News 12 First at Five / Friday, February 18, 2011

AUGUSTA, Ga.---You can't miss them when you go to the doctor or read magazines. Many medical illustrations start right here in Augusta at Georgia Health Sciences University.

"When I said I wanted to be an art major, my dad just hung his head," said student Delia Dykes with a smile.

Delia was preparing to become a medical illustrationist. That career path was received much better by her parents.

"It is a more professional application of art," said Delia.

"They do surgical pieces," noted associate professor Bill Andrews. "They do pieces for use in the courtroom."

"In my view they are kind of unsung heroes," said Dr. Ed Inscho, dean of the school of graduate studies. "They really are pretty much behind the scenes all the time."

More than 300 alumni are represented in almost every state in the union except Maine, the Dakotas, and Alaska.

"Obviously most people don't know a medical illustrationist and probably never will," said Dr. Inscho. "But these people are extremely devoted to the profession. This is something they are not doing for self gratification or fame."

"Everyone is touched by it," said Delia. "But very few people ever actually pay attention and appreciate it. As soon as you start talking about it and say your poster is in a text book or in a doctor's office, everyone's like, oh yeah."

"This is a serious thing," said Delia. "I'm not going to move to New York and be starving."

GHSU has one of four programs in the country. A local student took home a national honor. He received the Orville Parks award for his medical illustrations.