February 8, 2002

CCFA support group
The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) hosts a support group at the MGH for people suffering from Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis or inflammatory bowel disease. The group's next meeting will be held Feb. 19, at 6:30 pm in the Isselbacher Library on Blake 4. For more information, contact Carrie Potoff at (617) 416-4595 or send e-mail to potoff@aol.com.

Eldercare planning seminar
The MGH Employee Assistance Program (EAP) will sponsor an eldercare planning seminar Feb. 14, from noon to 1 pm in the Wellman Conference Room. Barbara Moscowitz, LICSW, of MGH Senior Health, will discuss the considerations and decisions facing elderly relatives and their family caregivers. Topics will include types of care, living options and planning ahead for the best available assistance. For more information, call the EAP at (617) 726-6976.

Ash Wednesday services
The MGH Chaplaincy will offer Ash Wednesday services at the MGH main campus, CNY, MGH Revere HealthCare Center and Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (MEEI) Feb. 13. At the MGH Chapel, Roman Catholic Mass will be held at 11 am and 4 pm and an Ecumenical Service will be held at 12:15 pm. Ashes will be distributed in the chapel between 9 am and 5 pm, and will be delivered once to each patient floor between 8 am and 4 pm. Ashes will be distributed at CNY Building 149 from noon to 2 pm, and from 11 am to noon in the Sweet Conference Room at 300 Ocean Ave. in Revere. Ashes also will be offered from 10:30 to 11 am in the 11th floor patient lounge at MEEI. All chapel services will be broadcast on Channel 16 on the in-house television system.

AMMP Black History Month celebration
The Association of Multicultural Members of Partners (AMMP) will host guest speaker Charles C. Yancy, member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, Feb. 14, from noon to 1:30 pm in the Trustees Room on Bulfinch 2. Yancy will discuss "A Legacy of Struggle and Change" in observance of February as Black History Month. All Partners employees are welcome to attend.

Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day blood drive
In conjunction with a statewide and national celebration, the MGH Blood Donor Center will hold a special blood drive in commemoration of Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) Awareness Day, Feb. 14, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Donors are encouraged to give blood in honor of all those who are living with CHD and all who have died from the disease. For more information or to make an appointment to donate, call the center at (617) 726-8177.

Ethics forum
The MGH Ethics Task Force will sponsor "Ask the Ethicist: A Discussion Series for the MGH Community," Feb. 13, from 4:30 to 6 pm in the Clinics Building Lower Amphitheater. Advance questions may be submitted to Alex Cist, MD, at acist@partners.org. For more information, call Matt Girotto at (617) 724-4136.