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Spring is upon us and with it comes many national and religious holidays—all of which are a cause to celebrate. With help from the registered dietitians with the Center for Weight Management and Wellness at BWFH, you can feast with friends and family on traditional and local fare and still be conscious of your health.
Andrea Shellman, MHSA, CPPS, who has been serving as the Interim Director of Infection Control, Clinical Compliance and Patient Safety at Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital for several months, has been the named permanent Director.
Town Hall with BWFH President David McCready - April 15
Join us on Friday, April 15, at 12 noon in Huvos Auditorium for a hospital-wide forum where hospital leadership will share important COVID-19 updates, information about FY23 budget planning, investments being made by Mass General Brigham and the Brigham into BWFH, our campus expansion project and employee satisfaction survey results. You can also watch a live stream via the link on BWFHconnect. In addition to these important hospital updates, there will also be time for questions and answers. Submit your question ahead of time to bwfhbroadcast@partners.org.
In the news! BWFH surgeon and occupational therapist featured in Globe Magazine
Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital plastic and reconstructive surgeon Matthew Carty, MD, and Outpatient Rehabilitation Services Manager Kerstin Palm, MA, OTR/L, CHT, CLT, were recently featured in an article in Globe Magazine about their work with upper limb amputation patient Bradley Burkhard. Boston Globe subscribers can read the full article here.
Trinh named 2022 Young Urologist of the Year
Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital Associate Surgeon and Director of Ambulatory Clinical Operations for Brigham and Women’s Division of Urological Surgery Quoc-Dien Trinh, MD, FACS, has been named the 2022 Young Urologist of the Year by the American Urological Association. Read more.
Normalizing disability in the healthcare workplace: A benefit for everyone
The Mass General Brigham Employee Assistance Program partnered with experts Zary Amirhosseini, MEd, and Cheri Blauwet, MD, from the MGB Disability Task Force to learn about how we can all contribute to eliminating ableism (discrimination and stigma based on disability). This EAP news feature discusses the benefits of normalizing and fully accepting those with disabilities in the healthcare workplace. Increased accessibility can help to access greater employee talent, provide better patient care and make disability more seamless in our system.
April is Occupational Therapy Month
Occupational Therapists work with patients to regain skills for performing the tasks of living, whether it’s returning to getting dressed, bathing or returning to work after an injury or illness. Occupational Therapists here at Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital work in the Inpatient and Outpatient Rehabilitation Services Department with the goal of getting patients back to doing the things they love! This month, BWFH thanks and celebrates our Occupational Therapists.
Dr. Norman L. Sadowsky Award for Excellence nomination period now open
The Dr. Norman L. Sadowsky Award for Excellence goes to an individual who best exemplifies the qualities Dr. Sadowsky himself demonstrated throughout his more than 40 years of leadership in radiology. As a radiologist, colleague, friend, teacher, researcher and administrator, he always brought the highest levels of caring, compassion, creativity and service excellence to his work.
To nominate a BWFH employee for this year’s Dr. Norman L. Sadowsky Award for Excellence, click here. You may also complete this form and submit it on paper or via email to Michelle Casey in Human Resources, 7th Floor. Nominations are due by Friday, April 29.
Susan Bezanson Patient Safety Award nomination period now open
The Susan Bezanson Patient Safety Award is presented annually to a BWFH employee who demonstrates superior levels of excellence and the same dedication to patient safety and quality assurance that Sue Bezanson exhibited. Sue’s participation on several interdisciplinary committees shed light on the vital role of ancillary services in patient care.
To nominate a BWFH employee for this year’s Susan Bezanson Patient Safety Award, click here. You may also complete this form and submit it on paper or via email to Michelle Casey in Human Resources, 7th Floor. Nominations are due by Friday, April 29.
A message from BWFH’s Spiritual Care Services: Ramadan Mubarak, Chag Sameach, Good Friday and Happy Easter!
The month of April is full of holidays observed by many of our staff, patients and their loved ones.
Ramadan, the holiest month of the year for Muslims, began on April 2 and will end on May 2. During this time, Muslims fast from food and drink from sunrise to sunset. At the end of the day, the fast is broken with prayer and a meal called the Iftar. Ramadan Mubarak to all observing this holiday.
