSO or under its control. The GSO is not responsible for the contents or availability of any such referenced web sites.

Graduate School Beneath the Surface - A Handbook for Success

Graduate Student Organization - GSO 2

Table of Contents

Getting Started 4Email/Student Account ..........................................................................................4Immunizations ........................................................................................................4Health Insurance ....................................................................................................5Parking .....................................................................................................................6

Relocation Guide...........................................................................................................6Address/Registration ..............................................................................................6Vehicle Tag O!ces .................................................................................................8Post O!ces ..............................................................................................................8Utilities .....................................................................................................................9For Our International Students ..........................................................................10Where Should I Live? ...........................................................................................11

Student Life at GHSU .................................................................................................14Program Overview ...............................................................................................14Graduate program: Biomedical Sciences ...........................................................15Graduate program: M.D./Ph.D. ..........................................................................26Graduate program: Medical Illustration............................................................27Graduate program: Biostatistics .........................................................................30Graduate program: Nursing ................................................................................33

Student Services ..........................................................................................................39Student Organizations ...............................................................................................40GHSU/CGS Traditions ...............................................................................................41

Outdoors and Sports ..................................................................................................42!e Augusta Canal ......................................................................................................42

Paths and Trails .....................................................................................................42Petersburg Boat Tours ..........................................................................................44

!e Savannah River ....................................................................................................44Hiking and Biking in and around Augusta ............................................................45Enjoying Other Sports ...............................................................................................46

Life Outside of School ................................................................................................49Fun and Games ....................................................................................................49Sports .....................................................................................................................50Movies....................................................................................................................51Recreation .............................................................................................................52Educational/Historical .......................................................................................54Music & !eater ...................................................................................................54Dance .....................................................................................................................56Pets & Vets ............................................................................................................57Augusta’s Major Events ......................................................................................58


Restaurants and Nightlife ..........................................................................................59On Campus ...........................................................................................................59Places within 5 Miles of GHSU .........................................................................59Downtown ............................................................................................................61More Upscale Places ...........................................................................................63Nightlife ................................................................................................................63Bars with Activities/Trivia ................................................................................64

!e Necessities of Life ................................................................................................65Shopping ...............................................................................................................65Special Food Items ..............................................................................................66Pharmacies ...........................................................................................................66Hospitals ...............................................................................................................67Dental Clinics ......................................................................................................67Places of Worship: ...............................................................................................67

A"erword ......................................................................................................................69

3 Graduate Student Organization - GSO


Getting StartedBy Preethi Ganapathy and Juan Mo

So you’ve just gotten accepted to the program of your choice and after celebrating your good fortune, you realize that you really have no idea what you need to do before you start. Whether you’re already a Georgia resident or are traveling here from another country, moving to an entirely new city can be unnerving. But don’t fret! Augusta, Georgia has a lot to offer in the way of cities and before you know it, the Georgia Health Sciences University will begin to feel like home. We’re here to make this transition a little easier and introduce you to our school and our city. This section is here to let you know what you NEED to do and what you DON’T need to do to get ready to attend GHSU and make the big move to Augusta, GA. So read up and you’ll be well prepared for your “first day of school”!

Email/Student AccountSetting up your professional email account and gaining access to your student account online are some of the first steps you need to take. You should receive an email with your username and password and information on how to begin this process. Almost every website you will need for GHSU can be found at one place: https://portal.georgiahealth.edu/portal/page/portal/MyMCG/Login. “Pulse” is where you view your financial aid status, pay tuition, print transcripts, register for classes (depending on your graduate program, this may be taken care of your first semester), and see your schedule. Make sure to log in to Pulse first with your temporary password and create a new password – if you set up your email first, your password will stop working and it’s a hassle to fix. Your email account is accessed through the “Microsoft Outlook Web App” link (or your copy of Outlook on your computer). If you have any problems or questions, you can contact the IT Service Desk at (706) 721-4000.

ImmunizationsGHSU requires that you get multiple immunizations before you get here. We know that it’s an inconvenience, but it’ll be even more of a pain if you don’t get these taken care of as soon as possible! Please see the following website for all required forms: http://www.georgiahealth.edu/shs/prereg.html.

Pre-registration requirement:Certification of Immunization (all students): The form along with the required laboratory results should be faxed to 706-434-7417. Positive PPD Test Questionnaire (complete only if you have a history of a (+) PPD):Privacy Policy Receipt (all students): Medical Record Information (all students):



Required Immunizations:MMR: Two (2) doses are required with the first dose at 12 months or later and the second at least 30 days after the first dose or provide lab evidence of immunity. Measles (Rubella): Two (2) doses are required with the first dose at 12 months or later and the second at least 30 days after the first dose or provide lab evidence of immunity. Mumps: Two (2) doses are required with the first dose at 12 months or later and the second at least 30 days after the first dose or provide lab evidence of immunity. Rubella: Students must be immunized at twelve (12) months or later or provide lab evidence of immunity. Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis (Primary): Documentation of the original primary series. Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis (Booster): Documentation of Tdap booster meets the requirement. Polio: Documentation of the original primary series meets the requirement. PPD (MANTOUX Skin Test required!): Must be administered no more than 3 months prior to start of class. BCG does not preclude testing. Repeat testing required annually. If you have a positive PPD, a chest x-ray result and completion of the Positive PPD Questionnaire are required. Varicella: Documentation of lab evidence of immunity meets the requirement. Hepatitis B: A series of three (3) immunizations and a positive HbsAb titer meet the requirement. The Hepatitis B antibody titer lab result (to be drawn 4-8 weeks after the third injection) must be on file in SHS.

All of these shots can be obtained at the local health department or at GHSU Student Health, and some of them may even be covered by your insurance. More detailed information concerning required vaccinations can be found at http://www.georgiahealth.edu/shs/immuniz.html. Also, you can call Student Health Services at 706-721-3448 and get answers to any questions you many have about immunizations. Their hours are Monday – Friday 8:00am-5:00pm. Or, you can go to website to see the frequent questions: http://www.georgiahealth.edu/shs/Immunizations_%20FAQ.html.

Health InsuranceGHSU also requires that you have health insurance. If you are entering GHSU uninsured, you will automatically be covered through the mandatory Board of Regents (BOR) Student Health Insurance plan with Pearce and Pearce Student Insurance and the charges will show up on your student Pulse account. (Note: PhD



students who are appointed as Graduate Research Assistants (GRAs) receive single-person Pearce and Pearce Student Insurance through their program at no cost to them.) If you already have your own insurance, you need to check and see if your plan meets GHSU’s requirements and will need to submit and obtain approval of an online waiver to opt out of the GHSU student insurance plan. Everything to know about the Pearce and Pearce Student Insurance, from the plan summary to the online waiver form, can be found at http://www.studentinsurance.com/Schools/GA/MCG/?CollegeID=148.

ParkingRegistering for parking can be an interesting process here. It’s perfectly fine to put it off until you go to get your Student ID badge during your scheduled time on the week of orientation. Your second option is to go to http://www.georgiahealth.edu/psd/prkgandtranspsvcs/ and complete the Vehicle Registration Form. At the bottom of the form are instructions for sending it in. There are two types of parking spots:

Non-Reserved Parking: $25 per month/ $300 per yearReserved Parking: $60 per month/ $720 per year

Most students find that Non-Reserved Parking is sufficient, but if you want the convenience of getting to campus later than 9am and hate 5-minute walks, Reserved Parking is for you.

Relocation GuideBy Preethi Ganapathy, Colleen Carey, and Ashish Gurav

When moving to the great city of Augusta, you may have to jump through a few hoops to get the opportunity to call yourself a “resident”. You’ll need to officially change your mailing address, change the address on your driver’s license (or get a driver’s license), and register your vehicle in the county. It’s not fun, but it’s one of those things that are better to get done as quickly as possible.

Address/Registration1. Change of Address https://moversguide.usps.com/?referral=USPSYou can do this online, or stop by a post office to pick up the form. You can specify the date to begin forwarding. After this is set up, you can apply to have the address on your driver’s license updated.



2. License Address https://online.dds.ga.gov/DlAddressChange/File your change of address through USPS first, then go online to complete the forms and they will send a new license within 30 days. Out-of-staters will need to apply for a license in person within 30 days of moving and must provide proof of Georgia residence in one of the following forms: recent bank statement or utility bill, rental contract or receipt of rent payment, paycheck or letter from employer, or the Georgia driver’s license of a parent or spouse. A helpful website is: http://www.DMV.org.

*FYI: Those of you who have a foreign driver’s license are technically required to surrender your license when you obtain the Georgia one.

Augusta DMV3423 Mike Padgett Hwy

Augusta, GA 30916(706) 860-3616

South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles1913 Ascauga Lake Rd

North Augusta, SC 29841(803) 279-6659

http://www.scdmvonline.com/DMVNew/default.aspx

3. Vehicle registration, tags and titleCurrent Georgian, new Augustan:After you change the address on your license, you will be in the system and should be contacted later (about two months before your birthday) to complete your vehicle registration and get stickers for your tag (see below if you have to go to the tag office).

New Georgia Residents:You must register within 30 days of moving. Bring your:

Georgia driver’s license (see above)Title application (http://motor.etax.dor.ga.gov/)Proof of insuranceRecent vehicle emissions testYour wallet (including a checkbook)



Vehicle Tag Offices

491 Laney-Walker BoulevardAugusta, GA 30901

(706) 821-2476

2029 Lumpkin RoadAugusta, GA 30906

(706) 821-2476

New South Carolina Residents:You may use a valid driver’s license from your former state for up to 90 days. You must convert to a South Carolina driver’s license before the end of the 90-day period. You have 45 days to transfer your vehicle title and registration. Bring your:

Out-of-state vehicle title and registrationLiability insurance informationCompleted Form 400 Application for Certificate of Title/Registration(http://www.scdmvonline.com/DMVNew/forms/400.pdf)Paid vehicle property tax receiptTitle and Registration Fees (Title $15, Passenger car fee $24)

Post Offices

Surrey Center483 Highland AvenueAugusta, GA 30909

Main Augusta Office525 8th Street

Augusta, GA 30901

Hill Station1434 Stovall Street

Augusta, GA 30904

Forest Hills3301 Wrightsboro Road

Augusta, GA 30909

North Augusta1450 Georgia Ave

North Augusta, SC 29841

Clearwater4435 Jefferson Davis Highway

Clearwater, SC 29822



Utilities1. WaterAugusta

You’ll need to apply in person at the Augusta Utilities Department and bring a driver’s license or social security number and paperwork indicating ownership of the property or a lease agreement. There is a $25 fee to establish the account. They offer same day service, but allow 2-3 days just in case.

Locations: 2760 Peach Orchard Road, (706) 842-3050 530 Greene Street, (706) 821-1851North Augusta

You’ll need to apply in person at the North Augusta Municipal Building and bring a driver’s license and paperwork indicating ownership of the property or a lease agreement. There is a $25 fee to establish the account.

Location: 100 Georgia Avenue, North Augusta, SC 29841, (803) 441-4221 http://www.northaugusta.net/

2. Home Trash CollectionAugusta

The fee is $276 per year for one garbage bin, and a recycling bin can be requested for free. Call (706) 592-3200 if there is not already a trash bin at your new address.

North Augusta

The city provides sanitation service, which includes garbage collection, trash collection, animal control, health services and street sweeping. A roll cart container is provided to each residential customer at the following rates:

Inside city limits: $15.90 /mo Outside city limits: $23.85/ mo*Recycling services are provided at a charge of $3.60/mo.*A lawn waste collection container can be provided for an additional $5/mo.

3. ElectricAugusta

Georgia Power is the only provider in this area. Next day service is typical, there is a connection fee, and some folks may have to pay a deposit. You can start up your service by calling, 1-888-660-5890, or visiting their website:

https://customerservice.southerncompany.com/ElectricService/startdefault.aspx



North Augusta

South Carolina Energy & Gas (SCE&G) A SCANA company is the provider for the North Augusta area. To see what information is needed and the option to sign up online visit their website: http://www.sceg.com/en/residential-services/moving/Start+Service.htm

4. Gas, Phone and InternetWhitefence.com has a feature that allows you to search for services available to your address. You can use their website to sign up for a service, or contact the utility provider you would like to use.

For Our International StudentsAs some of you might be international students, we will be introducing a few aspects that are basic and essential from a legal standpoint, before you can enroll into the graduate programs at GHSU. The most important part of these requirements is to get in touch with the Office of Student Diversity International (http://www.georgiahealth.edu/students/campuslife/diversity/index.html). We would recommend you to do this as soon as you arrive in Augusta. First, you need to contact Mrs. Beverly Tarver at the Student Diversity Office, who will guide you through the processes that need to be completed upon your arrival in the USA. Her office is located on the 2nd Floor in the Student Center.

The next step is to obtain your Social Security Number (SSN). Mrs. Tarver, who is also the authority for this purpose, will let you know the details of the procedure and will provide you with the essential documents. Once you have acquired these documents, you have to visit the Social Security Administration (SSA) office at:

115 Robert C Daniel Junior Parkway Augusta, GA 30909

We would recommend you to complete the formalities regarding SSN as soon as possible, since you will not be paid until you have a valid social security card. It takes a couple of weeks* for the official procedures before SSA can issue your SSN and the social security card, provided there are no delays in the paperwork (*Note: Though, in most of the cases a SSN is issued within 5 to 10 business days, it might take anywhere between a week to a couple of months to receive your SSN. Therefore, it is strongly advised to apply for your SSN as soon as possible; however, no earlier then 10 days after your arrival in the USA).



Please remember, your SSN is your identity for all legal as well as financial purposes. Do not share your SSN with anyone who is not authorized to receive it. Do not carry your social security card with you, unless you are instructed to do so by proper authorities.

For any further information regarding SSN or any guidelines regarding international students, please contact the Student Diversity Office.

The next step is to acquire a driver’s license. Augusta being a smaller city does not have an elaborate public transportation system. Having a driver’s license will make your everyday life in Augusta much easier. If you do not have a US driver’s license already, you must first visit the local ‘Department of Driver Services, Georgia’ (DDS) office, which is the authority for issuing driver’s licenses (see above).

