Raft Debate set for April 14

The fate of a cardiologist, a surgeon and a pediatrician is in the hands of students at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. All three are aboard a sinking ship, and their only escape is a one-person raft. Who should be saved?

Representatives from the MCG Departments of Medicine, Pediatrics and Surgery will try to sway MCG students during this hypothetical debate at the 15th annual Raft Debate at 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 14, in the J. Harold Harrison, M.D. Education Commons.

Hosted by the MCG Alumni Association, representatives will debate which specialty is most important and would help the most people if saved.

Physicians aboard the ship include Dr. Emily Masoumy, a neonatology fellow in the Department of Pediatrics; Dr. Drew Prosser, a 2008 graduate of the medical school, pediatric otolaryngologist and assistant professor in the Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery; and Dr. Sean Javaheri, a cardiologist and associate professor in the Department of Medicine.  Dr. Brooks Keel, Augusta University president and CEO of AU Health, also a 1982 graduate of the university, will moderate the debate. Dr. Helena Spartz, assistant professor of Pathology, will serve as devil’s advocate.

The program was initiated in 2003 by Dr. Paul Dainer, associate professor of medicine, and Dr. Elizabeth Holt, MCG Class of 2005. Dainer had seen a similar format pitting a social scientist, natural scientist and humanities professor, while earning his undergraduate degree at the College of William & Mary. After arriving at MCG, he wanted medical students to enjoy a similar experience.

For more information about the event, contact the MCG Office of Alumni Affairs, 706-723-0140.