August 8, 2003

What's Happening

Clinical Research Program seminar series
The Clinical Research Program (CRP) is sponsoring "Infection Control Principles and Practice in Clinical Research" Aug. 13, from 11:45 am to 1 pm in the Wellman Conference Room. Robert Rigdon, BSN, RN, CIC, administrative director of the MGH Infection Control Unit, will discuss standard precautions, as well as infection control practices when handling specimens or performing phlebotomy. According to JCAHO standards, infection control training is required for all clinical research nurses and coordinators who handle human specimens, and retraining must occur annually. This lecture will fulfill the training requirement. For more information or to register,
call the CRP reservation line at (617) 726-1669.

Topics in Primary Care conference
MassGeneral Hospital for Children and the Harvard Medical School Department of Continuing Education will host the MassGeneral Hospital for Children/Partners CME Conference "Topics in Primary Care (With an Extra Dose of Pediatric Gastroenterology)" Sept. 13, from 7:30 am to 5 pm at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge, Mass. The fee for the conference is $50. To register, visit http://www2.massgeneral.org/children/primarycare For more information, call (617) 726-3480 or (617) 726-3792.

Senior HealthWISE seminar
The MGH Senior HealthWISE education seminar program will offer "Safety in a Changing World" Aug. 11, from 4 to 5 pm in the East Garden Dining Room. John Driscoll of MGH Police and Security will be the speaker. For more information, call (617) 724-6756.

Clinical Pastoral Education Program fellowships
Through the funding of the Kenneth B. Schwartz Center and the MGH Department of Nursing, fellowships now are available for the winter 2004 MGH Clinical Pastoral Education Program. The program is open to individuals from any discipline who work directly with patients and/or families in a health care setting, and who wish to integrate
spiritual caregiving skills into their professional practice. Six Kenneth B. Schwartz Fellowships in Pastoral Care and two Spiritual Caregiver Fellowships will be awarded. The program is part-time and will run from Jan. 5 through May 17, 2004. Sessions will be held every Monday - excluding Jan. 19 and April 12 - from 9 am to 5 pm. Additional hours will be negotiated for the clinical component. All applications
are due by Sept.1. For more information or to receive an application, contact the MGH Chaplaincy at (617) 726-2220.

Smoking cessation program
The MGH Quit Smoking Service will offer a smoking cessation program beginning Aug. 19 at 5:30 pm. The group will meet every Tuesday for seven weeks. Topics include information about nicotine replacement, preparing to quit, coping with stress without cigarettes, and preventing weight gain and relapse. For more information, call (617) 726-7443.