In order to get the learner’s permit, you have to take a computer-based knowledge test. We would recommend you to visit the DDS office, or ask your friends for the official DDS issued guide to study the driving rules and regulations. This guide is the most essential study material for obtaining the learner’s permit. Since the requirement of necessary documents keeps changing quite often, it is recommended that you check with the DDS officials for a current list of required documents to carry before you go there to take the knowledge test.

For further information regarding driver’s license, please visit http://www.dds.

ga.gov./.

Where Should I Live?You need to decide if you want to live on-campus or off-campus. The benefits of living on-campus are that you are close to campus (i.e. don’t need a car) and never have to wake up early! Also, these apartments come fully furnished—which is really helpful if you are traveling from overseas. However, a drawback is that you never get to escape campus. Weigh the pros and cons out for yourself and decide which option fits you best.

On-campus HousingAll the following information and more can be found at:http://www.georgiahealth.edu/students/campuslife/housing/



Residence 4 Located behind the Student Center, these apartments are available for single males or females and are fully furnished. There are also community kitchens and laundry facilities.

Single occupancy rent: $1989.00 per semesterDouble occupancy rent (with a roommate): $1185.75 per semesterActivity fee: $10.00

Residence 5Located on Warren Hites Drive, these apartments are for married students and families (occasionally single students), and are unfurnished. Each apartment has a private kitchen with a refrigerator and the building has a community laundry facility.

One-bedroom rent: $2945.25 per semesterTwo-bedroom rent: $3213.00 per semesterActivity fee: $10.00

Residence 6Located on Fifteenth Street across from the Old School of Dentistry Building, these apartments are for single students and families. Each apartment has a private kitchen and the building contains a community laundry facility.

One-bedroom rent: $2256.75 per semesterTwo-bedroom rent: $2486.25 per semesterActivity fee: $10.00

Alumni CenterLocated on Fifteenth Street across from VA, these apartments are for single students. There are community kitchens and laundry facilities.

Single occupancy rent: $1989.00 per semesterSingle occupancy rent (suite): $2601.00 per semesterActivity fee: $10.00

Off-campus HousingGood info for renting/buying/finding a roommate: MCG Classifieds, accessible only to GHSU students and faculty through the MyMCG portal. Log in using your username and password and click on the “Campus Resources” tab. Under “Student Links”, click on “Off-Campus Housing and Roommate Listings.” This will take you to MCG Classifieds where there are GHSU students/faculty listing



homes for sale or rent and people looking for roommates.Whether you decide to buy or rent, you’ll need to decide which area of Augusta you’d like to live in.

The Hill Area (Central Ave, Walton Way) Distance: 5-10 minutes from campus Atmosphere: Mostly houses Pros: Close enough to bike to campus, quiet, near downtown, good for

running/biking Cons: Far from grocery stores/other conveniences, older neighbors,

expensive Recommended Complexes: Hickman Arms Townhomes, Enterprise Mill

Hickman Arms Townhomes – very close to campus and inexpensive, has a community swimming pool.Enterprise Mill – convenient lofts that are very close to campus, this newly remodeled cotton mill fills up quickly.

Around Augusta National, Surrey Center, and Highland AveDistance: 10 minutes from campusAtmosphere: Mostly housesPros: Closer to conveniences, good for runningCons: Older houses that may require upkeep, older neighborsRecommended Complexes: Bransford Townhomes

Bransford Townhomes – Older buildings that have been newly renovated, quiet and calm. Call Deborah Tyler at 888-769-1860.

Washington Road (Bertram Rd, Alexander Dr, Stevens Creek Rd)Distance: 10-15 minutes from campusAtmosphere: Traditional apartment complexes, townhomesPros: Close to grocery stores, restaurants, and interstate, many studentsCons: Can be noisy, traffic on Washington, delay from trains near Riverwatch ParkwayRecommended Complexes: Stevens Creek Commons, Century Glen, Century Hills, May Townhomes

Stevens Creek Commons – Large apartment community off Riverwatch; they are slightly older but popular with students. Features include pool, tennis courts, fitness facility, car care area, and daily continental breakfast. Call 706-868-5020.Century Glen – Gated apartment complex off Alexander Dr. Newer and more expensive than Century Hills, pool, small work out facility, tennis courts, car care area, garage area on-site available. Call 706-738-6205.



Century Hills – Gated apartment complex off Alexander Rd. Tennis courts, pool, car care area, garage area on-site available. Call 706-733-0064.Mayo Townhomes – A small community of townhomes off Stevens Creek Rd. that is gated. Call 706-832-6000.

West Augusta (West Wheeler, Augusta West)Distance: 15-20 minutes from campusAtmosphere: Houses, townhomesPros: Quiet, safe, close to interstateCons: Far from campus, few students, older neighbors

Columbia County (Martinez and Evans)Distance: 12-40 minutes from campusAtmosphere: Houses, townhomesPros: Quiet, safe, good resale value, new stores, good schoolsCons: Far from campus, more expensive, few students

North AugustaDistance: 10-15 minutes from campusAtmosphere: Houses, townhomes, condosPros: Although in SC, residents still qualify for GA in-state tuition rates, close to downtown, parks, safe, good for familiesCons: Little nightlife, older neighbors

Student Life at GHSUBy Samuel Herberg

Program OverviewWhile every graduate student is aware of the fact that there are many different programs offered at GHSU beside the one oneself is enrolled in, it is practically impossible to know about the interesting details of other programs. And since there is only little, if any, overlap in the curricula and, as a result of this, hardly any opportunities to meet graduate students outside one’s own program, we decided to spotlight as many programs as possible. Remember: GSO’s key mission is to bring all GHSU graduate students closer together and to help improving communication.

Writing this section was only possible with the tremendous help of select students from a variety of different programs. THANKS again to all of you who were able to contribute to the GSO welcome handbook. I’m convinced everyone will enjoy learning about YOUR program as much as we did while we compiled this guide...



Graduate program: Biomedical Sciences Degree: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

A Day In The Life Of A Biomedical Sciences PhD Student – Experiences From The 1st Year.By Katie Spitler

During the Fall Semester you will be taking 5 courses: Biochemistry and Gene Regulation, Molecular Cell Biology, Scientific Communications, Scientific Ethics and Introduction to Faculty Research. Don’t worry if it sounds like a lot, your main “class” courses that will take up your mornings will be Biochemistry and Gene Regulation and Molecular Cell biology. You will have them as 2 hour lectures alternating mornings every day. Theses two courses are taught by a wide variety of instructors, typically speaking about their area of expertise. Key to remember here is “don’t be afraid to ask questions,” because the instructors are very open to questions and don’t want you to leave the class confused. As far as buying the book for these classes, many of the students found the books helpful, while some hardly opened them. The lecturers do provide hand-outs which their test questions come from, but if you’ve never had either of these courses or if English isn’t your first language definitely buy the books. In both of these classes you will be having a journal club portion. For this you will be given a scientific paper to read and you will discuss various parts of it in class. Scientific communications and scientific ethics are one hour courses given once a week. Scientific communications is a great class, because it introduces you to the wide array of written and oral presentations you will doing while you are a graduate student. Introduction to Faculty Research is a fun opportunity for you to be introduced to all the departments in the Biomedical Sciences Program, as well as, meet most of the faculty and learn about their research. This course is very important, because this is where you start to find faculty that you might be interested in doing a rotation with and if you find someone whose research peeks your interest be sure to e-mail them to set up an appointment to talk to them to learn more about their work. Half way through your first semester you will do a series of three 3-week rotations in the labs of your choosing, but they have to be with different P.I’s (primary investigator). Make sure to take advantage of this period and use it to “feel” out the lab, the P.I. and fellow lab members. (See “What makes a good advisor?” section for tips on choosing labs.)

In the spring the course work is a mix of courses with an emphasis on finding the lab you will be joining through two 7-week long rotations. Everyone will be taking the Integrative Systems Biology course. It is highly recommended that you buy the book for this course. Besides that course, you get to pick a second or third class (you need to take 4 additional credit hours) from: Neuroscience I (4 hrs), Experimental



Therapeutics (2 hr), Fundamentals of Genomic Medicine (2 hrs), Fundamentals of Oncology I (2hrs), Biology of Proteins in Disease (2hrs), or Introduction to Immunology and Infectious Disease (2hrs). Most people try to choose their additional courses based on which program they are thinking about going into, but you do not have to. Neuroscience I is a requirement for anyone wanting to enter the Neuroscience department. There is a textbook and it is highly recommended to buy and read. Fundamentals of Oncology, Experimental Therapeutics, Biology of Proteins in Disease, and Immunology and Infectious Disease courses do not have a textbook, so you will rely on a series of handouts. Genomic Medicine is required for those wanting to enter the Genomic Medicine program and does have a textbook, but the program has a few on reserve for you to borrow so you will not have to buy one. During this semester you begin your two 7-week rotations. If you haven’t already found a lab you this gives you two more chances to try. If you have found a lab you like you can do one or both of your 7-week rotations in this lab. If you’ve reached the end of your spring semester and you still haven’t found the lab right for you, you are able to do a summer rotation, as well. At the end of each 7-week rotation you will give a 10-minute talk about the research you conducted or methods you learned during your rotation.

Summer at the end of your first year, everyone will take a Biomedical Statistics course. There is a book and software that are needed for this course. Some students will also elect to take a Histology course during this time, if it is recommended by their P.I.

*Note- Senior students might still have their books from these courses and might be willing to sell or let you borrow them. If interested please contact the Graduate Student Organization at [email protected].

Tests:-For Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology the tests are all essay question format. Each lecturer will have at least one question. The types of questions they ask vary from detailing a signaling pathway, explaining how to perform an experiment, to analyzing a problem. Each course will have 4 parts with a test at the end of each part, but Biochemistry will also have a comprehensive final at the end of the semester covering all 4 parts.

-For Integrative Systems Biology there is a mixture of multiple choice questions and essay. For the exams 30 points come from multiple choice questions you answer on the test and 70 points come from the essay section.

-The additional courses vary on the formatting of the tests: Genomic Medicine has 2 tests, a research proposal and a presentation.



Neuroscience I has weekly online quizzes, an in-class midterm and a take home final.Molecular Oncology has three tests and three journal club presentations.Experimental Therapeutics has an in-class presentation and take-home final.Biology of Proteins in Disease will have a mid-term and final test.Immunology and infectious disease will have a mid-term and final test.

What Makes A Good Advisor? By Krystal Brinson and Preethi Ganapathy

A disclaimer: A total of 15 students from 9 programs agreed to participate in our survey and the quoted statements from individuals were selected for representative purposes.

A good advisor should demonstrate personal integrity as well as model a successful academic career and training in your area of research. Merriam Webster Dictionary says that the word Advisor stems from the verb “advise” and its definition highlights that the word means the following:

A) “Counsel”- An advisor should be able to provide you with excellent training in your area. These basic scientific skill sets will be crucial for the rest of your scientific career, so learn as much as you can while you are still within this beginner stage. Ask as many questions as you can...better to ask simple questions now as a novice than feel embarrassed to do so as an established professor. Sadly, not every day in science will be a great one; thus your advisor should provide you with emotional support and encouragement as well as help you to learn from your mistakes.

B) “Caution, Warn” - Many potential pitfalls such as applying the wrong technique or picking the wrong committee members, can be avoided by listening to your advisor’s opinion and drawing from his/her expertise.



C) “Recommend”- An advisor should help you to identify your strengths and weaknesses and assist you in improving your shortcomings, i.e. if the English language is not your strong suit, a good advisor might suggest that you enroll in an ‘English as a second language’ course and may even pay for the class. Also good advisors will send you to other institutions to help you learn a specific technique if needed.

D) “Inform”- Not only does an advisor’s job entail teaching you how to conduct science in their area of research, but they should also suggest opportunities for collaboration, joint presentations, and departmental talks that will be beneficial to propelling your research forward. In addition, they should help you learn to write scientific manuscripts and subsequently help you submit them for publication. After all, a scientist is only as good as their track record of published articles. The old adage, “Publish or perish,” is as important today as ever! A good advisor will also teach you how to make successful verbal scientific presentations. This is important because a scientist must convey his/her research to the scientific community with enthusiasm. If you’re not excited about your research, no one else will be either!

E) “Consult”- Good advisors will often consult you when making decisions dealing with the lab or your project. In addition, he/she may allow you to do experiments of your own creation even if they are not exactly in their area of interest. This helps you in learning how to be an independent thinker and gain insight into how to think like a scientist and manage a laboratory. A good advisor will provide or suggest opportunities for you to develop independence, which will be key to your survival within the scientific community upon graduation. Good advisors will introduce you to colleagues to help you formulate future networking ties that will be beneficial for future collaborations, potential post-doctoral positions, consulting, etc. Overall, they should be committed to help their students make the next move in their career development.

Now what?Since we have mentioned a few of the ABC’s of a good advisor, you might feel you are now ready to select a lab. However, there are still a few more things to consider when selecting the right lab for you. We have broken these topics into a few categories. These categories are by no means the only things that should be used in determining where you spend the next few years performing research but are other important considerations that you should use to find a lab that best fits you. We’ve also polled 15 senior graduate students and asked them how they picked their labs and what the outcome of that decision was—and we’ve included the results to give you a taste of what other graduate students think.



FundingAlthough research is one of the most exciting fields, without money to perform such needed work, even Nobel Prize-worthy ideas will never come to fruition. To have a career in research, funding will be your most important concern on every level starting as a student and continuing into your established scientific career. Thus, selecting a mentor who has enough funds to pay for your stipend and your research supplies throughout your entire time here at GHSU as a student is crucial. After all, you don’t want to pick a mentor and in your 3rd year of study, be told that he or she can no longer support your stipend due to lack of funding.

Moataz Elkasrawy (Cellular Biology and Anatomy) said:

You may become tempted to postpone asking your potential advisors whether they have funding for you or not. But, no matter how uncomfortable this question may make you feel, this is a first meeting question. In your own words, make your question as clear as this: Do you have funding for me throughout my degree? And by funding you don’t just

mean stipend; it also includes adequate funding for your project supplies, publications, conference expenses, etc.