Passover, also called Pesach, is a major Jewish holiday that commemorates the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt and is observed from April 15 to 23. Seder meals enjoyed during Pesach include wine, matzah, bitter herbs and a retelling of the story of Exodus. Chag Sameach and Happy Pesach to all observing this holiday.
Good Friday, the Friday before Easter, is the day on which Christians annually observe the commemoration of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. This year, Good Friday shares April 15 with Pesach and it is observed as a day of sorrow, penance and fasting. Wishing a blessed Good Friday to all those observing this holiday.
Easter, one of the most important celebrations in the Christian calendar, will be observed on April 17. This holiday celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ three days following his crucifixion, death and burial. Wishing a blessed and holy Easter to all those observing this holiday.
Spiritual Care Services is available for consultation or support at ext. 4856. Please enter a Spiritual Care Consult in Epic if you are caring for a patient who would like spiritual support. Passover menus, seder plates and haggadahs are available through the Dietary Department at ext. 7480.
Information Security & Privacy Spring Awareness Week - through April 15
Spring into action this week by making information security and privacy a top priority in your work! From securing your workspace to reporting incidents—every little act counts. Brush up on our policies and best practices and learn how to Keep it Safe & Secure here.
Appropriately accessing medical records of family and friends
As healthcare workers, you may be called upon by your family and friends to help them navigate their care by scheduling appointments, interpreting results and more. As a reminder, your family member’s or friend’s verbal or written request does not legally permit you access to their medical record via Epic, nor is being the patient’s health care proxy. Accessing a patient’s record is strictly prohibited without a business need. The Privacy Office recommends the use of Patient Gateway to view and manage family’s and friends’ healthcare information as a Patient Care Representative (PCR). View these instructions on how to become a PCR. Using Patient Gateway is the best method for workforce members to protect themselves, as well as the privacy of our patients.
Register today! CPIP - Clinical Process Improvement Leadership Program
The Clinical Process Improvement Leadership Program is designed to facilitate the development of competencies needed by interprofessional frontline care teams across Mass General Brigham to actively lead and participate in clinical process improvement efforts. Participants will be charged with addressing a clinical problem in their environment. These projects will allow participants to translate theory into action. This year, priority will be given to projects that address the following areas: equity, patient experience, reducing hospital acquired infections and reducing cost of care. The program runs for four days over four months: September through January of 2022. Applications are due Friday, May 20. For more information, click here. Questions? Email cpip@partners.org.
Testing requirements for employees with COVID-19 symptoms
It’s important to remember that if you have COVID-19 symptoms and test negative using a home antigen test, you need to stay home and get a PCR test. While negative antigen tests may be acceptable for the purposes of school or other activities, at Mass General Brigham, we require a negative PCR test and improvement of symptoms to be able to return to work.
Resources for you:
You can find all of the flowcharts and Return to Work Tip Sheets, including for employees with confirmed COVID-19 or exposures, in the COVID-19 section of The Pulse.
Pillars of Excellence Awards - April 21
Join the Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital community in recognizing our 2021 Pillars of Excellence Award recipients on Thursday, April 21, from 1 to 2 pm. Learn more about the event on Mass General Brigham Pulse. Award recipients, friends, family and colleagues are all invited to join the virtual ceremony. To view the livestream, beginning at 1 pm on April 21, click here.
Farewell Reception in Honor of Michael Malone, MD - April 28
Join us on Thursday, April 28, in the Mary Ann Tynan Conference Center from 4:30 to 6:30 pm for a cocktail reception in honor of Michael Malone, MD. Dr. Malone has served as Section Chief of Urology since 2014. He leaves BWFH to take on a new role as a urologist at Atrius Health. Help us wish him well in the next chapter of his career. All are welcome.
Quality & Safety Symposium - April 28
Please join us for the seventh annual Mass General Brigham Quality & Safety Symposium on April 28 from 8 am to 12:45 pm. This virtual event will feature internal keynote speakers and brief panel presentations on quality and safety efforts from local leaders across Mass General Brigham. Highlighted initiatives will include United Against Racism, primary care, community health, patient experience, digital patient experience, quality and safety collaboratives, substance use and equity informed high reliability. View the agenda and register.
Basics of Excel Presented by the Emerging Leaders Committee - April 28
Join Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital’s Emerging Leaders Committee on Thursday, April 28, 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.
Help make a difference in our community: Volunteer with your colleagues at Community Servings - May 10
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 Tuesday, May 10, 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.
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