One of the first things I did when I accepted Chancellor Erroll B. Davis' offer to become the interim president of the Medical College of Georgia was to learn about what makes this institution great.

Perhaps you've heard the numbers that reflect MCG's growth under former President Daniel W. Rahn's leadership -- a 48-percent increase in applicants, a 25-percent increase in enrollment, and a 21-percent increase in graduates.

MCG also posted a remarkable 146-percent increase in funding for research -- dollars that federal and other external agencies award MCG to support our important work in cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity, and many other diseases and conditions that negatively impact the health and well-being of Georgians.

We are sustaining this impressive upward trend even as the state is tightening its budget and reducing financial support to state agencies -- Georgia's colleges and universities among them. For example, MCG enrollment rose 3 percent this fall and our first-quarter research report shows a 6-percent increase in funding over last year.

Our partners at MCGHealth Inc., the not-for-profit entity that administers the MCG Medical Center, also have posted impressive performance gains and received national accolades for their work in patient- and family-centered care, an initiative that has contributed to a notable rise in patient satisfaction. Clearly, both entities have demonstrated records of success and solid foundations, key strengths as we collaboratively face the transition in leadership at MCG and MCGHealth Inc., and work to recruit the best possible candidates for these critical positions.

BUT WHAT I'VE FOUND during my first month at MCG is much more impressive than positive data. I've found a community of teachers, healers and discoverers -- of administrators, faculty, staff and students -- all focused on MCG's very important mission of better health. What I've also found on campus, in Augusta, and in my initial travels across this state is a palpable energy and enthusiasm about this university's future and recognition of Augusta as the health-care hub of the state.

I believe that Augustans recognize the value MCG brings to this city, but we should not overlook the fact that this academic health center is not only a local and state resource but also a national treasure.

I know Dr. Rahn was fond of using nautical metaphors during his presidency, so I'll use one as well to summarize my primary goal as interim president: Stay the course. I am very focused on keeping MCG on its current path -- its upward trajectory. My role, however, is not simply one of placeholder; and my commitment to forward motion doesn't mean that Georgia's health sciences university is on auto-pilot.

Last month, we broke ground on a nearly 270,000-square-foot facility to house MCG's School of Dentistry, with the ultimate goal of improving access to care for underserved Georgians by increasing the state's dental workforce. Georgia has 41.4 dentists per 100,000 citizens, considerably fewer than the nationwide ratio of 54.3 per 100,000. We simply must increase the capacity of Georgia's only dental school if we are to continue to meet the growing need for oral health providers. We eagerly anticipate welcoming a larger freshman dental class to the new building in 2011.

In addition to expanding capacity in MCG's School of Dentistry, we're also growing our School of Medicine. The 2009 freshman medical school class of 190 students -- already one of the largest class sizes in the nation -- will increase by 60 percent over the next dozen years to a total class size of 1,200. The School of Medicine will admit 230 students in fall 2010, which will include the first 40 students at the new, four-year Medical College of Georgia/University of Georgia Medical Partnership Campus in Athens.

THESE EXCITING expansion efforts will do much to ensure that Georgia has enough health professionals to meet the state's needs.

When Dr. Rahn delivered MCG's State of the University Address this past September, he talked at length about how history is a great humbler:

"As I think about MCG's upward trajectory over the past eight years, I know that much of what we've accomplished is, as Sir Isaac Newton said, because we've stood on the shoulders of giants. I hope that 181 years from now whoever is standing here will value and appreciate what we've done ... and what you'll continue to do ... as stewards of the Medical College of Georgia and its very important mission."

I am now a link in the chain of MCG leadership. My contributions as interim president will build on Dr. Rahn's significant efforts and the efforts of all who came before him. While Dr. Rahn presided over the groundbreaking for the new School of Dentistry building, I'll see the first brick put in place. But it is my successor -- MCG's next president -- who will cut the ribbon on this important new facility.

Clearly, MCG's good work is a collective effort -- and not simply of its presidents, but of its dedicated and talented faculty and staff as well.

MCG and MCGHealth Inc. have important decisions to make in the months ahead. We have presidential seats to fill and, with that, comes the opportunity to become more collaborative, more aligned and more integrated so that we can better serve Georgia and the people who call this great state home.