Davies Agyekum (Molecular Medicine) expressed the same sentiments, but added:

Though acquiring funding is a basic necessity for any scientist these days, as a trainee this should not be your primary goal. The lab I have chosen isn’t the wealthiest but the security that my work will be funded is present and therefore soothing.

And Aisha Cobbs (Physiology), who was fortunate enough to acquire individual external funding, emphasized:

I think it is important to find an advisor who has funding, but I also feel that it’s just as important for students to find a lab where the mentor encourages them to develop grant writing skills and secure their own funding. It’s good practice for when they begin their careers as independent scientists.



PersonalityBe cognizant of the personalities of your potential advisor as well as the lab members. Joining a lab is somewhat like becoming part of a family with its multiple personalities functioning under one roof. During your matriculation you and your advisor will be making very important decisions regarding your project and graduation, so it is best to find an advisor that you can get along with. It can be a long, turbulent road to tread in grad school if you and your advisor’s personalities clash. Most importantly, identify an advisor that you trust. You want an advisor that you feel comfortable confiding in during the years of your training. Some advisors are excellent in the laboratory, helping with the design of experiments and providing financially for the research; however, they might be too busy with their commitments to have time to foster their mentee’s career or they may simply not be good communicators themselves.

Dr. Jane F. Reckelhoff of the University of Mississippi has the following advice on the subject (communicated via email):

In this case a student needs to find other investigators at their institution or at others who can fulfill these roles that are very important for the development of their careers. The way to do this is to find another faculty member with whom you relate well. You can use this person for advice and mentoring in areas that are not your advisor’s forte. You will need mentors at all stages of your career even if you eventually become dean of a graduate school. Developing relationships with mentors is an important part of learning science and should be begun at the earliest stages of your career. Relationships with mentors are also ongoing throughout your career. So you never lose contact with them even though you may grow beyond their expertise and your need for them. If you feel the need for anonymity or advice that is sensitive to your current position or institution, contact “mentornet.net.” This is a no cost mentoring system that is done online and you can contact mentors in your area of research who will understand your issues. Many of the American Physiological Society members are mentors and mentees.

In addition to the personality of your advisor, you want to take a look at the personality of your lab. A lab in which each member is extremely independent and dislikes working collaboratively is a difficult learning environment. Also, it can be uncomfortable if your potential lab functions using a language that you are unfamiliar with i.e. a lab may be composed of mostly Chinese students and so everything in the lab is written in their native language. An advisor who does not force his laboratory people to speak and work in English is not thinking of their futures to perform research, write papers and get funding in the US and should



not be on your list of potential advisors. Asking yourself do you feel comfortable in that lab and with your mentor are two of the main things to consider during your first-year graduate rotations.

Haixia Qin (Molecular Medicine) stated:

I appreciate the help and understanding from my mentor. Without the help from my mentor, I can not handle having a new baby in the second year, doing research, and preparing for my career--all at the same time. One good way to find out the personality is to talk with the people who have ever worked for him/her. Believe it or not, some mentors seem to be nice and smile all the time, but it is not the case at all when you become a part of the lab.

For foreigners, a good language and culture environment is always helpful.And Renee Bozard (Cellular Biology and Anatomy) stressed the importance of finding a mentor that complements your personality:

This was of utmost importance to me as I did not want to be part of a lab where I felt intimidated and unable to ask for help over even simple matters. I wanted to feel welcome to make the necessary mistakes to advance as a student but to be protected from huge pitfalls. Also, as a person who likes to have independence but doesn’t want complete independence, I wanted to find an advisor who patiently guided and was available (for instance, not the chair of a department who is always out of town).

Lab sizeTake into consideration the size of the laboratory. Some well-funded, highly productive laboratories have many postdoctoral fellows and graduate students. The more people in the laboratory, the less time you will have with your advisor for one-on-one discussions. In very large laboratories, senior postdoctoral fellows and graduate students teach the newer fellows and students. While this approach will allow you to do a considerable amount of teaching in the future to newer people as they come in, the disadvantage is that you will be fighting for your advisor’s time.

Rui Wang (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology) thought there were positives and negatives to any lab size—and suggested that you choose a lab size based on what your goals are:



It is important at some level; a large lab may allow you to be involved in multiple projects by collaborating with other people in the lab. However, when the lab becomes massive, the P.I. will pay much less attention to students. In that case, it is highly dependent on you to get work done. If you want to work independently and discover/learn things by yourself, a big lab may not be bad. The Ph.D. program is about getting trained to be a scientist, and lots of things are much easier to learn when someone can help you out

ahead of time. So if a student joins a big lab, be prepared to work on your own and don’t expect people to teach you step by step.Limor Raz (Neuroscience) offered additional advice:

One of the keys to my success was our knowledgeable post-doc, who taught me all of the techniques and continuously provided technical help and support. Therefore, make sure that the lab has at least one post-doc or a senior research scientist. It will make your life so much easier!

Training Track RecordMany students believe that you should choose an advisor who has trained many students. However, as in the example above, getting into a laboratory with a young assistant professor, provided he/she has extramural funding, could be very rewarding because they will have time to spend with you, often teaching the research techniques to you themselves, they may be more excited and they may be more approachable with fewer time commitments other than the laboratory. On the other hand, an advisor with a lot of student training experiences can make the road through graduate school a smoother ride.

Rebecca Nalloor (Neuroscience) found that the mentor’s training experience didn’t matter as much as the mentor’s personality:

Although I was told that I was being foolish, I could not bring myself to care about the training track record. My mentor had just started her first independent position here at GHSU a year before I joined the program. She was young, enthusiastic, smart and a very good teacher. I was confident that she would be able to train me well and I am proud to say that I was right!



One student, on the other hand, found that the training track record didn’t factor very much into her decision making process and was happy with her choice:

Honestly, there was a lot of negative feedback about the training track record of my advisor and I chose to take into consideration what was being told to me; however, I decided not to limit my decision based on these things. I am a firm believer in the fact that simply because one particular individual did not excel in the given environment, it didn’t mean that I could not either. I am glad that I did not highly consider this aspect when choosing a lab because I have experienced for

myself that a lot of things people heard as hear-say are the furthest thing from the truth. Had I shut out this opportunity based on other people’s opinions, I would have been the one missing out!

Published Journal Article Track RecordFinding that a potential mentor has consistently published journal articles over the past couple of years gives you a good indication of not only their areas of research interest, but also their productivity level and their potential for funding in the future. You should do a quick PubMed search on your potential advisor to see how frequently they publish and the quality of the journals in which they publish.

While most students found that the number of journal articles that the mentor had published was important, Tiffany Nguyen (Pharmacology) had the following valuable advice:

You should know the publication track record of the potential advisor, but you should be aware of the track record of the students in the lab as well (how many papers can a student in the lab publish from his or her dissertation work).



Area of ResearchLast, but definitely not least, you will want to determine whether the advisor’s area of research is something that interests you. For example, you may find that the experimental techniques conducted in a diabetic nephropathy research lab are appealing to you, but if you absolutely abhor kidney physiology, you may rethink your motives to join the lab. In addition, some of you will come to GHSU with a clear idea of the topic of research that you’re interested in—and this will help you in choosing a lab and research topic quickly, but more importantly it will help motivate you. You’ll find that when the project is not proceeding exactly as planned, that your passion for the clinical background of your research will encourage you and get you through these rough patches.

Davies Agyekum found that the area of research was very important:

Doing biomedical research is a challenging endeavor. Advice taken from many experienced researchers led me to rank this high on my priority list when searching for a lab. Their advice was simply that ‘I should be excited about the research because passion for what you’re doing is sometimes the only thing that drives you onwards.’ With that in mind I knew I

absolutely had to pick a lab doing research that aroused my interest. Even in my early days of becoming a scientist, I’ve experienced countless disappointing days compared to several really good ones—but through it all, it has been the prospects and excitement of what I’m studying that has kept me going.

However, Limor Raz felt that the area of research as a graduate student did not matter nearly as much as it did as a post-doc:

If you are a curious individual, you are most likely interested in many biological processes. Since you will become the “driving force” behind your research project, it is almost guaranteed that you will become enthusiastic about your work. Personal experience has taught me that frequent discussions with your mentor about the literature in your area of research will greatly contribute to your general excitement about your project. It is often-times said that your post-doctoral work is much more relevant



to your future career regarding the area of study and that the goal of a graduate education is to train you to think critically and independently about difficult problems. Therefore, I believe that the subject of research should not be the most influential factor of your decision.

On the other hand, what are your responsibilities to your advisor?As a student, you must work hard and study hard. This may sound cliché but why should an advisor help you when there is no reciprocation? So as a student you must perform to the best of your ability, accomplish what is asked of you in the time allowed for you, honor your advisor’s time commitments (make appointments and be prompt for them), be cognizant of the cost of supplies and equipment and take care to use them correctly and cost effectively, be loyal, and be a good lab citizen.



Graduate program: M.D./Ph.D. Degree: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

M.D./Ph.D.: The Best of Both Worlds.By Preethi Ganapathy

You guys have already had access to the Secrets of Success handbook that’s distributed to the first year med students…and you already know what it’s like to go through two years of medical school and answer more multiple choice questions than you’d ever bargained for. But, lucky for you, the days of multiple choice tests are over! Well, at least for as long as you’re in the PhD world, that is.

Most of what’s written in this handbook for the Biomedical Sciences programs applies to your PhD years (assuming you’ve decided to spend them at GHSU); however, you aren’t required to take the first full year of classes (your medical school courses count instead) and you don’t have to worry about tests and such. You are required to take the Responsible Conduct of Research and Scientific Communications courses your first fall semester in the program and the Biostatistics course the first summer semester, but the majority of your time will be spent in the lab. Therefore, the most important decision that you will have to make involves choosing a mentor; it’ll serve you well to put a lot of thought into it. The “What Makes A Good Advisor?” section under the Biomedical Sciences program will help, as will talking to other graduate/MD-PhD students and getting an idea of what works best for you.

The majority of what you need to know and how your academic life will be structured has already been covered in either the Secrets of Success handbook or in the Biomedical Sciences section of this handbook. The goal of this section is simply to try to make the transitions between these two doctoral programs that you’ve committed to just a tad bit easier. First of all, be aware that you’ve signed up for numerous years of schooling. One of the toughest things to go through is to watch all of your medical school classmates graduate and proceed to residency programs as you realize that you still have 3-4 years left. So make sure that you love what you do! And if your research project correlates with your clinical dreams, all the better. It will help you stay motivated through any “ruts” that you may find yourself in. Also, take the time to really get to know your grad school colleagues. It’s so easy to just stay friends with the medical students you know and not really make the effort to introduce yourself to new people—but the grad school folks are cool, and you don’t want to miss out on meeting exciting new people! (Plus, they’re usually just a tad more laid back than med school peeps, which helps calms the nerves a bit ;).



Another aspect of dividing your time between two programs is that it’s easy to lose touch with the clinical world. If possible, try to make it to Homeless Clinic or some other clinic every once in a while to keep your clinical skills from getting too dull. The learning curve is so steep when you start rotations that it won’t really help you academically, but it may help keep you from feeling completely lost when you actually do join 3rd year. It may seem silly now, but just remember: mice (or bacteria or rats) are very different from human beings, and it’s an entirely different skill set that you develop to deal with either species. If you can brush up on taking histories and physicals while you’re involved in graduate school, good for you. On the other hand, if you are a horrible multi-tasker, don’t devote too much energy to the clinic while you are in the lab; you’ll be fine either way, as long as you focus now and finish the PhD in the time that you’ve allotted for yourself.

That being said, enjoy these years of freedom where you don’t constantly have another test looming around the corner! Graduate school is a LOT different than medical school, but it’s tons of fun and you should take advantage of the different qualities that each program has to offer. Good luck!

Graduate program: Medical IllustrationDegree: Master’s of Science in Medical Illustration (M.S.M.I) (yes, that’s the actual title of our degree)

Medical Illustration: Inside Information to Surviving and ThrivingBy Julie Devi Coats

Every program at our school is unique, but medical illustration is truly a highly specialized niche. By the end of your graduate career, you will be a scientist, artist, and a storyteller. You will have opportunities not only medical students do not get to do, but also that other medical illustration graduate programs do not get to do. The drawback is that you are in graduate school now… be prepared for some exhaustion, sleepless nights, and even camping out in the studio. In order to make the best of your experiences here at the Georgia program, please take the following advice and descriptions into consideration.

An Overview of the Course CurriculumThe course curriculum often changes, depending on software availabilities, professor skills and strengths, and student reviews. Despite this, the program is conceptually broken up between the first and second years. The first year establishes a foundation of medical knowledge and rendering approaches that are successful in the field. The second year is when you begin to present yourself as a medical illustrator, capable of visual problem solving, client relations, production management, and establishing your professional identity.



First yearStudy early and study often in your science courses. The semester workload will quickly increase and deadlines will overlap. For that reason it is important to stay on top of your studies. The science courses for the first and second semesters are Gross Human Anatomy, and Neuroanatomy. The dynamic of this course has changed a few times over the years, but generally speaking you will have lecture and lab with the first-year medical students, and then have content reviews and cadaver sketches with your own professor. Lecture sometimes delves into clinical aspects that do not pertain to you, but the lecture reviews with your own professor will restate what you need to know. Lab with cadaveric dissections is an amazing and humbling experience. Please never forget these used to be people, so please do your best to respect the bodies while in lab. You will sketch from you dissections for cadaver sketch critiques. While time does not always permit this, I find it best to always do a few sketches after every dissection. This will increase your bank of cadaveric sketches, and minimize how often you smell like death. Febreeze actually does a decent job of getting rid of the smell before you head to other classes. Because you sketch from your cadavers, you tend to have the nicest looking dissections. Expect medical students to study from your cadaver while your not around… meaning things will not be how you left it. Do your best to preserve the cadavers, study from them outside of lab, and to learn with the med students.

