Meet Our New Governor
Congratulations to the Georgia Chapter Governor, G. Waldon Garriss III, MD, MACP. As Governor, Dr. Garris will serve as the official representative of the College for the Georgia Chapter, providing a link between members at the local level and leadership at the national level. To learn more about the G. Waldon Garriss III, read his bio below.
G. Waldon Garriss, III, MD, MACP
Education: BS, Bio Ed, Asbury College; MS Physiology/Biophysics, University of Kentucky; MS Epidemiology, UVA; MD UNC Chapel Hill; MBA, MHA GSU
Post Doctoral Training: Internship/Residency, Medicine-Pediatrics, Vanderbilt; Fellowship, Gen Med, UVA
Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, 1998, 2008; American Board of Pediatrics - 1997, 2004, 2014
Present Position: Physician and IM Residency Program Director, WellStar Kennestone Regional Medical Center, Marietta, GA
ACP Chapter Involvement and Leadership Activities: Presenter, Georgia ACP Faculty Development Pre-course: “Developing Educational Goals and Objectives;” Chapter annual meeting 2016; Pre-Course Planning Committee 2016; Moderator, Resident Jeopardy Program 2012-2016; Co-Facilitator, Medical Student Jeopardy Program 2011-2016; Participant, ACP Day at the State Capitol 2015-2017; Recipient, J. Willis Hurst Outstanding Bedside Teacher Award 2015; Member, Membership Committee since 2014; Member, Program Committee 2014; Speaker, Tennessee ACP annual meeting, Managing Cardiometabolic Risk throughout the Lifetime of the Young Patient 2013; Presenter, Chapter Annual Meeting, Leadership Enhancement and Development (LEAD) Program 2013
ACP National Activities: Master 2015; Fellowship 2004; Recipient, Leadership Enhancement and Development (LEAD) Certificate 2013
Other Appointments/Activities: Member, National Board of Medical Examiners/USMLE Step 3 Clinical Case Simulation Committees; Scoring Committee since 2011; Scripting Committee since 2015; Chair, WellStar Health System ACO Quality and Operations Committee since 2014; Member, WellStar Internal Medicine Cabinet since 2013; Member, WellStar Accountable Care Organization Board of Managers since 2012; Member, Graduate Medical Education Committee since 2013; Member, WellStar IPA Board of Managers 2013-2015
Areas of Professional Interest and Expertise: Medical Education, including UME, GME, and CME; Quality Improvement/Patient Safety; Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases/Health Disparities
Candidate Statement:
I am proud of Georgia’s vibrant chapter of the ACP. The recent Evergreen Award is evidence of the vitality of internal medicine in the State. As Governor, the first task would be to continue our tradition of excellence. However, I am struck by the incredible burden of chronic disease and ravaging impact of Georgia’s health disparities. Many factors contribute to these problems. Yet, our Chapter has the potential to be a prime force to address these problems. As a physician and medical educator with a background in epidemiology and interest in chronic illnesses, I know increased physician involvement in the College, use of ACP resources, professional development, networking, and joint advocacy efforts have the potential to help every internist and numerous patients throughout the State. My goal would be to increase chapter involvement, promotion of physicians in the College, and advocate, collectively, for the health of the citizens of Georgia.