May 27, 2005

MGHers work hard to make a difference

With the June 29 poster display and reception for the 2005 Making a Difference grant program approaching, this year's 20 grant recipients are hard at work putting the final touches on their projects. The Making a Difference grant program — sponsored by the MGH and the Massachusetts General Physicians Organization — offers up to $5,000 in support of employee initiatives to improve the quality of care at the hospital for patients, their families and employees. Lori Pugsley, an MGH Vincent Obstetrics family education coordinator, and Julie Piotrowski, PNP, of Pediatric Surgery for MassGeneral Hospital for Children (MGHC), are two of this year's recipients who have witnessed the success of their projects.

Pugsley's project, "A Belly Full of Empathy," has helped create another level of teaching and learning for the childbirth classes held at the MGH and the Chelsea and Revere health centers. The empathy belly is a 35-pound pregnancy simulator that allows the partner of the pregnant woman to temporarily experience more than 20 of the typical symptoms of pregnancy. It has received an overwhelmingly positive response from class participants as well as the educators. "The empathy belly has been extremely helpful to the program, and our couples have responded well," says Pugsley. "Many of the husbands have said that the experience has opened their eyes to what their wives are going through." Above, Kevin Pian of MGH Radiology models the empathy belly with Pugsley.

Pugsley feels that the Making a Difference grant program has been a great resource. "The application process was easy and there was always someone to offer guidance," she says. "Throughout the whole process, I never felt unprepared or unaware of information. It's been a great experience."

Piotrowski's project "Parents Online, Not Sidelined" resulted from her involvement with the MGHC Family Advisory Committee — a group of parents of children with chronic diseases. She learned that parents would spend long hours caring for their children at the hospital leaving little time for their other commitments and daily tasks. While the Blum Patient and Family Learning Center has computer and Internet access for patients and families, parents often do not like to leave their child's bedside even for a few moments. Piotrowski asked for funding for two laptops dedicated to parental use on Ellison 17 and 18. "The goal of the laptops is to provide comfort and peace of mind for parents," say Piotrowski. "The laptops allow parents to stay with their child and at the same time communicate with family, friends and employers, research medical information and keep up with daily tasks such as paying bills."

Piotrowski, along with Daiva Braunfelds of MGHC, also has been assisting with the "Child Friendly Induction Room" project after the original grant author Cathy Hovasse left the MGH. The goal of this project is to carry the ocean mural motif that is on Ellison 17 and 18 into the induction room — the area outside of the Operating Room where pediatric patients prepare for surgery — to help children feel more at ease.

All MGHers are invited to the Making a Difference grant program reception and poster display June 29, from 3 to 4:30 pm in the Trustees Room. Applications for the 2006 grant program will be available at the reception and at information tables in the Main Corridor July 7 and 12. Applications are due by Aug. 15. For more information, call (617) 726-1816 or send e-mail to mcassamas@partners.org.