You get to participate in surgery! This is something no other medical illustration program offers, giving you an edge above the rest. Once you start your second semester, you will have two surgery courses. The first is a veterinary surgery course where you learn proper surgery techniques, suturing patterns, a variety of surgical instruments, and above all, work as a surgeon in a porcine surgery. This was probably my favorite experience in the program. You develop a huge appreciation for tissue dynamics and for surgeons who must stand for hours performing a critical task. Once you’ve completed veterinary surgery, you get to observe human surgeries in the hospital… another amazing set of experiences. You do not scrub in or participate, but instead draw the pertinent steps of the surgery. Asking your surgeon if they’d be willing to review their particular techniques and choice of instruments afterwards would be a great help to you.

Invest in a great tutorial website. Even though the studio courses are intended to introduce you to certain techniques and concepts that are successful in our field, they don’t teach you everything. The real objective of our program is to teach you visual storytelling. Splitting an account from Lynda.com amongst your classmates will prove to be a great investment for learning all you need to know about a variety of software. Beyond that, projects will include multiple in-progress critiques of your work. Do your best to get a lot of feedback, either in critique or afterwards. Never assume your work is “good enough,” because chances are there is a lot you can improve upon.



Second yearYour final year is where you will shine brightest as a medical illustrator. Science and studio courses continue through your third and fourth semesters, and you can continue to hone your skills. Science courses include Histology and Pathology. You will also finally be introduced to animation in these semesters; 2D animation is in the summer, and 3D animation is in the fall. This is where a tutorial account would really be advantageous. You will also have a continuation of studio projects like surgical pieces and instructional posters alongside of your animations and science coursework. Learning a lot of new software at once can be very challenging. Don’t let the anxiety get the best of you. In addition to the aforementioned expectations, there are three hallmark events that take place in your final year:

Association of Medical Illustrators (AMI) Conference. The AMI is the primary organization that you should associate yourself with. Medical illustration is a fairly small community when compared with other industries. The AMI meeting is a great opportunity for you to network with others in the field, to attend workshops on a technique or software you want to learn, and to showcase your best work with the potential of attaining an award. Networking is probably one of the best things you can do for yourself and for the advancement of your career. Most of the networking takes place in the evening hours after the conference.

Comprehensive Exams. “Comps,” for short, are your qualifying exam which takes place at the end of your fourth semester. This entails three illustration pieces that must be researched and executed without the counsel of any medical illustration faculty, certain anatomists on campus, or other medical illustrators that work locally. This is a test of your capabilities when working independently and to fulfill rigid deadlines. You are given approximately one week per assignment, with no other studio coursework to worry about. Although there are opportunities to correct your work, you must pass your comprehensive exams in order to graduate. This is probably where most students produce some of their best and most satisfying work from their graduate career.

Master’s Project. Your final semester is devoted to your master’s project (and a business course geared toward your professional advancement into the field). Having an entire semester does not mean you have a lot of free time, but that you get to create an extremely well-rounded project that has been conceptually developed, thoroughly investigated, and meticulously finessed. Solidify your master’s project as early as possible to prevent conceptual obstacles later on. You have the freedom to choose your own project, or to work with one of the doctors or researchers on campus that already have projects they would like to achieve. Successful projects have been born from both. I recommend choosing a subject area or software that you wish to become more familiar with. This will be your best opportunity to teach yourself and advance your craft.



Developing a Successful Work EthicEven though this sounds very elementary, having a great work ethic can be what makes or breaks you in graduate school. During your time here, you’ll find it is a balancing act to produce a certain quality of work with the amount of time you are given. Once you graduate, how much you get paid becomes part of that equation. At the end of the day, make sure you get your work done on time. Even if it is not your best work, it is worse to develop a reputation as someone who does not make deadlines. To prevent this from ever becoming an issue, you should front-load your projects. Never do the bare minimum to get passable results for an in-progress critique. Do your best to be efficient with your time. Using something like Toggle will help you keep record of how much you can accomplish within a certain period of time, and will also keep you on task. Try to reward a hard day’s work after you’ve accomplished a goal. The people who take too many breaks during their workday tend to struggle more with deadlines and their final product.

When and where you choose to do your work differs between each student, but taking advantage of the studio and faculty resources will likely provide you greater opportunities and feedback. The school offers all the software you’ll need to complete your projects, and the majority of people, especially faculty, are only there during business hours. While some people work very successfully at home or in the evening hours, one of the greatest resources comes from our faculty or their colleagues in the form of feedback, advice, and freelance opportunities. Some of your best work can stem from the feedback of your classmate who noticed your work while passing by your cubicle. Everyone is looking to help each other in this field, so being around while others are their assists this process.

Last, but not least, have a life. Your time here will pass more quickly than you’d probably like, so take advantage of the simple pleasures. Go to the school functions, get to know people from other programs on campus, and enjoy the charming aspects of Augusta when you get the opportunity. You’ll be in the field before you know it, so make the most of your time here.

Graduate program: Biostatistics Degree: Master’s of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Rules For Surviving A Master’s Degree In Biostatistics (Lee Cromwell).By Lee Cromwell and Courtney Wimmer McCracken

Okay, so I know I am supposed to write a few paragraphs for an article, but I am a math person and I like numbers, not writing. So instead, here is a list of advice/words of wisdom for those of you starting the biostatistics master’s program.



1. First and foremost, get out and be social. It is no surprise that the biostatistics program is a small (if not the smallest) program at GHSU. And because of this, it can be hard to meet people and make friends if you are not from Augusta. Go to the SGS orientation, attend GSO meetings, and get involved in intramurals. Once you get a core group of friends, life will go much smoother these next two years. I moved here not knowing a soul, found some people at orientation, we formed a cooking club, and this group turned out to be my best friends throughout my years at GHSU.

2. Statistical Theory I and II are difficult. Extremely difficult. But work really hard these first two semesters and it will definitely pay off in the long run. Don’t let it pile up until the week before the final exam and then try to cram it all in—it just won’t work.

3. But when you DO take your last theory final in May, go out and celebrate! You aren’t completely done with theory yet, but it is definitely worth celebrating over few drinks! I personally recommend not even LOOKING at theory again until Fall semester starts, to give yourself a nice (well deserved) break. Summer semester is a fairly relaxed one so enjoy it—as things pick back up Fall and Spring of your second year.

4. This brings me to your thesis/capstone project. SECURE YOUR ADVISOR EARLY. By now you will have a general idea of which professors you like and get along with and which ones you might not so much. Talk to the professors you like and ask them if they have any research/projects that you could use for your capstone. If one interests you, tell them and unofficially “claim” that person as your advisor. Next you’ll want to stake your claim on your committee—this is not so urgent, as professors can serve on multiple committees, but it’s still worth looking into, especially if you already know who you want on your committee. I personally found my project and advisor in May, but that is pretty early. If you can do this, great, but don’t worry if you don’t have one until August or so. However, after August, you are beginning to cut it close and may be rushed in your project!

5. Study for the comps!!! Months in advance, probably starting in September or October, depending on how well you did in theory class. You do NOT want to work your butt off all first year to pass theory class only to fail the comps and have to delay graduation. Just focus on studying the theory part. Do not worry about studying for the applied section—maybe just organize your notes so that you know where to quickly find answers to questions that you may be confused on what to do with.



6. Just because you are only taking one class your last semester (Spring of your second year) does not mean it will be easy. Finishing up your capstone project and preparing for your defense is like a class in itself. And this semester flies by so quickly, so just make sure you get everything done that you need to graduate.

7. Don’t be afraid to ask for help! Get to know the faculty and staff. The biostatistics department is really a nice and friendly atmosphere full of people willing to help you, whether it is an academic question or just a random personal question. I spent a good portion of my time hanging out with the administrative staff and became really close with them. We became good friends (even had tea time in the mornings together) and it was just really nice having a break from the academic/statistical environment.

8. Ask second- and third-year students for help/advice. You can look at their old exams (when applicable), use their older versions of textbooks that may be more helpful, get advice on how to survive specific classes, etc. I received a lot of help from the class above me, and I know they did too.

9. Don’t buy your textbooks at the bookstore! So this may be common knowledge to college students by now, but it is way over priced and you can get them much cheaper used online. The biostatistics library has copies you can use until yours comes in.

10. Some (most) seminars are, well, boring and way above your head. Do not get all worked up trying to keep up with the speaker if the material is too complex and difficult. Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions if you have any—I know it’s intimidating but it makes you seem interested and gets you bonus points with the professors. But for the most part, just get what you can out of it and enjoy the food that comes with the presentation. Side note: try to get there a little early so you can secure a seat in the back. The seats in the back fill up quickly and you don’t want to be left in the front row!

Okay, well, my wisdom is up for now--if I think of anything else maybe it will get printed in a second edition. Good luck and I wish you the best! And if you have any questions, feel free to email me (although I am ashamed to admit that I check Facebook more frequently so you might want to try that first!)

Some Additions For The Doctor Of Philosophy Degree In Biostatistics (Courtney Wimmer McCracken).

While the M.S. program is pretty much the same as the Ph.D. program, there are some specific things you may want to keep in mind:



-Learn to budget your time between classwork and research hours. Although classes will consume your life (at least the 3rd year of the program), it is important to keep your mind thinking about your dissertation. You may only read 1 article some weeks but it is important to always try to do something related to your research. Timelines are an effective way to make sure you are meeting your goals. Get your mentor to establish time points and landmarks with you so that you have something to work towards but also someone there to encourage you along the way. -Set short term goals that you know you can accomplish. I think that writing a dissertation is the greatest challenge of my life (so far). As mathematicians/statisticians we think in numbers and not words so it can seem very difficult to come up with 200 pages worth of words. Setting short term goals allows you to feel that you’ve accomplished something even though you may be miles from the big picture finish line. This helps keep the light at the end of the tunnel visible and gives one a sense of progress because you are able to mark something off a list. -When classes get tough, rely on your classmates for help. At the end of the day there are always going to be concepts you just don’t get and concepts you feel really knowledgeable about. This allows you to be a learner and a teacher. Don’t be afraid to ask a fellow classmate to explain something to you because chances are at some point you will return the favor.

Graduate program: NursingDegree: Master’s of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Clinical Nurse LeaderBy Leann VanLandingham and Natalie Horseman

As a nurse in a teaching hospital for six years I have been involved and enjoy teaching students within my unit. I knew I wanted to continue to teach and the opportunity was presented to me to apply for a new program, Master’s in Nursing with an emphasis on Clinical Nurse Leader. As a working mom it was a huge change to go back to school and still keep up with daily life. Anytime one goes back to school it is definitely a challenge especially when the entire program is online. It takes time management, devotion, and perseverance to keep up with readings and assignments. One is responsible for their success and maintaining an appropriate timeline to keep up with the course work. There are glitches to any program that is starting for the first time but for the most part classes have gone well. The teachers are more than willing to help and accommodate work schedules. They understand that each of us is still working while earning this degree. The teachers have several ways for students to contact them for any problems or concerns. I have



truly enjoyed the opportunity to meet with other students via Wimba. We have students across the state and the ease of meeting on-line in the comfort of your own home is amazing. I did have hesitancy in the beginning, especially for projects, but it has worked out well. It is great that teachers can archive presentations or discussions so they can be viewed later at the student’s convenience if they are not able to make the meeting online. It is also a good resource to be able to review prior to tests. I highly recommend this program to professionals who do not want an advanced practice degree but still want to have the capability to teach or pursue any leadership opportunity in nursing.

Education is a fundamental element of nursing practice. With an expanded knowledge base, nurses are better prepared to deliver the highest quality of care possible to each and every patient and are able to engage in quality improvement initiatives for their departments. Along with continued education come the awareness, understanding and skills needed by nurses to flourish in our current health care system. A clinical nurse leader is an educated professional who possesses these tools needed to function in an evolving healthcare environment. It is for these reasons that I chose to pursue my Master’s degree in nursing. As a nurse who works full time, I needed a graduate program that would allow me to continue working as I pursued my degree. I was thrilled when I learned about the online Clinical Nurse Leader graduate program here at GHSU. With this program I am able to take two to three classes a semester while still working full time and I can complete this program in just two years. While taking online classes has allowed me to not have to attend classes in a classroom every week, there is a lot of course work that has to be completed on a weekly basis. For every class we have several weekly discussion board postings, research papers, and group projects. Time management is key to successfully completing this program. It can be easy to fall behind in your assignments if you are not paying close attention to your course deadlines. I will say that the course faculty have been very accessible and are always willing to help when needed. This is a new program that is growing and improving with each semester. I would recommend this program to anyone who would like to enhance their professional practice and expand their knowledge base.

A Student Guide To The GHSU PhD Nursing Program By Caroline McKinnon

Congratulations!! By starting your PhD program in nursing, you are on your way to membership in one of the most exclusive groups that the nursing profession has to offer. You should be proud of joining this group, but in order to get you off to the best start, it will be helpful to know some of the “lessons learned” from those who have gone ahead of you.One of the very first things you will learn in this program is to identify the source of your data. You should also be aware that everyone is different and that programs



also change from one year to the next. As we have learned, you should listen to what others have to say but always be prepared to make up your own minds. We are very glad to welcome you to the GHSU PhD Nursing program and we hope our insights will be helpful.

Helpful Hints about Your First CoursesIn simple terms, the curriculum is organized in to three types of classes: required classes (either by SON or SGS); elective classes: and; dissertation-related classes. Your required courses will be taught by faculty from 3 units: Nursing, Graduate Studies, and Statistics (unit is noted on the list below with N, G, or S). You will also have 2 major exams in the program: Exam I and Exam II (very original). Since the exact sequence of your plan of study will vary, we cannot say when you will take any particular class, but you will certainly have a specific list of classes to take to qualify for Exam I.

Lesson #1: Learn what courses are required to sit for Exam I and when you expect them to be offered. (As a general rule, the nursing courses offer the most flexibility in terms of scheduling and whether they are available online). Here is a list of the most likely classes and some helpful suggestions for each:

1) (N)Philosophy of Nursing Science: The point of this class is to give you a sense of the “big picture”. Unless you took a philosophy class in college, this course will be filled with lots of new language and new ideas. One of the best ways to use this class is to keep notes on the major schools of thought and try to apply them to one specific nursing research problem

2) (N)Theory Development: This course has a lot of overlap with the philosophy course, so in some ways it is a good idea to take them together. On the other hand, it can also cause a lot of “brain pain” as you learn new ways of thinking. This is normal and will go away with time (we promise). Best advice here is to learn the process of how to analyze a concept. This may sound like a simple skill but you will want to keep your notes on the steps in this process (you will need this information later for your exams and even later than that for your own proposal).

