Augusta, GA
$40,000 presented to newly graduated physician assistant at AU
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The $40,000 John F. Beard Award at Augusta University has been presented to a graduate who’s described as a compassionate caregiver who puts patients first.
The honor went to Kendrick De Castro at AU’s May 9 commencement ceremony.
“Kendrick anticipates patients’ needs and goes above and beyond to make their medical care as comfortable as possible. He shows sincere care and interest, and holds the patient as the priority,” said Melania Velasquez, a physician assistant at Wellstar MCG Health who taught De Castro and worked alongside him during his OB/GYN rotation.
The $40,000 Beard Award, funded by philanthropists William Porter “Billy” Payne and his wife, Martha, is presented annually to a graduating College of Allied Health Sciences, Medical College of Georgia, College of Nursing or Graduate School student who exemplifies caring and compassion in health care.
“Kendrick’s friendly, genuine bedside manner has earned him the adoration of many patients, and his professional and caring connection to patients has eased patient reservations and also comforted children through traumatic procedures,” said Elizabeth Prince-Coleman, program director and assistant professor in the Physician Assistant Department in the College of Allied Health Sciences. “He goes beyond the expectations of a student in clinical services, offering help with patient transport; ensuring routine care like IV removal does not interfere with quality-of-life needs such as meal time; and writing down medication names for patients – unsolicited – to help them navigate the pharmacy.”
De Castro, who is from the metro Atlanta area, earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Georgia State University before coming to AU. He is a licensed pharmacy technician and is proficient in English, Spanish and Tagolog, a Filipino language.
“Kendrick works diligently with the student volunteer clinics to serve populations often marginalized in our society and health care system. He works to understand the challenges patients face not only with medical symptoms, but also the barriers to better health from other aspects of their lives,” said Prince-Coleman.
De Castro can often be found volunteering at those clinics, including the Equality Clinic, Faithcare Clinic and Clı́nica Latina.
“Kendrick’s actions and interactions with patients reflect a genuine concern for their physical, social and emotional well-being,” said Tiana Brown, Clinica Latina coordinator. “He has a unique gift for making patients feel heard and valued in the medical decision-making process, and he connects with them on a personal level.”
Beyond his interactions with patients, De Castro has created a culture of care and compassion among his cohort.
“Kendrick emerged as the light and the compass of our class,” said classmate Ellie Pontiakos. “He would go out of his way to send uplifting messages each day to the group. He provided positivity and comfort in a period of newness and anxiety.”
Amber A. Garrett, another classmate in the PA program, agreed.
“From the start, Kendrick embodied extraordinary character, marked by authenticity, compassion and kindness. Within the first week of knowing him, our cohort made the unanimous decision to appoint him as our class president, a role he has embraced with unwavering dedication,” Garrett said.
As class president, De Castro served as the liaison between faculty and his classmates and provided support to his cohort. From his daily messages to his ability to relate to anyone, De Castro has been a pillar of support for his patients and classmates alike.
“His ability to prioritize the needs of others above his own, even in the midst of adversity, speaks volumes about his character and commitment to compassionate service,” said Amanda Breeden, an assistant professor and De Castro’s academic adviser.
“Kendrick will be a great blessing to his future patients, not only in the care and compassion he provides directly to them, but also in the care and compassion I know he will invest in the entire team around him,” said Prince-Coleman, who was recognized with the Beard award in 2015.
The Beard Award was established in 1998 by Payne, the immediate past chairman of the Augusta National Golf Club, in memory of his father-in-law, who died of cancer in 1997. The award honors President Emeritus Francis J. Tedesco, MD, and Beard’s physician, Mark F. Williams, MD, a 1988 MCG graduate who treated Beard during his hospitalization.
This is the second consecutive year that a graduate in the College of Allied Health Sciences has earned this prestigious recognition.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – We are less than 10 days away from another school year in Richmond and Columbia counties, and parents getting prepared.
But it can be hard on your wallet.
On Friday, “Living in Purpose” helped with more than just school supplies.
Hundreds of families had a good time while stocking up on school supplies over at the purpose center. Organizers say they went through all 100 of their backpacks within an hour.
But many families and incoming students say Friday today was more than just a handout.
Families took advantage of free backpacks, haircuts and shoe raffles ahead of the new school year.
Event leaders say Friday really shows the growing need for families when it comes to school supplies.
“I mean, the way that it’s looking right now, I probably needed 200 book bags. The goal is for us to target the kids’ right hand to direct the community. But we have kids coming from all over the community because there is such a great need,” said Kamilah Freeman, executive administrator for “Living in Purpose”.
Organizers say it’s really about the resources they’re trying to bring to the at-risk youth in the community.
“We are targeting youth to prevent them from going through things in life teaching them about integrity, purpose character, helping them to know that they have a purpose in life and to be all that they can be,” said Freeman.
Along with free supplies, they’re offering mentorship and after-school programs to families for their kids to get involved in.
Joshua Hawthorne says he’s a product of that, and it’s motivating him to reach for places he never dreamed of before.
“I got between sort of three choices right now that I want to go to. Kelsey, JSU or Talladega,” he said.
It’s a community effort to remind the next generation what they’re capable of.
Freeman said: “It is so rewarding to me because I see them when they come in and I see them as they’re progressing. I see their heads going from down to being lifted up I see their chest coming up. I see smiles on their face and they are gaining hope and I love it”
With the start of the new school year for Richmond County, “Living in Purpose” will resume its after-school programs for kids to get assistance with homework and other essential needs.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a suspect in connection with a 2019 murder.
On Dec. 30, 2019, at 4:47 am., the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office responded to 2106 Bayvale Road to investigate the murder of Dwayne Lane, 52.
The case had remained in a cold case status until Friday.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division was able to find and interview original witnesses as well as new witnesses.
As a result, investigators were able to arrest Willie Ferrell, 42, in connection with the killing.
Ferrell was booked into the Charles B. Webster Detention Center.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The University of Georgia is seeking the public’s help in creating more climate resilience in Augusta.
The project aims to address the impacts of climate change in vulnerable and underserved communities in Georgia.
The team consists of a group of climate scientists from UGA, who are partnering with the Georgia Climate Project (GCP), Greater Augusta’s Interfaith Coalition (GAIC) and Black Voters Matter (BVM).
“We noticed there is a lot of resilience work going on around Atlanta and the coast, but there is this big swath in the middle of Georgia that is not getting a lot of attention,” said Dr. Patricia Yager. “A lot of folks are being impacted but not getting resources. So, UGA and the Georgia Climate Project asked around to see who was interested and we got a lot of enthusiasm from the Augusta community. This is hoping to be a model effort for other communities across the state.”
The team will help provide climate risk information to underserved communities in Augusta.
The project will also offer guidance and resources for making good decisions to respond to extreme weather.
Resilient solutions include:
- Designing infrastructure to direct water to planted areas can reduce flooding.
- Electric public transportation can reduce emissions that worsen air quality.
- Increasing green spaces in the city, like installing green roofs, can reduce urban heat.
The project team says their goal is to “listen to Augusta residents, interpret Augusta-specific climate science data and identify solutions to help Augusta residents cope with extreme weather.”
To complete the survey, visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe7PTfE8WIx1O-NRBrCjn2ujh_KhmW66_Rhn7dEg9FuOEggNQ/viewform.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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