Augusta, GA

Match Day 2024: MCG students learn their residency sites

Published

4 months ago

March 18, 2024

Match Day 2024: MCG students learn their residency sites

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) – Dozens of students from the Medical College of Georgia found out where they are going for their residency on Friday.

For some, it’s the start of a dream come true, and for others, it’s a full-circle moment.

“I am so excited,” said one student.

This white envelope may not mean much to you.

But for 244 fourth-year medical students at the Medical College of Georgia, “I’m feeling great. It’s Match Day,” said one student.

The envelope marks a long-standing tradition. One with a costume and the key to unlock their medical future.

“It’s so nerve racking, but I am so amazed by this school and this campus and they prepared me for this,” said the student.

For some, match day marks a dream come true, but for others like David Wolff, it’s a full-circle moment.

“When I started medical school, I thought I wanted to be an ophthalmologist. I had an eye injury as a kid, that’s taken a lot of vision out of my left eye,” he said.

Wolff says he was on a dove hunt with his father and several others when he caught a pellet to the left eye.

After seeing the impact his dad, who was also a doctor, made on their community, Wolff says his future was a no-brainer.

“He did pulmonology, critical care and sleep medicine. That was a huge influence in my life, seeing what it looks like to be a physician and what that commitment means. That was something that I really want to try and emulate in my life,” said Wolff.

For the class of 2024, medical school came with a lot of ups and downs due to COVID, but for Wolff, he gained a wife and lost his father after his battle with cancer.

“He passed, and my third year of medical school. I was actually on an ophthalmology rotation at a time and there were a few things that really impacted me kind of within the hospital and being home. But I came back shortly after his funeral and went back to working in a hospital,” said Wolff.

But Wolff says he feels his father the most being in the hospital. And as of Friday at 12 p.m., that’s exactly where he will be.

“I love you. I am so proud of you, and your dad is too,” said Wolff’s mom.

MCG says as of Match Day, 100% of their graduates have a residency position.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta program provides resources to parents, students

Published

5 hours ago

July 27, 2024

Press Room

Augusta program provides resources to parents, students

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.

School supplies needed at Murphy-Harpst Evolve Initiative

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.

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Augusta, GA

Cold case solved: Suspect arrested in 2019 Augusta slaying

Published

12 hours ago

July 26, 2024

Press Room

Cold case solved: Suspect arrested in 2019 Augusta slaying

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.

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Augusta, GA

Complete this survey to create a more climate resilient Augusta

Published

19 hours ago

July 26, 2024

Press Room

Complete this survey to create a more climate resilient Augusta

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.

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