3) (N)Seminar in Academic Development: Depending on who teaches this course, it may vary quite a bit but the general idea here is to start to get you used to the idea of teaching nursing. Sometimes, this course includes content on how to conduct a systematic review. If so, this is another skill that you will want to keep in your toolbox as you will use it frequently. (If you don’t get this content here, look in the DNP program for a similar course on evidence-based medicine.)



4) (N)Quantitative Research Methods/Qualitative Research Methods: Each of these courses is 1 semester each and you will likely take just one of them at a time. Quant Methods is more intense in terms of statistics, but both classes are important for helping you figure out which method you want to use. You will likely have to submit a proposal in each class so this is a good way to try this out and get some feedback. You will also want to keep notes from these classes (and your proposals) to study for Exam I.

5) (S)Biostatistics I and II: Each of these classes is also 1 semester each and they are taught by the biostatistics department. What that means for you is that there is a lot less flexibility in when they are offered. It is also common for the class to meet for 1 ½ hours twice a week instead of a 3-hour block (trust us this is a good thing). Depending on the difference in the number of students in the course, the 2 semesters may be quite different (lots of other majors are only required to take the 1st semester). It is important in these classes to keep up with the homework. Doing that makes the tests so much easier.

6) (G)Intro to Faculty Research: This is a 2 credit course taught by biomedical sciences graduate faculty. Usually it is taught for the 1st half of the semester by meeting twice a week in 2-hour blocks. The main purpose of this course is for all GHSU research faculty to introduce doctoral students to their research activities. Most of the biomedical students in this course use it to identify which lab they want to work in, while most of the nursing students use it to see if there are any potential collaborators from other disciplines. The best part of this course is that whichever department is introducing their faculty typically provides lunch. Some faculty also give tours of their lab so be prepared to go on field trips. The major downside of this course is that it is predominately focused on biomedical research and not as much on nursing. Written work for this class is usually limited to summaries of at least 3 presentations. (You may need to find sources outside the class to help you write these summaries, but otherwise this is a relatively simple writing assignment.)

7) (G)Intro to Research: This is the other half of the Intro to Faculty Research course but it is different because it is based in the labs, not the classroom. The idea here is that you meet the researchers in the 1st half of the semester and identify at least 3 labs where you would like to visit as an observer. This gets a little complicated because we don’t have as much nursing research, but hopefully, you can find someone whom you want to shadow. You should ask for help from your advisor or from the PhD program directors if you have any trouble arranging lab time. It is important in this course to keep track of



your hours and of your activities as you will need to submit this info as part of your grade.

8) (G)Responsible Conduct of Research: This 1-credit course is required for anyone doing research so this course is filled with students from all of the schools. The class only meets 1 hours/week and you will have a limited number of absences. Pay attention in this class to anything you can glean about procedures for research protocol approval.

9) (G)Scientific Grant Writing: This is also a 1-credit course. Fun feature here is that at the end of the course, you will get to participate in a mock grant review session, both as a reviewer and as an applicant. This course has lots of practical info for writing and submitting proposal.

Lesson #2: WORK SMARTER NOT HARDER. The sooner you have focus on a particular area of research interest, the sooner you can use all of your required classes as opportunities to develop and refine your topic, gather the pertinent literature, and get feedback on your ideas. This is tricky because you need to use your advisor to help guide you as well and it is normal to change your ideas as you get more information. Still, it will be helpful in the long run if you can make these courses work for you.

Lesson #3: Keep all of your books, notes, and handouts from your required courses, especially the nursing courses. This will give you the material to prepare for the 1st exam.

Helpful Hints about AdvisorsChoosing an advisor is a lot like the story of Goldilocks and the 3 bears. You do not want to choose one that does match your research interests (too hard). You also do not want to choose one that will not help you graduate in a timely manner (too soft). What you are looking for is someone who is “just right.”

The good news is that we have a small program so students and faculty tend to know each other fairly well, so you can almost always find someone to help you in this choice. One of the best ways to choose a good advisor is to know at least something about what you want to study and also for you to know what type of person you will work best with. This information will help lead you to the best possible match. It is certainly possible that you may not have a “perfect” match with your advisor, but the more information you can bring to the decision, the better it is likely to be. Having said all of that, you should also come prepared with some flexibility. Your research interests and ideas are likely to change as you learn more and that is a good



thing. Use that to your advantage. Once you have chosen an advisor, set up a meeting to discuss clear expectations for both you. This might include things like your plan of study, when you what to take your 1st exam, or how often you will meet. At a minimum you should plan to meet at least once a semester to discuss your course registration, but if you can get more frequent contact, that is even better. The meetings are most likely to happen if you get on their calendar sooner rather than later. (Don’t be afraid to ask to schedule meetings several months in advance. You can always cancel or modify a meeting time later.)

General Helpful Hints Regardless of which classes your take and when you take them, there are some general skills that you will need to be successful. This is not a comprehensive list, but the sooner you can master any of these skills, the easier it will be for you. Many of the older students have specific resources that helped us in learning some of

these things, so if you want to learn more, just ask.

SKILL WHAT HOWLiterature search

Systematic review and critical appraisal of the evidenceElectronic library

Course in EBMEndNote softwareStart with idea of the big pictureMeet the medical librarians (they can be very helpful)

Organization Appointment calendarDocumentsEmails

Keep calendar up-to-dateCheck/file emails regularlyBack-up important files

Peer relationships

Classmates matter (no one understands this better than someone going through it except those who have done before)

SocializeSupport each otherCelebrate milestonesGive constructive feedback

Personal Life Family, friends, and faith matter

Consistency between priorities and actions



Computer skills/equipment

Laptop with wireless access to GHSU networkHeadset (and camera?) for online classesDigital recorder (very helpful investment if audio learning is your thing)

Know what each course expects in terms of electronic communicationSeek help for older students as needed with technical aspects of electronic classroom accessUse IT Help desk at library for tech support

Writing Skills

Writing is the primary form of communication

Know your current skills and get help as neededSeek opportunities for feedbackRevise and polish everything (Practice matters)Use version dates on each draft to keep track of what you have

Student ServicesGHSU offers many services for its student’s convenience. You just need to know where to go to find what you need. Sounds simple? Agreed! However, here are some tips on where you should go in case you quickly need to…

See a doctor-Student Health Services, Pavilion II, Monday through Friday 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM

Study on campus-Student Center; 2nd floor-Library, 1st and 2nd floor-Classrooms not in use; also great to practice presentations-Graduate student resource room; 2nd floor CJ building



Buy books/supplies-Bookstore in the Student Center-Online stores (e.g., Amazon)-Senior graduate students from your program (also, contact GSO at [email protected])

Make copies-Student Center, 1st floor-Library, 1st floor-Copying service, Annex II

Use a computer-Graduate student resource room; 2nd floor CJ building-Student Center; 2nd floor-Library

Get technical assistance-IT service desk, Library, 1st floor: get help with everything related to your computer (e.g., email, WiFi, software, etc) - literally everything! Monday -Thursday 7:30 AM - 9:00 PM; Friday 7:30 AM - 7:00 PM

Get financial aid information-Kelly Building (brick building located next to the library), Financial Aid Office, 2nd floor

Make a payment-Kelly Building, Cashier’s Office, 2nd floor-PULSE

Send/receive a transcript-Kelly Building, Registrar’s Office, 1st floor-PULSE

Student OrganizationsGHSU has a growing number of registered student organizations. Every other week free lunch is provided by some organization for its members! This is a great asset to GHSU as students are able to explore various aspects of research and non-research related activities providing community service projects and leadership opportunities. The organizations range from different interest groups to chorus to GHSU Miracle Marathon. No matter where your interests lie, you will find an organization that will undoubtedly fit your fancy! However, the most important organizations for



you as a graduate student are the Student Government Association (SGA) and, of course, the Graduate Student Organization (GSO).

SGA is the highest level student organization and it serves as a voice for all GHSU students on campus, including graduate students, medical students, dental students, nursing students, allied health students, and all the ones that we forgot to mention. It serves as “a primary link between students, administration and faculty,” to quote its mission statement. (http://www.georgiahealth.edu/students/organizations/sga/)

GSO is an organization that will be a little more accessible to you in that we represent the graduate students (and you, as one of its members) in particular. We aim to be an official voice as well to ensure that our demands are heard at different institutional levels. We organize various service and fundraising events that we’d love you to be a part of, and--just as important--we coordinate social events to bring graduate students from all programs together as much as possible. (http://www.georgiahealth.edu/gradstudies/gso.html)

The complete list of organizations can be found athttp://www.georgiahealth.edu/students/organizations/

GHSU/CGS TraditionsCurrently more than 500 graduate students are enrolled in the different programs at GHSU. And thus it’s not too surprising that our school has developed some traditions over the years. Here are a few of them:

-Student Government Association TGIF: The Student Government Association hosts monthly free events (on and off campus), such as cookouts, movie nights, Halloween parties, a casino night, etc. These are great opportunities to mingle with students from other programs while enjoying a free dinner. Watch out for emails announcing these events--it’s incredibly easy to accidentally delete them.

-College of Graduate Studies Welcome Back Reception: Each year at the start of Fall semester, the CGS and its Alumni Association welcome the new graduate students and welcome back (not that most of us ever left!) all the returning graduate students and faculty at a reception in the Alumni Center. It features great food and drink, and is a wonderful opportunity to begin to meet other students and interact with faculty in a casual social setting. -College of Graduate Studies Fish Fry and Distinguished Alumnus Award Presentation: All alumni, faculty, students, and friends are invited to come together for great food, fun and fellowship. Each year, the GHSU College of



Graduate Studies Alumni Association presents the distinguished alumnus award to an outstanding honoree.

-College of Graduate Studies Graduate Research Day: The Graduate Research Day is one of the College of Graduate Studies’ longest-standing traditions and a highlight of each academic year. Each year, postdoctoral fellows and graduate students at GHSU showcase research in biomedical sciences, biostatistics, health informatics, medical illustration, and nursing. Be one of them next year.

-College of Graduate Studies Hooding Ceremony and Graduation: For one of the biggest days in our graduate school careers, GHSU goes all out, inviting family and friends to celebrate as you receive your diploma.

Outdoors and SportsBy Samuel Herberg

The Augusta CanalAugusta is fortunate to have two easily accessible waterways right in town. The Augusta Canal and the Savannah River run parallel to each other and provide quick and convenient outdoor fixes.

Built in 1845 as a source of power, water and transportation, the Augusta Canal is the only intact industrial canal in the American South in continuous use. During the Civil War it was the site of the Confederate State of America Powderworks complex. Deepened and widened in the 1870s, the canal brought an industrial boom to the city, especially in textile manufacturing. In 1975 the Canal and its mills were listed on the National Register of Historic Places and declared National Historic Landmark in 1978. In 1996 the United States Congress designated the Augusta Canal and nearby land a National Heritage Area. The wide, level towpath, once used by mules to pull canal boats to the headgates, today is a popular recreational trail for hikers, cyclists and runners. Additional trails into wooded and urban areas add variety to the outdoor experience. Canoers and kayakers can put in at several points and enjoy both the natural and urban scenery. You can pickup a map at the Interpretive Center, Lock Keepers Cottage Visitor Center or download a map from http://www.augustacanal.com.

Paths and Trails -The Towpath. Originally used by draft animals to pull canal cargo boats upstream to the locks, today the towpath is the main hiking/biking path on the north side of



the canal from the headgates to the raw water pumping station. No trees grew along the path in earlier times, as they do today. Location: Between Canal and Savannah River. From headgates to rest area is recycled asphalt surface, then sand/clay dirt road to Goodrich Street. -Mountain Bike Trail. Dirt trails maintained by area biking clubs between Savannah River and Railroad tracks. Location: Entrance near Waterworks.

-The New Bartram Trail. Noted American 18th Century naturalist William Bartram traveled to Augusta and throughout this part of Georgia and the Savannah River around the time of the American Revolution. He recorded hundreds of plants and animals in his famous journal, now known as Bartram’s Travels. A modern-day trail was named in his honor in 2002. Location: Lake Olmstead Bulkhead Bridge to northeast bank of canal. Surface is recycled asphalt with some areas of dirt or grass to 15th Street.

-The Historic Trail. Along the southwest bank of the canal, this trail passes though Harrisburg, an 18th Century trading post that became a 19th Century mill village and is now a National Landmark historic district. Location: This trail is through an urban area and crosses or uses some city streets. Surfaces vary. Begin at Lake Olmstead Bulkhead parking area; follow signs along southeast side of canal. Trail crosses to canal’s north side at 15th Street/Butt Bridge, ending at 13th Street/ Walton Rehabilitation Hospital.

-Lake Olmstead Trail. Rae’s Creek formed Lake Olmstead after canal enlargement during 1870s. Location: East side of lake from Bulkhead bridge to Julian Smith Casino (log recreation hall) at Broad Street.

-Downtown/ Riverwalk Trail. This trail follows city streets, crosses the canal’s second and third levels at several points and connects to Riverwalk. Location: 15th Street to dirt path at levee. Cross 13th Street, dirt path to Morris Museum of Art at Riverwalk. From here, either proceed east on the Riverwalk to St. Paul’s Church or south on 10th Street to Telfair, west to 11th Street, south to Fenwick, then east to 8th or west to 13th Streets.

Other nearby hike and bike trails include the North Augusta, S.C. Greeneway (cross the Savannah River at 13th Street) and the Columbia County multi-use trail in Evans (from Headgate/ Savannah Rapids Park, follow path by Evans-to-Lock Road southwest.

Canoers and kayakers can access the canal’s first level from a number of low points along the banks. A Canoe launch dock is located below the Petersburg Boat Dock



at the Headgate. Petersburg tour boats have right of way. Gas/diesel powered boats are not allowed on the canal. A stairway leads from the towpath to the Savannah River at the Headgates area. It is located across from the green pedestrian bridge.

