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Gender-affirming surgery aims to give transgender individuals a body that aligns with their gender, but for many, their voice and speech pattern often doesn’t match their gender. That’s where the Rehabilitation Services Department at Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital can help, now offering gender-affirming voice therapy.
Influenza, commonly known as the flu, kills thousands of people in the U.S. each season according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the flu vaccine has demonstrated effectiveness in preventing—and reducing complications of—this common infectious illness.
Tom Sequist, MD, Mass General Brigham’s Chief Patient Experience and Equity Officer, shares the seven flu vaccination myths that his own patients have shared with him and his responses with the facts.
When we launched the Know the Line program earlier this year, we shared our unwavering commitment to ensuring that Mass General Brigham is a workplace that is safe, respectful and welcoming for all. How we treat each other is an important part of our values, our culture and how we get our work done. Disrespectful actions and abusive conduct—harassment and bullying—undermine our ability to provide safe, comprehensive and quality care to our communities. Our expectation is that we treat everyone with respect, honesty and integrity.
With this in mind, we launched the Know the Line portal, a comprehensive website dedicated to providing you with information and resources about the work we are doing to address inappropriate workplace behavior and create a welcoming, inclusive environment for all. Learn more here.
Mass General Brigham recently announced a $50 million investment in a new, comprehensive community and mental health strategy to improve the health of the communities it serves. In partnership with 20 community-based organizations, the initiative targets programs to improve mental healthcare capacity, workforce development, chronic disease management, as well as nutrition security and equity. Read more.
David Levine, MD, MPH, Medical Director of Strategy and Innovation for Brigham and Women’s Hospital recently spoke with Boston 25 News about the benefits of hospital home care for patients with acute conditions. Learn more about the program, which also benefits Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital patients, here.
As we continue to evolve as an integrated healthcare system, we are committed to supporting our employees with an exceptional and more consistent workplace experience across Mass General Brigham. We also strive to identify new ways we can promote our values of equity and inclusion for all. An important part of this effort is addressing the wide variation of holiday recognition across the system, and consideration of which holidays should be paid holidays. We are pleased to announce that starting in calendar year 2023 we will recognize Juneteenth as a paid holiday across Mass General Brigham. Learn more.
Open Enrollment for your 2022 benefits runs through Friday, November 12. Open Enrollment is your yearly opportunity to review your benefits enrollment and make any necessary changes for the new year. This quick video will tell you all you need to know about reviewing, choosing and enrolling in your 2022 Mass General Brigham benefits.
Any changes you make to your benefits during Open Enrollment will take effect on Saturday, January 1, 2022. If you do not make any changes, your current elections will carry over, with this exception: If you are enrolled in a Flexible Spending Account for 2021 and wish to enroll again in 2022, you must log into PeopleSoft. Your enrollment will not automatically roll over into the new year.
Find all of the information you need for Open Enrollment 2022, including how to register for Open Enrollment informational webinars, benefit plan comparison charts, rate sheets and helpful videos through Ask My HR. You will be able to enroll in benefits through PeopleSoft beginning Monday, November 1.
If you have questions, the HR Support Center is here to help! Submit an online request or call 1-833-Ask-MyHR (1-833-275-6947) if you have questions.
While November may be the Thanksgiving season, it’s never too early to let your teammates know you are grateful for them. “Snaps” is a new employee recognition tool for employees at Mass General Brigham. It may seem like a small gesture, but these “Snaps” are validating and mighty. People do great work here every day, so let’s share it. Send your colleagues “Snaps” to let them know they are appreciated.
To protect the safety of all patients and staff, Mass General Brigham requires that all employees receive a flu vaccine by Friday, November 12. All staff are also required to complete their annual compliance training in HealthStream by Monday, January 3. Please review the key dates and actions items below.
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Date |
Action |
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November 12 |
Flu shots must be received and documented in Peoplesoft Walk-in flu shot clinics are being held at BWFH in the Chapel area on the third floor today, November 2, until 1:30 pm and Tuesday, November 9, from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. Please be sure to bring your hospital ID badge, wear a shirt with loose-fitting sleeves and observe physical distancing guidelines while waiting in line. |
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November 15 |
Enforcement of unpaid leave and loss of computer access for flu noncompliance |
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December 1 |
Termination of employment for flu noncompliance |
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January 3 |
HealthStream compliance deadline Learn more about your annual required training on The Pulse. |
On Monday, November 1, many colleagues who have been working remote since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic returned to the office, some are full-time on site and some are on site in a hybrid model. Meanwhile, some colleagues will continue to work fully remote. To ensure effective and efficient workflows, Mass General Brigham has developed a toolkit for remote and hybrid workers and their managers.
With all the challenges of the past 19 months, saying goodbye to co-workers is another loss we are facing. You may have worked for years with some colleagues leaving our organization, and during some incredibly stressful times. The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) can help you cope with the organizational changes that are impacting you. Here are a few suggested coping strategies. Don’t hesitate to reach out to Mass General Brigham Employee Assistance Program at 1-866-724-4EAP or request an appointment via our online form for confidential assistance from one of our counselors.
Available to employees system-wide, the Online College Preparation Program (OCPP) introduces common terms associated with online learning, encourages connections amongst colleagues in a supportive virtual learning environment and acts as a simulation of actual online courses. Learn more here. Register by Tuesday, November 9, for the next session which begins Friday, November 12. OCPP completers will be eligible to apply to the free Quinsigamond Community College Online Medical Terminology course and career and academic coaching. Questions? Email partnersvirtualcommunity@partners.org.
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Date |
Action |
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Now through November 5 |
Staff who have become compliant may return to work by presenting documentation to OHS; computer access will be restored within 48 hours |
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November 5 |
Final day to become compliant via full COVID-19 vaccination — at least one dose of Pfizer/Moderna or single-dose Johnson & Johnson (J&J) and documented at vaccinecheck.massgeneralbrigham.org |
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November 9 |
Non-compliant staff will be notified of their termination of employment if no vaccine received/documented |
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November 10 |
Termination of employment if no vaccine received/documented |
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends booster shots for certain people who received the Pfizer, Moderna, and the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. There are now booster recommendations for all three available COVID-19 vaccines in the United States. Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. Visit the CDC website for full details regarding their recommendation.
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 Monday, November 8, 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.
All employees are invited to attend the “Veterans Day Tribute: Centennial Commemoration for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Honoring All Who Served)” on Wednesday, November 10, from 8:30 to 9:30 am. We recognize the important contributions that our Veterans make to our nation and our community. In honor of Veterans Day, we are hosting our annual Veterans Day event via livestream to thank and recognize our active, reserve, honorably discharged and retired service members. In addition, all members of the community—including employees with family members who are currently serving in active duty—are invited to this special program. To watch the livestream, click here.
Every year, on the third Thursday of November, smokers and non-smokers alike are encouraged to take part in the Great American Smokeout. The Great American Smokeout challenges smokers to stop smoking cigarettes for 24 hours with the hope that this decision will continue on forever. At Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital, we’d like you to quit, cold turkey! Stop by the information table outside the cafeteria on Thursday, November 18, between 11:30 am and 1:30 pm. You can find information about the health risks associated with smoking, resources to help you or someone you know quit smoking, details on our Lung Cancer Screening Program and more. And don’t forget to enter our raffle to win a prize!
Looking for more news from BWFH? Go to News to find articles about health, updates to our programs and services and stories about staff and patients.
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