Don't Miss a Beat Employee Newsletter - January 17, 2023

Leadership Update: Chi-Joan How, MD, named Clinical Chief of Hematology

Chi-Joan “Joan” How, MD, who, since August of 2021, has served as an associate physician in the Brigham and Women’s Division of Hematology seeing patients here on the BWFH campus, has been named Clinical Chief of Hematology at Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital. Read more.

R&R Rounds help ICU staff process challenging patient care situations

At Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital, staff have long had access to Ethics Consults, Schwartz Rounds, Social Work and Spiritual Care Services to help cope with the stresses of their work. Now, a new program in the ICU is offering a unique approach to support staff when faced with challenging patient care situations. Read more.

Social worker receives I CARE Award

Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital’s I CARE Award recognizes staff members from all areas of the hospital who go above and beyond their regular job responsibilities to make BWFH a great place to work and receive care. Social worker Jacqueline Garza, LICSW, MEd, was a recent recipient of an I CARE Award. Read more.

Stay a step ahead of the predators and avoid being a victim of fraud

The idea of being taken advantage of and losing money, control of your identity or devices is daunting. The predators are clever, opportunistic and persistent, and are always looking for new ways to invade our lives. Even those who are tech-savvy have been tricked by scammers who make their schemes seem very legitimate. In this Ask the Expert EAP new feature, Dan Coleman, Senior Investigator for MGH Police and Security, provides guidance on how you can protect yourself and your loved ones, and limit negative impacts if your personal information is compromised

Cafeteria payroll deduction disruption

You may have noticed your cafeteria payroll deduction was not taken from your paycheck last week. This was due to an error in processing. This week, you will see last week’s deduction and this week’s deduction taken from your paycheck to correct the issue. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Introducing Mass General Brigham Health Plan

It’s official! Mass General Brigham Health Plan, formerly known as AllWays Health Partners, launched its new brand on January 1.

You may have already started to see the Mass General Brigham Health Plan name as part of a comprehensive brand awareness campaign. In addition, members of our employee health plans have also received new, branded member ID cards. 

Watch this video and visit massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org to experience the new brand and learn more about our integrated solutions—including our new Medicare Advantage products that are being offered by Mass General Brigham Health Plan beginning this month.

Review your assigned annual training courses in HealthStream

Please take a moment to review the courses that have been assigned to you as part of annual training. Assigned courses are in HealthStream, and to ensure that each employee receives a customized training package relevant to their role, some assignments have been refined. Annual training is designed to keep employees up to date on Mass General Brigham’s policies and procedures and to demonstrate our commitment to education, ensuring all employees have the information they need to perform their work.

All Mass General Brigham employees must complete their training package by Saturday, April 15.

Increase to mileage reimbursement rate for 2023

The Internal Revenue Service announced an increase in the standard mileage reimbursement rate, from 62.5 cents per mile to 65.5 cents per mile as of January 1. This rate has been entered into PeopleSoft and will be used to calculate reimbursable costs for business travel across Mass General Brigham. For more information about travel and expense reimbursement, please visit The Pulse.

Helping employees, families connect with behavioral healthcare

The new Mental Health Connections (MHC) clinical assessment service helps connect Mass General Brigham employees, their spouses, partners and dependents with the most appropriate and accessible behavioral health treatment, both within and outside Mass General Brigham. Employees do not need to be enrolled in a Mass General Brigham health plan to use this service. 

This program has already served nearly 300 employees and their family members. The goal for MHC is to create a low-barrier central pathway to inquire about the wide range of resources that exist and work with a clinician to determine treatment needs and preferences. To learn more, email MHC. You will receive a response within three business days.

In addition, a Stress Management Support Group is being formed to provide education and support to help employees manage their stressors more effectively. View the flyer to learn more and sign up to participate.

TIP: Don’t be lax, secure your fax 

Did you know that faxing is the least secure method of sending information electronically? Do you know where to find the Mass General Brigham approved fax cover sheet? Learn the answers to these questions and how to protect your fax transmissions on The Pulse. For more information, contact your Information Security Officer or Privacy Officer. 

