Augusta University Medical Illustration Graduate Program

Congratulations, Seniors! On the afternoon of Friday, September 4th, the talented and indomitable Class of 2021 received their white coats! This important rite of passage marks the beginning of their senior year in the Medical Illustration Graduate Program at Augusta University. As juniors, they completed their basic training in the biomedical sciences and in media techniquesall amid the turmoil of the Covid19 pandemic. Their senior year will focus on mastery of visual storytelling and problem-solving. They will be demonstrating just what they are capable of accomplishing via our unique Comprehensive Exam, participation in the Student Medical Illustration Service, and the Master's Project. They're going to crush it!

OUTSTANDING ALUMNUS The Dept. of Medical Illustration is delighted to announce that William C. Kip Carter is the 2020 recipient of the Robert C. Benassi Outstanding Alumni Award. Kip is a member of the Class of ‘82. After graduation from the Medical College of Georgia, Kip went to work as in Educational Resources, College of Veterinary Medicine, UGA. He quickly became Chief of Medical illustration Services, a position he still holds. In 2013 - 2014, he served as Interim Di...Continue reading

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS Dean Mitchell Watsky, PhD and The Graduate School are pleased to announce that William B. Westwood is the 2020 recipient of the prestigious Distinguished Alumni Award. Bill is a 1972 graduate of our Medical Illustration Graduate Program. The award is sponsored by the Office of Alumni Engagement. In his remarks, Watsky said, In addition to being an exceptionally accomplished medical artist, he is a renowned leader in his profession. He is a well-respect...ed teacher, mentor and advisor on business issues and artists’ rights. Bill is a dedicated alumnus and supporter of our Dept. of Medical Illustration, serving as an Asst. Adjunct Professor and as a member of the National Advisory Council for the Graduate Program. Through his professional work and service, Mr. Westwood has embodied the values and vision of The Graduate School. I am delighted that we can recognize him through this Distinguished Alumni Award. Congratulations Bill!

Introducing Megan Ward, Class of 2020 Originally from southwestern Virginia, Megan journeyed to Richmond to attend Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). She received a BFA in Communication Arts with a Concentration in Scientific Illustration and Preparatory Medical Illustration. Through her undergraduate interdisciplinary studies of art and biological science, Megan gained a strong interest in the fields of scientific and medical illustration. During junior year at VCU, sh...e took a course that provided collaborative experience of how meaningfully combining art with science can improve an area of medicine. As a small class, multiple projects were generated to create educational simulation models for medical students in practices ranging from dentistry to reconstructive surgery. During the process of creating these devices, they were challenged with learning the specific area of medicine and applying creativity and artistic skill to develop a realistic model to help better teach and prepare medical students during their training. Megan gained valuable new perspectives about the various possibilities and interdisciplinary opportunities that could be explored through medical illustration. Megan has recently completed her Master of Science in Medical illustration degree at Augusta University. She is a member of the Association of Medical Illustrators (AMI) and is studying to earn status as a Certified Medical Illustrator. Megan has had the incredible opportunity to learn from some of the industry’s leaders, as well as have gained exposure to a variety of media ranging from traditional carbon dust to 3D software, such as Cinema 4D. Through her training, she has realized that all aspects must be carefully considered and executed in a highly deliberate manner in order to best fulfill a specific need. Megan has an ever-growing interest in the integrative possibilities of the medical sciences combined with the creative visual communications, and looks forward to a fulfilling career in medical illustration. A video of Megan's presentation of her Master's Project "An Interactive E-Guide to Enhance Learning Abdominal Exam Practices & Technique" is attached. Megan's promotional website can be viewed at: https://www.mwardmedmedia.com/

Introducing Katharine Thompson, Class of 2020 Katharine received her BFA in Communication Arts from Virginia Commonwealth University, in 2018. She has recently completed her Master of Science in Medical Illustration degree at Augusta University. Her artwork has been featured in the Science Museum of Virginia, Environmental Almanac of Virginia, and the Association of Medical Illustrators (AMI) Salon, where she won an Award of Merit.... Katharine is passionate about sparking curiosity in the minds of others. Her experience as an undergraduate teaching assistant for English and Anatomy courses gave her a great appreciation for the process of creating effective teaching tools. Whether an illustration is for a jury, a student, or a patient, the process of creative problem solving to clarify the complex is what drives her. Katharine’s love of learning and of the natural world keeps her mind curious, open, and inspired as she continues to foster her interests and grow as an artist. A video of Katharine's presentation of her Master's Project "An Interactive E-Guide to Enhance Learning Abdominal Examination Practices & Techniques" is attached. Katharine's promotional website can be viewed at: https://www.ktmedmedia.com/

Introducing Victoria Rogers, Class of 2020 Victoria is a medical illustrator from Louisville, Kentucky. She received her MS in Medical Illustration from Augusta University in May of 2020, and is currently pursuing certification in the field. She is an active member of the Association of Medical Illustrators. Prior to studying in Augusta, she received her BA in Visual Studies and her BS in Biology from Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY. Her unique skill set and... background in traditional art and biology allows her to condense complex concepts into informative, educational, and beautiful images. Victoria is fascinated by unusual animals and cell biology. She often finds herself birdwatching and baking award-winning muffins in her spare time. A video of Victoria's presentation of her Master's Project "The Role of PDE5 Inhibitors in the Prevention of Colon Cancer: A Novel Representation" is attached. Victoria's promotional website can be viewed at: https://www.rogersbiomedicalmedia.com/

Introducing Amanda Manowski, Class of 2020 Amanda received a BFA in Scientific Illustration from the University of Georgia in Athens (UGA) in 2018, and this spring received a MS in Medical Illustration from Augusta University. Her early life was split between Alaska, Georgia, and Wisconsin, and travel has inspired her intense interest in the natural world. She was introduced to medical illustration while learning about the scientific illustration department on campus when sh...e was majoring in music performance at UGA. The concept of creating art for the sake of education threw wide open the door to her true interests. Since then, she has never looked back and has found boundless enjoyment in the intricacies of the human body expressed through medical illustration. Her past experiences include creating patient education materials for the Children’s Hospital of Georgia, creating promotional imagery for the UGA Biochemistry department, and working as a part of a team to help design and illustrate a large-scale evolutionary timeline for the Georgia Museum of Natural History. A video of Amanda's presentation of her Master's Project "Interactive iBook-Based Educational Materials on Wound Healing" is attached. Amanda's promotional website can be viewed at: https://www.manowskibiomedical.com/

Introducing Keri Leigh Jones, Class of 2020 Keri is a graduate of the Medical Illustration Graduate Program at the Augusta University. In addition, she received her bachelor’s degree from AU in Cell and Molecular Biology, with a minor in art. During undergraduate and graduate school, she loved being an anatomy lab teaching assistant and tutor, often drawing colorful images on the chalkboard to help the students learn. She continues that love of learning and educating by crea...ting medical imagery for a wide variety of audiences. With a passion for medical and health education, she seeks to improve communication through visualization in the field of medicine to help educators improve teaching materials, researchers present their studies, surgeons document their innovative procedures, and patients understand their diagnoses and treatment. A video of Keri's presentation about her Master's Project "An Interactive iBook on Type II and II Hypersensitivity" is attached. Keri's promotional website can be viewed at: https://www.klbiomedcreations.com/