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Medical Faculty Member Available to Discuss Breast Cancer
Women with breast cancer are living longer, thanks in part to the increase of early
detection, which has resulted in 97 percent of all new cancer diagnoses being Stage I, according to a Mercer School of Medicine faculty member.
William F. Bina, M.D., M.P.H., has several recommendations for early detection and screening, including a mammogram every year, beginning
at age 40, for normal risk women; a clinical breast exam at least every three years, beginning at age 20 and annually from age 40, for normal
risk women; and a monthly breast self-exam beginning at age 20. Bina says it is important for each woman to know her own risk factors –
those she can and cannot control. Bina urges women not to allow money to be an excuse for missing a needed mammogram in Central Georgia –
all women can get this procedure done and paid for through their insurance plans, local public health departments or the Central Georgia Cancer
Coalition (478.994.1914). Bina holds a B.S. in nuclear science from the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., a M.D. degree from the University of
Nebraska in Omaha, and a master's of public health degree at Johns Hopkins University. He is a primary care liaison for the Susan G. Komen Breast
Cancer Foundation's Central Georgia Affiliate.
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Former Prosecutor to Offer His Take on 'Trials of the Century'
An effective closing argument can seal a defendant's fate and a Mercer lecture series will
offer a chance to review the prosecutions' arguments in two high-profile cases: the trials of Charles Manson and O.J. Simpson. Former district
attorney Charles Weston Jr., now a senior lecturer in Criminal Justice at Mercer University, will present "Trials of the Century," a series
of two lectures on Weston's interpretation and representation of the prosecution's closing arguments in each case. The first presentation, which
will be on the trial of Charles Manson, will be at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 25. The second, focusing on the trial of O.J. Simpson, will begin
at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 1. Both lectures will be held in Room 110 of the McCorkle Music Building on Mercer's Macon campus. Weston had a
31-year career as a state prosecutor, including seven years as the chief prosecutor in the Macon Judicial Circuit. The events are sponsored by Alpha
Kappa Delta and Mercer's William Fielding Ogburn Department of Sociology.
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Noted Economist Arthur Laffer to Speak in Macon, Atlanta
Arthur B. Laffer, Ph.D., noted economist and chairman of Laffer Associates, will be the
featured speaker at The Executive Forum of Mercer University next week. Laffer's economic acumen and influence in triggering a worldwide tax-cutting
movement in the 1980s earned him the distinction in many national and international publications as "The Father of Supply-Side Economics." He continues
his groundbreaking work today in shaping economic thought and policy with the company he founded, Laffer Associates, an economic consulting firm. On
Tuesday, Oct. 24, he will give a dinner presentation at 6:30 p.m. at The University Center on Mercer's Macon campus, then on Wednesday, Oct. 25, he will
give a lunch presentation at noon at The Capital City Club in downtown Atlanta.
Story for Atlanta
Story for Macon
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Archaeologist to Recount His Experience Working with Explorer Heyerdahl
Daniel Sandweiss, Ph.D., an archaeologist and author researching the link between climate
change and prehistoric cultures, will give the Inaugural Sigma Xi Distinguished Lecture at Mercer University at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 25, on Mercer's
Macon campus. Sandweiss will give a lecture entitled "Explorations with Thor Heyerdahl: Peruvian Pyramids and a Cuban Connection," about the
legendary explorer and scientist's work in Peru and later in Cuba. The event will be held in the Charles H. Andrews Classroom, Room 251 of Stetson Hall. The
lecture is free and open to the public and will be preceded by a reception at 6 p.m. A well-known archeologist, Sandweiss serves as professor of Anthropology
and Quaternary and Climate Studies and dean and associate provost for Graduate Studies at the University of Maine. He directed excavations for three years at
Túcume, Peru's largest pyramid center as part of a project coordinated by Norwegian explorer and scientist Thor Heyerdahl, best known for his expedition
to cross the Pacific aboard the balsa wood raft, Kon-Tiki in 1947. In 1995, Sandweiss co-authored a book with Heyerdahl about the pyramids, The Pyramids of
Túcume: The Quest for Peru's Forgotten City.
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Medical Student Earns Commendation from President Bush
Mercer second-year medical student Melissa Rosa, right, meets with President Bush on the runway at
Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins to receive an award for community service from the President.
Photo courtesy of Robins Air Force Base.
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President Bush honored Mercer University medical student
Melissa Rosa during a recent visit to Central Georgia. Rosa is the reigning Miss Macon scholarship winner and spokeswoman for Hands On Macon, which
encourages volunteer efforts in the community.
Rosa, a second-year medical student, is a native of Warner Robins. She is also a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force, with the rank of second lieutenant on reserve status until
the completion of her medical training. |
"I was honored not only to receive this award, but also to have the opportunity to meet the President
of the United States," Rosa said. "That day will certainly be a cherished memory and a highlight of my achievements. President Bush thanked me for my service
and encouraged my efforts by assuring me that I was making a difference in my community. Through my service, I will continue to gain my true reward in volunteerism
by helping others."
President Bush presented Rosa with the President's Volunteer Service Award when he arrived at Robins Air
Force Base on Oct. 10. The President gives the award, called a USA Freedom Corps Greeter, when he travels throughout the United States.
According to a release from the White House, the award is meant to honor Rosa's commitment to making a
difference in the lives of others. Since her crowning as Miss Macon in January 2006, Rosa has been promoting her pageant platform, "A Call to Service: Encouraging
Youth Volunteerism," as the spokeswoman for Hands On Macon.
Hands On Macon is an affiliate of Hands On Georgia, a statewide network that encourages Georgians to make
a difference in their communities through volunteer service and engaged citizenship. Rosa promotes youth volunteer service through speaking engagements at schools
and community events.
The commitment to volunteerism is close to Rosa's heart and represents more than the platform for her reign
as Miss Macon. Throughout high school and college, Rosa has been an active volunteer with community organizations, including the Athens (Ga.,) American Red Cross
and Habitat for Humanity. She implemented a Girl Scout program in two middle schools in Athens and volunteered for one year at the Houston County Volunteer Clinic in Warner Robins.
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