Petersburg Boat ToursSee things from a different point of view as you tour the Augusta Canal on a Petersburg Boat. Well-informed, entertaining guides narrate the open-air trips. You’ll see 19th Century textile mills, the Confederate Powder Works site and two of Georgia’s only remaining 18th Century houses. And you might spy wildlife including heron, otter and even the occasional alligator. The 40-passenger open boats depart from the docks at Enterprise Mill.

-Canal Heritage One-hour tour. One-hour tours depart several times daily and travel about half the canal’s length. Your guide provides an informative and entertaining narration of the key historic sites, points of interest and the canal’s plant and animals.

-Three-hour Sunset Cruise. This full-length canal tour departs each Saturday from late March through November. A leisurely trip to the Headgates with a half hour stop at Savannah Rapids Park, followed by a twilight return to Enterprise Mill. Scout for sliding turtles and river otter as your lively tour guide narrates tales of Augusta’s past and present. This tour is geared to adults. Passengers are invited to bring aboard refreshments of their choice. -Moonlight Music Cruises. Enjoy live music in a variety of styles - each Friday in April through June and again from September to early November featuring performances from blues to bluegrass. Bring aboard your refreshments of choice. These highly popular cruises frequently sell out, so reservations are strongly recommended. -Special Events. Throughout the year special themed cruises and other interesting activities are planned. -Private Charters. Companies, conventions and families can enjoy a Petersburg boat tour all to themselves with a private charter.

The Savannah RiverThe Savannah River is a major river in the southeastern United States, forming most of the border between the states of South Carolina and Georgia. Two tributaries of the Savannah, the Tugaloo River and the Chattooga River, form the northernmost part of the border. The Savannah River drainage basin extends into the southeastern side of the Appalachian Mountains just inside North Carolina,



bounded by the Eastern Continental Divide. The river is around 350 miles long. Two major cities are located along the Savannah River: Savannah, Georgia, and Augusta, Georgia. They were nuclei of early English settlements during the Colonial period of American history. Also, the two large cities on the Savannah served as Georgia’s first two state capitals.

Thus, as the name implies, this river will take you to Savannah, if you’re well equipped and motivated. In dry months, the river can be pretty low and rocky, but still offers manifold opportunities for having fun canoeing, kayaking, and tubing it. There are some laid back Class 1 rapids and, after a good rain, a decent Class 2, which is river left and about half a mile past the meadow. Below the Class 2 the river smoothes out, large houses appear on the South Carolina bank, and motorboats frequent the area (stick to the river right!).

RentalsBroadway Bait & Tackle (706) 738 8848$35/boat/day - canoe only (incl. paddle and PFD)

Broad River Outpost (706) 795 3242$15/person on weekdays - kayak or canoe (incl. paddle and PFD)$20/person on weekends and holidaysGroups welcome! One rental free with each 10th person.

Hiking and Biking in and around AugustaAugusta occupies a prime location with access to many outstanding outdoor opportunities beside the before mentioned Canal and Savannah River offering a variety of beautiful trails (see Paths and Trails above). Furthermore, the north Georgia mountains are only 3.5 hours away, offer stunning views, and are home to the southern terminus of the 2175 mile Appalachian Trail, Springer Mountain. Amicalola State Park near Spring Mountain along Highway 53 is another great place to spend a sunny fall afternoon. Day hikes and multi-day hikes can easily be organized out of Dahlonega or Helen, GA along the Appalachian Trail or various side trails. And last but not least, a number of state parks in close proximity offer great hiking trails, picnic areas, camping grounds, and if located on a lake, even water fun of any kind. See the following website for more detailshttp://gastateparks.org/net/go/parks.aspx?show=parks&go=1&s=0.0.1.5.

If you enjoy riding bicycles, Augusta boasts an excellent cycling community. There are many bike trails in the Augusta area including the Augusta Canal Towpath, Bartram Trail, Stevens Creek Trail, North Augusta Greeneway, Forks Area Trail System (FATS), and even BMX tracks conveniently accessible and perfect for some adventures on your mountain bike. Besides, the country roads of South Carolina



provide a quiet and safe place to explore the countryside on your road bike. And if you don’t mind driving for a little bit, the nearby north Georgia mountains also provide amazing roads for challenging road cycling and great trails for mountain biking. All three local bike shops have group rides for mountain & road biking and provide great opportunities to enjoy some fresh air on two wheels in good company, no matter if you are a serious racer or if you want to discover cycling for the first time. Just go! Of note, due to the increasing number of triathletes in the Augusta area, all shops are heavily geared up to accommodate the needs of these individuals as well.

-Outspokin’ Bicycles: Group rides on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 6:00 PM; Saturday and Sunday at 9:00 AM. Except Sundays (from Goody Two Shoes, 201 Milledge Rd), rides leave from the shop. Road bikes only. All riders welcome. See website for levels/ pace of the different rides. 1904 Walton WayAugusta, GA 30904(706) 736 2486http://outspokinaugusta.com/

-Andy Jordan’s Bicycle Warehouse: Group rides on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 6:30 PM; Saturday at 9:00 AM. All rides leave from the shop. Except for Wednesdays (mountain bikes), road bikes only. All riders welcome. See website for levels/ pace of the different rides. 527 13th StreetAugusta, GA 30901(706) 724 6777http://andyjordans.com/

-Chain Reaction Bicycles: Group rides on Tuesday and Thursday at 6:00 PM; Saturday at 8:00 AM; Sunday at 1:30 PM. All riders welcome. Except for Sundays (mountain bikes), road bikes only. See website for starting location and levels/ pace of the different rides. 3920 Roberts RoadMartinez, GA 30907(706) 855 2024

http://chainreactionbicycles.net/

Enjoying Other SportsAs you all know, not everybody likes to swing the paddles sitting in a boat, to hike rocky trails or to bike into the sunset. What if plain running or swimming, playing tennis, soccer, basketball, volleyball, softball, golf or disk golf, or just a good old gym



workout is your thing? Well, the good news is, there are plenty of opportunities for everything! However, the following is by no means a complete list, since at the end of the day it really depends on you!

-Running: Several running groups meet at different times at various locations. This is a great way of meeting other athletes! And let’s face it - running by yourself can become extremely boring after a while. Examples: ‘Nacho Mama’s Run’ Tuesday at 6:00 PM; meeting in front of the restaurant; 3-5 miles at casual pace. ‘Augusta Market Run’ Saturday at 7:00 AM; meeting at 8th St/ farmers market; 3-20 miles at different paces. ‘FATS Trail Run’ Sundays at 7:00 AM; meeting at Woodlawn Road parking area; 5-15 miles at different paces. For more information, feel free to contact [email protected].

-Swimming: The Augusta Aquatics Center offers a 50-meter pool for lap swimming and a 25-yd pool for recreational swimming. There is also a weight room and a locker room with showers. Passes to the Aquatics center can be purchased from the GHSU Wellness Center. Costs: single visit for $2; 12 visits for $18. 3157 Damascus RoadAugusta, GA 30909-4035(706) 261 0424http://www.augustaga.gov/index.aspx?nid=391

-Tennis: Newman Tennis Center offers 18 hard courts of which 12 are lighted. Costs: $1.25/person/hour (daytime), $1.50/person/hour (nighttime)3103 Wrightsboro Rd.Augusta, GA 30901(706) 8211600http://augustaga.gov/index.aspx?nid=771

-Soccer: Augusta Soccer Park/ Arsenal Soccer 3824 Maddox RdAugusta, GA 30909(706) 854 0149http://www.augustasoccer.com

Augusta Amateur Soccer League (AASL); Pick-up games to meet players from other teams. Mondays from 6:45pm - dark at Riverview Park in North Augusta; Wednesdays and Sundays from 6:45pm/4pm - whenever; Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:45pm – dark at Blanchard Woods Park.4600 Blanchard Woods DrEvans, GA 30809http://www.hometeamsonline.com/teams/?u=RIKSAND&t=c&s=soccer&p=home



-Intramural Sports at GHSU: GHSU offers a variety of different IM sports including basketball, volleyball, softball, dodgeball, soccer, and flag football. For more details see http://www.georgiahealth.edu/wellness/imsports.html. It’s a great way to meet your classmates and make new friends from other programs. Just put together a team and sign up! Of note, usually there’s at least one GSO sponsored team competing each season. Be on that team and contact [email protected] for information.

-Golf: Augusta is not only home to the most prestigious course in the US, but there it also offers plenty of course options across many price ranges. For more details see http://www.golflink.com/golf-courses/city.aspx?dest=Augusta+ga.

-Popular Gyms: GHSU Wellness Center; located in the Student Center; probably the most common place students choose to exercise since you already paid for it! For more details see http://www.georgiahealth.edu/wellness/.

Downtown Family Y: The closest YMCA branch to campus; located downtown Augusta on the first two floors of the historical YMCA building, this hospital-based wellness center offers great options right around the corner. For more details see http://www.thefamilyy.org/locations.asp?id=362. 945 Broad Street Augusta, GA 30901 Phone: (706) 922-6190

Wilson Branch Family Y: Offers what you expect from a family-oriented place to work out. For more details see http://www.thefamilyy.org/familyMain_l2.asp?ID=36.3570 Wheeler Road Augusta, GA 30909 (706) 922 9622

The OMNI Club: If you are looking for a gym where you can work out 24-7, this is the place to go! For more details see http://www.theomniclubathens.com/page123715.aspx.3637 Walton Way Ext.Augusta, GA 30909(706) 481 0502



Life Outside of SchoolBy Katie Spitler and Namita Hattangady

We all know starting a new program of study is stressful. Your first year might be class intensive, program intensive, training intensive…etc. It will take a while to get into a rhythm of studying, working, drawing and everything else that happens during your first year. But…hopefully you will be able to find time for some fun and relaxation. Although it may seem like you won’t have time to kick back and relax, remember that in order to be good at something, sanity is a must! So take a break every now and again, and keep your options open - Augusta may seem like a small place, but it has much to offer! At our very own GHSU, the Wellness Center has impressive facilities and fun group exercise classes like zumba, kickboxing and, at an additional cost, dancing, power yoga, etc. They can be quite the work out but it is a great thing to help work off some steam and stay healthy. Once you get into your rhythm of studying you’ll discover the right amount of free time for you. Luckily you can get places in Augusta pretty quickly from the GHSU area. Augusta is the 2nd largest city in Georgia and has quite a bit to offer. You’ll find plenty of quaint shops, restaurants, and active nightlife. But if that doesn’t quench your thirst for adventure we are less than 3 hours away from Atlanta, Charleston, Savannah, Athens and the mountains…

Fun and GamesPutt Putt Fun Center- Attractions include putt putt golf, lazertag, a game room and batting cages. There are daily specials.http://puttputt.com/3763 Martinez BoulevardMartinez, GA (706) 868-0083

Adventure Crossing- Attractions include mini-golf, lazertag, midway rides, Go-Karts, batting cages and an arcade. www.adventure-crossing.com4350 Wheeler RoadAugusta, GA(706) 863-3087

Brunswick National Laneswww.bowlbrunswick.com3067 Washington RoadAugusta, GA (706) 860-1667



AMF Masters Laneswww.amf.com1810 Gordon HighwayAugusta, GA (706) 733-3624

Stardust Skate Center 700 Scott Nixon Memorial DriveAugusta, GA (706) 736-4111

Skateland of Augustawww.skatelandofaugusta.com/2451 Windsor Spring Rd. Augusta, GA (706)-796-4048

Augusta Ice Sports Center-offers public skate, private or group instruction, hockey and group rates. http://augustaicesports.com/1249 Augusta West ParkwayAugusta, GA(706)-863-0061

SportsAugusta Greenjackets- Augusta’s Class A minor league baseball affiliate. The games are fun and the tickets are cheap and there are usually fun promotions going on. Thursdays are “Thirsty Thursdays” with dollar beer. This is a popular fun outing that is good for groups of friends or family. www.greenjackets.net/78 Milledge RdAugusta, GA (706) 736-7889

Augusta Riverhawks- Augusta’s minor league hockey team, great for group events and sure to include an occasional fist fight. They also play at the James Brown Arena.601 7th StreetAugusta, GA (706) 722-3521



August Rowing Club- This club is a nationally recognized facility on the east coast and has hosted two Olympic teams and producing several nationally ranked scholastic teams! It is well equipped with showers, bathrooms, locker rooms, and an in-house workout room with free weights and machine weights. They provide open membership to the community and host several competitions at the high-school level.http://www.augustarowingclub.org101 Riverfront Dr.Augusta, GA 30901(706) 432-0022

Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (SORBA)- This is the largest nonprofit mountain biking organization in the Southeast and has created trails and trail systems for mountain bikers and other users to enjoy. SORBA’s mission is ‘to promote land access, trail preservation, and new trail development in order to enhance mountain bike touring, racing, fun, and fellowship for all mountain bicyclists in the southeastern United States’. Watch their website to keep in touch with their activities.http://www.sorbacsra.org/Events/Main.htms

Movies$2 Theater- Masters 7 cinema offers $1.99 movies. This is a 2nd run theater so it shows movies after they have been out in theaters for a month or two, but if you don’t mind the wait it is definitely the best deal. The theaters aren’t too bad either, not your typical run down $1 movie theaters. http://www.georgiatheatrecompany.com/masters7.aspx2824 Washington RdAugusta, GA (706)-667-6653

Regal 20 Augusta Exchange Movie Theatre- Augusta’s largest, nicest and most expensive movie theatre located in the Augusta Exchange Area. It features 3D, IMAX, and regular style movies in a comfy stadium seating theater. It is on the expensive side with matinees ending at 3p.m., but during the week they offer student discounts with proper ID.www.regmovies.com/1144 Agerton LnAugusta, GA (706) 667-6653



GTC Evan’s 14- This theater is a few miles down off of Washington Road from the $2 theater, but features all the new movies. If you still want to see a movie at Matinee price this theater ends their matinees at 6p.m., so if you don’t mind a few extra minutes drive this is a good place to go to see new movies at a decent rate. http://www.georgiatheatrecompany.com/evans14.aspx4365 Towne Center Dr.Evans, GA(706) 869-1269

RecreationRiverwalk- This is a nice path down by the riverside of the Savannah River which has many historical landmarks and scenic views. It is a beautiful place to go take an evening stroll or read a book on the weekend. http://riverwalk.tripod.com/This is located off of Downtown Augusta by the river.

