Five doctors from the Medical College of Georgia, a dentist from the Dental College of Georgia, and students from both the College of Nursing and the Dental College of Georgia were featured in a halftime commercial during the football game between Georgia and Georgia Tech on November 28.
The commercial highlighted Augusta University’s focus on education, research, and commitment to improving health outcomes for Georgians. The video introduced several medical professionals and students who contribute to healthcare advancements in the state.
Scott Rahimi, MD, professor in MCG’s Department of Neurosurgery, emphasized the importance of providing high-quality neurosurgical care to local communities. “We shine in providing high-quality neurosurgical care to our community and surrounding underserved counties in Georgia,” said Rahimi. “It is a privilege to work in the operating room, treating patients. We have to be ready to serve patients when they put their trust in us at a critical time.”
Ted Johnson, MD, PhD, professor in Pediatrics and co-director of AU’s Pediatric Immunotherapy Program, discussed clinical trials using immunotherapy for pediatric brain cancer. “The immunotherapy we use is called indoximod and was invented by Dr. David Munn (another MCG alum) here at Augusta University,” Johnson said. “We have written and managed four clinical trials using indoximod-based treatments for patients with incurable pediatric brain cancer over the past 10 years, with more than 250 patients enrolling for treatment at five trial sites in Augusta, Atlanta, Boston, Cincinnati and Houston. We have seen many children respond very well with these new treatments.”
D. Monte Hunter, MD, chair of Orthopaedic Sports Medicine at MCG, leads a large team focused on helping patients regain physical function through surgery and rehabilitation. “It is a privilege to be part of a team that is dedicated to helping patients retain and regain function and physical activity,” said Hunter. “It truly is a team effort that includes athletic trainers, primary care sports medicine providers, the surgical team and the post-operative physical therapy rehabilitation specialists. All play equally important critical roles in helping patients attain their goals. This team approach is one of the key factors that attracted me to this specialty.”
Sherita King, MD, director of sexual medicine and prosthetics at MCG’s Department of Urology, described her work as bridging physical health with psychological well-being for her patients. “Being a champion for this work means advocating for patients whose concerns are often stigmatized or overlooked, ensuring they receive compassionate, evidence-based care,” said King. “It also means advancing the field – through innovation, education, and mentorship – so that life-changing outcomes become accessible to more people. Helping patients regain parts of themselves they thought were lost is a privilege, and it’s what makes this work profoundly special.”
Greg Griffin, DMD, associate dean for student affairs at DCG and leader of its Clerkship program placing dental students in public health clinics statewide, spoke about expanding access to dental care: “One of my greatest goals is to inspire the next generation of dentists to share my commitment to improving access to care,” said Griffin. “Bringing quality oral health services to rural areas doesn’t just treat teeth; it transforms lives. The impact is profound and deeply rewarding. The education I received from the Dental College of Georgia empowered me to serve thousands of Georgians… Together we can ensure they go out and do extraordinary things for our profession and for the communities that need us most.”
Renee Hilton-Rowe, MD serves as section chief within MCG’s Department of Surgery as well as director at Wellstar MCG Health’s Center of Obesity and Metabolism.
Students featured included Ariana Harmon (MSN Class President), Kinya Williams (MSN Class President), Gloriahna Roberson (BSN Class President), Carter Shelton (DCG), Colton Villa (DCG).
The commercial also told Coale Peace’s story—a seven-year-old born with osteogenesis imperfecta type III—who has been supported by Wellstar Children’s Hospital of Georgia since birth through surgeries performed by Corey Bryan MD (an MCG graduate) along with ongoing therapies.
The halftime spot underscored Augusta University’s role as home to Georgia’s flagship medical school as well as its only dental school while highlighting efforts by its faculty members and students toward advancing healthcare throughout Georgia.
