January 13, 2006

And the winner is ...

Richard Barbalace of MGH Orthopaedics not only is the winner of a New England Patriots football autographed by Deion Branch, but he also is a champion of the
hospital's patient privacy efforts. Barbalace came up with the winning slogan that will be displayed in hospital elevators to remind MGH employees, patients and visitors to respect patient privacy. "Be a Partner in Protecting Patient Confidentiality" is the slogan he entered in the contest that was hosted by MGH Health Information Services in October.

"By having this contest open to the whole MGH community, we were hoping to get good ideas that showed compassion and understanding of our commitment for protecting patients' rights for privacy," says Eileen Bryan of the MGH Privacy Office. "We received more than 100 submissions from patients, visitors and employees. Richard's submission exemplifies how we must all work together along with our patients to ensure their privacy is protected."

From left, Deborah Adair, director of Health Information Services,
with Barbalace and Bryan