Riverview Park- A fun park across the river in North Augusta that is very close to GHSU. There is a 1-mile jogging/walking track, baseball fields, tennis courts, soccer fields and an 18-hole Frisbee golf course. It also connects to the Greeneway Trail. Part of the park is the Riverview Park Activities Center that has an indoor track, basketball courts, racquetball courts and weight/fitness area. http://www.northaugusta.net/Departments/ParksRecreation/RiverviewPark ActivitiesCenter/tabid/118/Default.aspx100 Riverview Park Dr.North Augusta, SC(803)-441-4305

The Greeneway Trail- If you cross the river to South Carolina you will find a 7-mile long paved trail with many points of access along its length. The view you will see running/walking/biking this trail is really nice. The Eastern-most point where parking is available is on Pisgah Road, but you can also park at Riverview Park. http://www.northaugusta.net/Departments/ParksRecreation/GreenewayTrail/tabid/115/Default.aspx(803)-441-4311

Augusta Canal National Heritage Area- This is a historic trail set away from the craziness of Augusta Roads. You can ride bikes or run. You can also take a kayak or canoe down to the river from this area. There are also boat rides down the river and much, much morewww.augustacanal.comTrail starts at Savannah River Rapids Pavilion 3300 Evans-to-Lock RoadMartinez, GA (706) 823-0440



Hilltop Riding Stable- For those who love riding horseback, this stable offers open riding with a 24hr advance reservation. Guided trail rides are available on Saturdays. www.fortgordon.com/hilltop_riding_stable.php508 North Range RoadFort Gordon, GA (706) 791-4864

Swamp Saturdays - The Swamp is open year round and is beautiful at any time of the year. It is a great place to just walk around and get some air. For the spring and summer months on the 1st Saturday during the Spring and Summer Months at 9:30a.m. at the Phinizy Swamp Nature Park. Don’t miss a walk through wetlands, over picturesque trails, and scenic outlooks. 540 Telfair StreetAugusta, GA(706) 828-2109

Lake Olmstead/Julian Smith Park- This beautiful lake is conveniently close to GHSU and has much to offer. Lake Olmsted Park has much to offer, including ad disc golf course, a 3.5 mile walking track, park benches to relax or organize picnics, manicured landscape, a gazebo that has hosted several wedding, and much more. Motorized and Non-Motorized boats have special access days at Lake Olmsted Park. 2200 Broad StreetAugusta, GA 30904(706) 796-5025

Lake Thurmond- Thurmond Lake is consistently one of the top 10 most visited Corps site in the U.S. and offers a variety of recreational opportunities, including swimming opportunities in the gorgeous artificially created beaches, picnics/recreation areas and campgrounds along the shoreline, fishing grounds, coves and areas of quiet water for water skiing, canoeing, kayaking, sailing or motor boating.http://www.sas.usace.army.mil/lakes/thurmond/t_recreation.html510 Clarks Hill Hwy Clarks Hill, SC 29821 (864) 333-1100

FATS or Forks Area Trail System- Located in the Long Cane Ranger District of the Sumter National Forest, the FATS boasts of 37 miles of multiple loops, with a variety of characters and feels, so as to be useful to beginners and advanced athletes alike. In 2009 FATS received IMBA Epic status, and in 2010, was the venue for the annual IMBA World Mountain Bike Summit.http://www.sorbacsra.org/Trails/FATS.htm



Educational/HistoricalMorris Museum of Art- Located on the Riverwalk in downtown, this museum is dedicated to the art and artists of the American South with a large collection of paintings, works on paper, photographs and sculptures. www.themorris.org1 10th StreetAugusta, GA 30901(706) 724-7501

Augusta Museum of History- This is Augusta’s oldest historical museum which actively collects and curates the largest and most significant historical items in this area. www.augustamuseum.org560 Reynolds StreetAugusta, GA 30901-1430(706) 722-8454

Augusta Canal Interpretive Center- Located in the historic Enterprise Mill, the Augusta Canal National Heritage Interpretive Center features hands-on exhibits depicting canal construction and mill life that, along with two reproduction canal boats funded with transportation funds through the Georgia Department of Transportation, are extremely popular with school groups as well as the general public. 1450 Greene Street #400Augusta, GA 30901(706) 823-0440http://www.augustacanal.com/

The Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History- The only African American Museum in the CSRA, which opened in 1991, is a small house museum that was the former home of Miss Lucy Craft Laney. The museum is located in the Historic Laney-Walker District, near the original site of the Haines Normal and Industrial Institute. The mission of the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History is to promote the legacy of Ms. Lucy Craft Laney through arts and history. 1116 Phillips StreetAugusta, GA 30901 (706) 724-3576http://www.lucycraftlaneymuseum.com/

Music & TheaterAugusta Symphony- This is a group of Augusta’s most talented musicians that play a wide range of music at various venues. www.augustasymphony.org



1301 Greene StreetAugusta, GA 30901-1031(706) 826-4705

James Brown Arena- features various bands, Cirque Du Soleil & other performances through-out the year from Beauty and the Beast, Daughtry, and Jeff Dunhamwww.augustaentertainmentcomplex.com1330 Interstate Parkway Augusta, GA (706) 651-2020

Augusta Ballet- The Augusta Ballet’s choice of programming is far reaching yet relatable to today’s audiences. The ballet arose from a small civic ballet to a nationally recognized arts organization.http://www.augustaballet.org/1301 Greene StreetAugusta, GA 30901-1031(706) 261-0555

Augusta Players- The Augusta Players is an award-winning non-profit community theatre organization dedicated to presenting the highest quality theatrical productions. Their purpose is to create an artistic environment that attracts and excites diverse members of the community to draw new audience memberswww.augustaplayers.org1301 Greene StreetAugusta, GA 30901-1031(706) 826-4707

Le Chat Noir- This little theatre has the local arts community all shook up. From genre-bending “dramadies” like “Torch Song Trilogy” to button pushing plays like “Killer Joe.” Augusta audiences love the theatricality of this group.http://www.lcnaugusta.com/304 8th Street Augusta, GA (706) 722-3322

Rock Fore! Dough- This is a yearly American Rock benefit concert. This concert has featured bands such as: Colbie Cailait, Hootie and the Blowfish and The Goo Goo Dolls. http://web.me.com/jasemail/RFD/Welcome.htmlTuesday, April 5th, 2011The First Tee of Augusta



3165 Damascus Rd.Augusta, GA(706)-364-4653

Candlelight Jazz- Every Sunday 8:00pm, rain or shine, live jazz will be brought to you May through August. Remember to bring your own seating and picnic. This showcase features difference bands and styles of jazz from swing to bebop. Admission: $6 (except free concerts on Father’s Day & 4th of July)http://www.gardencityjazz.com/candlelight.htmlRiverwalk Augusta Eighth Street Bulkhead(706) 495-6238

DanceIf you Love to dance or would like to learn or improve on your dance moves, here are a few options Augusta has to offer.

Ballroom in Motion- This place provides fun and easy ballroom dancing classes that will have you learning to dance quickly. They guarantee that with over 26 years of experience their system of teaching provides the highest quality instruction at a reasonable price! https://www.ballroominmotion.com/3833 Martinez Boulevard Augusta, GA 30907(706) 414-6381

A&E Dance Studio- Located in downtown Augusta, A&E Dance Studio has been serving the CSRA since 2003 with a fun, easy and moving dance experience. They provide training in competitive dancing and social fun dancing. They mainly specialize in private dance instruction in the Ballroom, Latin and Swing styles. You do not need a partner to begin lessons. Besides private lessons, A&E also offers group workshops, monthly dance socials and fitness classes.www.aedancestudio.com14 9th Street, Augusta, GA 30901 (706) 836-1556

5,6,7,8 Studios- They offer a variety of different dance inspired fitness classes such as Zumba, Line Dance, Exotic, Hip Hop, Pole and other dance inspired fitness classes.www.5678studios.com/4332 Wheeler Road #101 Martinez, GA 30907 (706) 855-8599



Pets & VetsCSRA Humane Society- They rescue or take in stranded dogs and cats and try to find them homes. Adopting a pet includes the pet’s first set of shots, initial deworming, test for feline leukemia and FIV, canine heartworm test if old enough. Also includes microchipping, and spay/neuter. Adoption Fees are $125 for cats and $125-$175 for dogs. Need somewhere to volunteer? This is a great place to volunteer, you get to work with some great animals and work off some stress.http://www.csrahumanesociety.org/425 Wood StreetAugusta, GA (706) 261-7387

Aiken SPCA- has placed thousands of needy animals into loving homes. An adoption fee of $95 for puppies and $75 all other adoptions. These costs include; Age-appropriate vaccinations, Deworming , Spay/neuter, Microchip implant, Heartworm testing (adult dogs), Feline leukemia testing (kittens and cats) http://aikenspca.org/401 Wire RoadAiken, SC (803) 648-6863

Highland Animal Hospital- is a full-service veterinary medical facility. The professional and courteous staff seeks to provide the best possible medical care, surgical care and dental care for their highly-valued patients.http://highlandanimalhospit.tripod.com/2124 Highland Ave Augusta, GA (706) 736-1443

Banfield Pet Hospital- located in Petsmart. They provide comprehensive veterinary care for Dogs, Cats, and Small Pets: Vaccinations & Preventive Care, Illness & Injury Care, Surgery and Internal Medicine & Dentistry, Radiology and Microchipping. www.banfield.net/217 Robert C Daniel Junior ParkwayAugusta, GA(706) 738-1682

PetSmart- need something for your pet? They have food, bedding, toys, leashes…etc. www.petsmart.com/217 Robert C Daniel Jr PkwyAugusta, GA (706) 738-0414



PetCo- Another great place to buy things for your pet or take them in to get their nails trimmed or a bath.www.petco.com/4209 Washington RoadEvans, GA (706) 869-0737

Augusta’s Major Events1st FridayThis is a great time to grab friends and head on down to downtown Augusta the 1st Friday of every month to see local artists, local bands, art galleries and street performers. First Friday is a free, family friendly event extending from 7th to 12th Street.

Masters- Tournament - first full week in April This is one of the four major championships in professional golf. Scheduled for the first full week of April, it is the first of the majors to be played each year. Unlike the other major championships, the Masters is held each year at the same location, Augusta National Golf Club, a private golf club on Washington Road. Spring break at GHSU is always scheduled during this event. Word to the wise during this time: it is best to avoid Washington road or be prepared for traffic.

Arts in the Hearts of Augusta - in September This is an exciting festival full of art, food, literature and fun. Artists and crafters with booths will provide an eclectic showing of fine pieces of art. There is an international food bazaar with food vendors representing many different nations. Kids are more than welcome to come and have their own children’s area where they get to have a little fun of their own. If you are a book person there is a literary village which features authors selling their books and award winning literary pieces will be read.

Augusta Half Marathon and Half Ironman Augusta hosts several sports events including the annual Augusta Half marathon, typically held in February and the Half Ironman every September. These events attract several thousand participants from all over the country! These are opportunities that several GHSU students participate in. You can train with them or cheer them on as they make us proud!



Restaurants and NightlifeBy Katie Spitler, Colleen Carey, and Samuel Herberg

Augusta offers many delectable delights for all taste palates. We are going to focus on only a few of Augusta’s fine eateries, but there are many more out there. Whether you are in search of a good cup of coffee, fast lunch, fancy dinner or a good place to go with friends you will be able to find something close by GHSU that works for you. Take note, this list is by no means comprehensive—this is just a list of places downtown and on campus to get you started. But that means you have to venture out to Washington Rd. and find the “cool” places that you love to go yourself! To find a lot more delicious places to eat you can check out http://www.augustarestaurants.net/.

On CampusStudent Center:Mr. Lee’s Sushi- Yummy sushi from $5-$10. Don’t forget the wasabi!Firehouse Subs- Toasted subs made fresh for your delightChik-Fil-A- Tasty chicken with just the basics in stock but not bad for your buckFat Man’s Too- Good ole fashioned Southern comfort food.

McDonalds- This is located on the 1st floor of the Children’s Medical Center. as well as one at 1464 Walton Way, both within walking distance of school.

The Terrace (hospital cafeteria)- Located on the 2nd floor of the GHSU hospital, this is a convenient dining facility for when you forget your lunch. There is a connector through the CJ building on the 3rd floor that will take you to the hospital and the café.

MochaMan- A coffee shop located in the Greenblatt Library. They have tasty caffeinated and non-caffeinated beverages and basic snacks and sandwiches.

Snack Cart - located in the lobby of the Allied Health Sciences building. This is a place where you can pick up a few snacks or a drink during the day. The cart has fruit, sandwiches, cookies, muffins, drinks and of course coffee. Note: Cash is the easiest choice of payment here.

