Don't Miss a Beat Employee Newsletter - February 15, 2022

BWFH celebrates National Cardiac Rehabilitation Week - Through February 19

Each year, during the second full week in February, we celebrate National Cardiac Rehabilitation Week. It’s a time to thank the staff in Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Program for their role in reducing the potentially devastating effects of heart disease. For our patients, rehabilitation is an important step toward recovery after a hospital stay or other heart-related event. To learn more about the program, click here.

Housekeeper 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. Housekeeper Karen Nembhard was a recent recipient of an I CARE Award in recognition of her efforts when a leak occurred recently in the Central Processing Department. Read more.

How building resilience helps you weather adversity

Resilience refers to the ability to rebound from experiences that test our ability to cope and feel a sense of contentment. We all have the capability to be resilient, but sometimes stress can make it harder to access the tools that help us respond. This EAP News Feature draws on the expertise of Psychiatrists Catherine Gonzalez and Nomi Levy-Carrick from Brigham and Women’s Hospital to help you understand how you can build your resilience, even in the face of long-lasting stress and ever-changing circumstances.

No shuttle service Monday, February 21

In honor of the President’s Day holiday, there will be no shuttle services provided on Monday, February 21. Staff are encouraged to make alternate transportation arrangements. For those who wish to drive, your employee ID badge will provide access to the Hillside employee parking garage.

We want to hear from you! Take our Community Health Survey

Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital are conducting a community health assessment to explore what matters most to people in Boston. The purpose of this survey is to hear directly from our community members and our staff. The survey takes approximately 5 to 10 minutes and is completely anonymous. You will have the option at the end of the survey to enter a drawing to win a $100 gift card. Questions? Contact Kelly Washburn. Click here to take the survey.

BWFH Nursing Awards - Last chance to submit a nomination

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 today, February 15.

Free COVID-19 at-home rapid antigen test kits for employees

This week, Mass General Brigham is providing employees with one free, at-home COVID-19 test kit. This kit, which contains two tests, is for you and your family to use, as needed. Please note that these kits are separate from the tests that are mailed to employees as part of our Return-to-Work and Household Exposure policies.

Employees and persons of interest who are eligible to receive the kits will receive a personalized email from antigen-kit-pickup@partners.org tomorrow, Friday, February 11, which will provide pickup details and a personalized QR code. Please present this QR code when picking up your test kit.

Test kits will be available for pick up in the third floor Hillside Lobby at Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital on the following dates and times:

• Wednesday, February 16, 6 to 8 am and 2 to 4 pm
• Thursday, February 17, 2 to 4 pm
• Friday, February 18, 6 to 8 am
• Saturday, February 19, 6 to 8 am
• Sunday, February 20, 2 to 4 pm

Remote employees and employees on a leave of absence can visit the Mass General Brigham site that is most convenient for them. Find a complete list of all Mass General Brigham test kit pickup sites here. This link will be updated as pick-up times and locations are finalized.

Please remember to wear a mask, covering both your nose and mouth, and attest via COVID Pass when picking up your test kit.

Booster compliance notification in COVID Pass

COVID Pass was recently updated to align with the Mass General Brigham COVID-19 vaccine booster shot requirement for all employees. As employees use COVID Pass to complete their daily COVID Pass symptom attestation, they will now be alerted to their booster compliance status. 

• For compliant employees, a banner display will appear at the top of your completed attestation screen to indicate you are compliant with the COVID-19 booster shot policy.
• For non-compliant employees for whom the March 1st deadline DOES apply, an alert will appear that you must acknowledge by clicking a checkbox before continuing to your attestation. You will also be directed to resources to help you meet the requirement.
• For employees for whom March 1st deadline DOES NOT apply, a banner display will appear at the top of your completed attestation screen to indicate why the March 1st deadline for COVID-19 booster shot policy does not apply at this time.

Booster shot clinics at BWFH

To support the decision to require a vaccine booster shot for all Mass General Brigham employees booster shot clinics are being held onsite at BWFH. Staff are encouraged to make an appointment in COVID Pass and bring their employee ID badge with them to their appointments. Some walk-ins will be accommodated. Clinics will take place in the Chapel area on the following dates and times:

• Today! Tuesday, February 15, 2 to 5 pm
• Thursday, February 17, 7 to 10 am
• Tuesday, February 22, 9 am to 1 pm
• Thursday, February 24, 3 to 6 pm

For more information on scheduling your booster shot appointment and ensuring your vaccination is documented appropriately, click here.

Employee COVID-19 testing

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed to COVID-19, please schedule a test on COVID Pass. Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital offers employees asymptomatic testing on site. These tests should also be scheduled on COVID Pass. This week, asymptomatic testing will take place on Wednesday, February 16, 2 to 5 pm in the Mary Ann Tynan Conference Center. Please have your COVID Pass ready when you arrive to your appointment.

Return to Work tips sheets - New translations available

Return to Work tips sheets for employees are now available in Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Chinese, Arabic and Russian.

Women’s Employee Resource Collaborative Town Hall - February 24

Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital’s Women’s Employee Resource Collaborative (WERC) is hosting its first Town Hall on Thursday, February 24, from 3 to 4 pm, in person in the Sadowsky Conference Room and virtually via Zoom. WERC is an employee resource group (ERG). ERGs are voluntary, employee-led groups that serve as a resource for members and organizations by fostering a diverse, inclusive workplace aligned with organizational mission, values, goals and business practices. We invite all interested employees to attend this session to learn more about WERC, how to become a member and contribute ideas for future programming. To learn more, contact bwfhwerc@partners.org or stop by our table outside the cafeteria on February 16 or 22 from 12 noon to 1 pm. To join via Zoom, click here.

Help make a difference in our community: Volunteer with your colleagues at Community Servings - February 24

Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital’s Community Health and Wellness Department is seeking volunteers to help prepare meals for critically ill individuals and their families in our community. Join us on Thursday, February 24, from 4 to 7 pm at Community Servings (179 Amory Street in Jamaica Plain) to peel, chop and package meals for Community Servings’ clients. Volunteers must be 13 years or older, vaccinated against COVID-19 (please have proof of vaccination when you arrive) and register in advance. For more information or to register, contact Katie Plante.