New! Live chat with a Digital Service Desk agent

Mass General Brigham employees are now able to initiate a live chat with the Digital Service Desk using InfoBot. This feature serves as an additional way to resolve issues. Chat service is currently offered Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5 pm EST with plans for expanded coverage in the future. For immediate assistance with a high priority issue outside of chat service hours, users will need to contact the Digital Service Desk at 857-282-HELP (4357). Learn how to initiate a live chat.

QUEST Award Program - improvement stories due January 31

Quality, Equity, Safety and Transparency. The QUEST Award Program recognizes clinical areas for outstanding efforts in quality of care, patient experience and harm prevention. Clinical teams from the inpatient units and Emergency Department at both Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital are invited to submit their one-slide improvement story focused on CAUTI, CLABSI, Falls, HAPI, Hand Hygiene or Patient Experience by Tuesday, January 31. A committee of reviewers at BWFH/BWH will evaluate each submission for improvement in outcome or process, level of collaboration and its equity-informed lens. The 2022 winner of the QUEST Award will be announced later this winter. To submit your improvement story, download this template and return it to Director of Infection Control, Clinical Compliance and Patient Safety Andrea Shellman, MHSA, CPPS.

BWFH Nursing Awards - nominations accepted through February 17

Each year, during National Nurses Week, Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital celebrates its nurses with awards recognizing excellence in critical thinking, commitment to patient teaching, continuing education, outstanding delivery of patient- and family-centered care with compassion and dignity and evidence-based practice, as well as the contributions of our support staff. Do you have a coworker who deserves one of these awards? To submit a nomination, click here. Nominations will be accepted through February 17.

Back to Basics: Better Writing in 8 Weeks - next session starts January 24

Does your email communication need improvement? Do you want to learn how to edit your own writing? In Back to Basics: Better Writing in 8 Weeks, you’ll learn how to avoid common grammar and punctuation errors, edit and correct mistakes in writing, create clear and concise emails, use professional language and formatting and respond appropriately to emails received.

Winter Session (January 24 to March 16)
Tuesdays and Thursdays
5:30 to 7 pm
Limited availability

Spring Session (April 3 to June 15)
Tuesdays and Thursdays
5:30 to 7 pm                                        

All classes are held remotely over Zoom. Visit AskmyHR or contact Stephanie LaShoto-Westfield, Mass General Brigham Workforce Development Specialist, for more information and to register.

Basics of Excel - January 24

Join Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital’s Emerging Leaders Committee on Tuesday, January 24, from 12 noon to 1 pm in the 4 North Computer Training Room for a workshop on the Basics of Excel. All are welcome to attend. To register, email Katie Plante. Space is limited, so reserve your spot today!

January Freeze Ice Cream Social - January 25

Celebrate the winter freeze with ice cream! As a thank you to all our staff, Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital’s Rewards and Recognition Committee invites all staff members to an ice cream social. Join us in the cafeteria on Wednesday, January 25, from 2:30 to 4 pm.

Mass General Brigham United Against Racism Town Hall - January 25

Join the Town Hall on Wednesday, January 25, from 3 to 4 pm that will feature a panel of Mass General Brigham leaders who will discuss our United Against Racism commitment and systemwide effort to confront the impacts of racism within our organization and throughout our collective community. Moderated by Elsie Tavares, MD, MPH, Chief Community Health Equity Officer, the panel will reflect on our shared progress and ongoing work to combat racism, foster more equitable healthcare delivery and build a workplace that advances racial equity. Click “Join” on this calendar item to add the Town Hall to your calendar. On January 25 at 3 pm, access the Town Hall livestream.

Leadership Q&A with Linda Burgoon - February 2

Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital’s Emerging Leaders Committee invites you to attend a Q&A with Senior Director of Strategic Implementation, Ambulatory and Clinical Program Development Linda Burgoon on Thursday, February 2, from 12 noon to 1 pm. Linda will discuss her background, education and career steps, and offer advice and insight into a career in healthcare to any early careerists. To register for the Teams session, email Katie Plante.