Places within 5 Miles of GHSUWhen you have a little more time:Crums on Central- Wood fired steaks & pizza, southern comfort food, and great wines!1855 Central Avenue, (706) 729-6969



The P.I. Bar and Grill- Chosen in 1923 to host Augusta’s welcoming banquet for President Warren G. Harding, The Partridge Inn boasts a long legacy of culinary excellence. Redesigned with vibrant colors and sophisticated style, The P.I. Bar and Grill showcases innovative, contemporary Southern cuisine, with dishes ranging from creative small plates to decadent entrees and desserts.2110 Walton Way, (706) 737-8888

French Market Grille- Locally owned French Market Grille has been one of Augusta’s most popular restaurants for over 26 years - Cajun cooking serving Louisiana-style dishes in a casual atmosphere.425 Highland Avenue, (706) 737-4865

Takosushi- Far East, southwest. Sushi meets Mexican. Shake off the day with a signature martini or glass of wine from a wine list that veers away from the ordinary. It’s an unexpected little spot that will definitely top your “destinations” list.437 Highland Avenue, (706) 736-9191

When you’re in a rush:Subway- Whether it is a $5 footlong or a healthy 6-inch you can’t go wrong with these subs. 1569 Walton Way, (706) 737-8205

S&S Cafeteria- Comfort food with a southeastern style serving southern classics like fried chicken, deviled eggs and sweet potato ball. 1616 Walton Way, (706) 736-2972

Szechuan Garden- This bright blue building will catch your eye as you head down Walton Way. This Chinese restaurant offers pretty tasty food for cheap. During lunch they have a buffet with a nice selection for $5 and dinner will run you $6-$10 but you get a lot. 1535 Walton Way, (706) 738-2302Happy China- Right by Kroger on 15th, this Chinese restaurant provides an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet and fairly cheap dinner take-out.523 15th Street, (706) 722-2368

Burger King- Home of the Whopper1815 Walton Way (706) 737-4848Wendy’s- Tasty chicken, beef and chili for a decent price.1730 Walton Way, (706) 738-5096

Arby’s- Fast food fast with yummy curly fries. 1823 Walton Way, (706) 736-2301



Pizza Hut- Take-out or Lunch Buffet.615 15th Street, (706) 724-3302

Zaxby’s- Good chicken strips and onion rings. 1702 Walton Way, (706) 481-0717

Teresa’s- Mexican food that is a local favorite1831 Walton Way, (706) 736-4906

Firehouse Subs- Famous subs and lot of soft drink choices.527 Walton Way, (706) 364-4220

Krystal’s- More fast food!1555 Walton Way, (706) 733-5484

Downtown AugustaBoll Weevil- If you love desserts this is a place you must visit. Built in an old cotton warehouse, the ambiance is great. Besides desserts this restaurants offers a wide variety of sandwiches and other treats.10 9th Street, (706) 722-7772

Nacho Mama’s A great American/Mexican restaurant that is a great place to go for lunch or to start your evening downtown. They serve nachos and burritos with a traditional or not so traditional style. 976 Broad Street, (706) 724-0501

Mellow Mushroom- Looking for some tasty and unique choice of Pizza1167 Broad Street, (706) 828-5578

Bee’s Knees- Looking for a great place to take friends a share some Tapas? This restaurant offers a wide variety of tapas, small to large, for any taste. 211 10th Street, (706) 828-3600

1102 Downtown Bar & Grill- A nice and relaxing place to spend an evening, DJ Kenny Ray Sundays; steak night Mondays; trivia night with cash prizes Tuesdays; F&B night Wednesdays; happy hour 3-7 p.m. daily.11th and Broad Street, (706) 364-4075

Augustino’s Italian Eatery and Prime Steaks- The name pretty much says it all. It can be a little pricey, but they have a pasta-made-to-order lunch buffet that’s very affordable.2 10th Street, (706) 823-6521



The Pizza Joint- Like pizza for cheap but still delicious? This is the place for you. You can buy by slice and they are really big slices, so even the hungriest person can eat a lot of pizza for under $10. 1245 Broad Street, (706) 774-0037

Rooster’s Beak- This restaurant puts an interesting twist on a taco from Korean BBQ to Catfish tacos.215 10th Street, (706) 364-2260

Soy Noodle House- Any type of Asian cuisine you can imagine: from Thai to Vietnamese to Chinese, you can find it all.1032 Broad Street, (706) 364-3116

New Moon Café- This restaurant offers a variety of pastries, sandwiches, salads, soups, coffees, teas, and smoothies.The White’s Building, 936 Broad St, (706) 823-2008The Moon at University Hospital, 1350 Walton Way, (706) 288-3057Blue Sky Kitchen- From Korean bulgolgi to southern fried catfish, Jamaican jerk chicken to Hawaiian tuna poki, and whatever your mood may be, you are sure that you will find something on their menu to satisfy your desire.990 Broad Street, (706) 821-3988

North AugustaAntonio’s Italian Eatery-Bringing Italy to North Augusta- Enjoy everything from pizza to pasta, sandwiches to party trays! 336 Georgia Ave, Suite 103, (803) 341-9720

Manuel’s Bread Café- Neighborhood bakery and café. Known for their weekend brunch menu!505 Railroad Avenue, (803) 380-1323

TASTE- A casual tapas and wine bar, is the newest addition to the Hammonds Ferry neighborhood right across from Manuel’s Bread Café. 465 Railroad Ave, (803) 341-9881.

Casa di Pizza- Best Pizza in North Augusta!103 Edgewood Shopping Center, (803) 279-4418

Sunrise Grill- Open from 6am-2pm every day serving breakfast and lunch. A great place for a nice weekend breakfast!404 E Martintown Rd #4, (803) 202-9898



Old McDonald’s Fish Camp, Inc.- They are famous for their all-you-can-eat grits and hushpuppies bar.355 Currytown Rd, (803) 279-3305

More Upscale Places5 O’Clock Bistro- Upscale charm, cozy atmosphere, superb food. Open Wednesday through Sunday, they offer unique and elegantly classic European recipes, combined with hand-crafted curing and a carefully-selected wine list. 2111 Kings Way, Augusta, GA 30904, 706-922-9560http://www.5oclockbistro.com/

Bistro 491- Bistro 491 opened its doors in March of 1999 as an intimate neighborhood eatery serving a menu inspired by the seasons - simple, elegant food, paired with a stellar wine list and professional service.491 Highland Avenue, (706) 738-6491 http://www.bistro491.com/

Frog Hollow Tavern- Modern “Restaurant meets Bar” where a diverse crowd of people enjoy the company of others paired with a comfortable atmosphere, detailed service, and exquisite cuisine. Expect a dinner menu that features a substantial amount of local and regionally grown seasonal quality ingredients, prepared with the intention of letting the freshness speak for itself.1282 Broad Street Augusta (706) 364-6906http://www.froghollowtavern.com/

Nightlife Check also www.augusta.com/nightlife/.

Still Water Tap Room- A very relaxed atmosphere that works well for hanging out with a group of friends. Upstairs you can find pool, darts and foosball. 974 Broad Street, (706) 826-9857

Metro, A Coffeehouse (but really a bar)- They also have beer and pool.1054 Broad Street, (706) 722-6468

Soul Bar- As far as bars go, this has got to be one of the most populated of all the Broad Street bars on First Friday. 80’s night on the second Friday of every month may just be the greatest thing to do in all of downtown Augusta.984 Broad Street, (706) 724-8880



P.I.- A great place to enjoy some live Jazz or Blues with your beer, wine, or martini. Smoke-free! 2110 Walton Way, (706) 737-8888

Surrey Tavern- A great place to hang out with friends or make new ones.471 Highland Avenue, (706) 736-1221

The Library Nightclub (formerly known as the VUE Lounge)- Come and enjoy Augusta’s largest Wine and specialty Martini lists. DJ Richie Rich will caress your ears with eclectic music genres ranging from the best of the Oldies, Shag, Jazz to 70’s Disco Funk.469 Highland Avenue, (706) 364-0786

Somewhere in Augusta- It’s a sports bar with enough televisions to watch ANY sporting event that you may desire. Dining includes regular bar food—meaning chicken wings and fries and delicious.2820 Washington Road, (706) 739-0002

Fox’s Lair- Dr. John Fisher of medical school fame often kilts up (metaphorically) and serenades the cutesy bar with old Irish folk songs. Also, GHSU bands perform here sometimes, so come out and see your friends when they do! 349 Telfair Street, (706) 828-5600

Bars with Activities/TriviaHelga’s Lounge- This is a classic neighborhood bar. It features foosball, pool, food and a great location on Central Avenue. Trivia is on Saturday evenings.2015 Central Avenue, (706) 736-2880Cotton Patch- It’s a perfect place to sit on the patio and enjoy some live music. And it doesn’t hurt that the food is pretty good too. Trivia is on Wednesday evenings.816 Cotton Lane, (706) 724-4511

Limelight Café- Stiff drinks, tons of beer, and fried food. Why wouldn’t you go? Trivia is two nights a week, but we’re not sure which days. 1137 Agerton Lane, (706) 731-0220

Somewhere in Augusta- See above. 2820 Washington Road, (706) 739-0002

Malibu Jack’s Surf Grill- Beach-inspired temporary escape from your busy world. Karaoke on Sundays and Tuesdays, Trivia on Mondays and Thursdays.231 Fury’s Ferry Station, (706) 364-9175

Wild Wing Café- Whether you’re a winglover or not, we think you’ll love Wild Wing. Lots of live music, Trivia on Mondays. 3035 Washington Rd., (706) 364-9453



The Highlander- A British Pub- Food menu contains authentic English Fair. Open Mic night on Tuesdays and Trivia on Thursdays.133 Georgia Ave, (803) 278-2796

The Necessities of LifeBy Preethi Ganapathy and Juan Mo

We’ve tried our best to give you an overview of the ins and outs of graduate school. Unfortunately (or not so unfortunately!), school is not the only thing that you’ll need to know about when you’re in Augusta—obviously, you’ll also need access to the basics: food, accessories, meds, and spiritual solidarity. Here’s a brief outline of places that are close by and offer anything and everything you may need during your years at GHSU.

ShoppingKroger: Groceries, accessories, pharmacy

501 15th Street, Augusta, GA: walking distance from GHSU’s campus, great if you don’t have a car2801 Washington Road, Augusta, GA: Washington Rd. has more traffic than most streets in Augusta , but this Kroger is much larger and offers a greater variety than the other two1284 Knox Avenue, North Augusta, SC: in North Augusta, but fairly close to campus

Publix: Groceries & pharmacy, usually pricier than Kroger

2816 Washington Road, Augusta, GA: Basically across the street from the Kroger on Washington Road334 East Martintown Road, North Augusta, SC

Walmart: Just about anything from food to clothes to cleaning supplies, pharmacy

3209 Deans Bridge Road, Augusta, GA260 Bobby Jones Expressway, Augusta, GA1201 Knox Avenue, North Augusta, GA

Target: Pricier version of Walmart



235 Robert C Daniel Junior Parkway, Augusta, GA4223 Washington Road, Evans, GA: this Target is ~25 minutes away from campus, but it’s larger than the one on Robert C Daniel Jr. Pkwy.

Augusta Mall: Our mall has been recently renovated and is at Wrightsboro Road and Bobby Jones (I-520). It has department stores including Dillards, Macy’s, Sears, and JC Penney—as well as Banana Republic, Gap, Abercrombie and Fitch, Ann Taylor, White House Black Market, American Eagle, much more, and lots of places to eat!

Special Food ItemsAsian Choice: Indian grocery store

404 Shartom Drive, Augusta, GA (behind Applebee’s on Washington Rd) – (706) 855-1869

Bismillah: Pakistani grocery store501 Shartom Drive, Augusta, GA (behind Applebee’s on Washington Rd) – (706) 855-0663

Kim’s Oriental Market: Chinese/Japanese/Korean/Thai grocery store2324 Lumpkin Road, Augusta, GA – (706) 790-3431

PharmaciesIn order from closest to farthest:

CVS: 1520 Walton Way, Augusta, GA – (706) 724-0598

Rite-Aid: 1505 Walton Way, Augusta, GA – (706) 828-3113

Kroger: see above

Publix: see above

Walgreens: 1228 Knox Ave, North Augusta, SC – (803) 279-3279 2744 Washington Rd, Augusta, GA – (706) 733-4277



HospitalsUniversity Health Care System- 1300 Walton Way, (706) 722-9011 http://www.universityhealth.org/

Trinity Hospital of Augusta- 2260 Wrightsboro Road, (706) 481-7000http://www.trinityofaugusta.com/Pages/home.aspx

Georgia Health Sciences Health System- 1120 15th Street, (706) 721-2273 http://www.mcghealth.org/locations-and-maps/GhsuContentPage.aspx?nd=805

Doctor Hospital of Augusta- 3651 Wheeler Road, (706) 651-3232http://www.doctors-hospital.net/

Dental ClinicsGeorgia Health Sciences University College of Dental Medicine- 1430 John Wesley Gilbert Drive, (706) 721-2371

Claeys, Michele DMD- 2920 Professional Parkway, (706) 868-8155http://www.savetheteeth.com/drclaeys/home.asp

Downtown Dental- 1162 Broad Street, (706) 724-0544http://www.drjuanitaadkins.com/

Augusta Affordable Dentures- 1332 Augusta West Parkway, (706) 869-1818http://www.affordabledentures.com/office/augusta

Center for Pediatric Dentistry- 1243 Augusta West Parkway, (706) 855-8989http://www.drleebaker.com/

Small Smiles Dental Center- 1631 Gordon Highway #22, (706) 790-9302

Places of Worship:Christian Baptist – First Baptist Church: http://www.fbcaugusta.org/Methodist – Trinity on the Hill: http://www.trinityonthehill.net/common/content.asp?PAGE=137Catholic – St. Mary’s on the Hill: http://stmaryonthehill.org/mass_times.htmCatholic – Church of the Most Holy Trinity: http://www.themostholytrinity.org/Episcopalian – Church of the Good Shepherd: http://www.goodshepherd-augusta.net



Presbyterian – First Presbyterian: http://www.firstpresaugusta.orgUnitarian – Unitarian Universalist Church of Augusta: http://uuaugusta.org

Hindu – Hindu Temple Society of Augusta: http://www.augustahts.org/index.htmlMuslim – Islamic Society of Augusta: http://www.isaugusta.com

JewishReform – Congregation Children of Israel: http://ga006.urj.netConservative – Adas Yeshurun Synagogue: http://www.adasyeshurun.net/ Orthodox – Chabad of Augusta: http://www.chabadaugusta.org



Afterword

The information collected in this book does not represent the beliefs or opinions of the Georgia Health Sciences University College of Graduate Studies. It was designed by a group of graduate students to provide insight on the multi-facetted aspects of life in graduate school and in Augusta. We hope your transition will be as smooth as ours was. The decision to attend graduate school requires the willingness to make a new home and reorganize your life. Whether this means relocating your entire family, or just a desk and some old notes, we hope this book has opened your eyes to what GHSU and Augusta have to offer.

Congratulations again on your acceptance to the GHSU College of Graduate Studies. While it’s a long road, just be sure that you always remember the dreams and desires that brought you here in the first place…

Sincerely,

The Editors
