February 14, 2003

CRP training seminar
The Clinical Research Program (CRP) will present an all-day training seminar "Conducting FDA-Regulated Research" Feb. 26, from 8 am to 5 pm in the Wellman Conference Room. The training session will focus on the basic duties of research nurses and coordinators involved in investigational drug or device studies. The course does not address NIH studies or MGH specific policies. Registration is required. To register, visit http://crnet.mgh.harvard.edu or call Alison Simmons at (617) 726-1669.

Black History Month event
Gerald R. Reed, immediate past president of Blacks in Government (BIG) and chief of Information Services at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, will be the guest speaker at the Association of Multicultural Members of Partners (AMMP) Black History Month event. The event will be held Feb. 24, from noon to 1 pm in the O'Keeffe Auditorium with a reception immediately following in Bulfinch 222. Reed's address will be based on the national Black History Month theme for 2003, "The Souls of Black Folks, Centennial Reflections." For more information, call (617) 724-0928.

Bloomingdale's shopping day
Bloomingdale's department store at Chestnut Hill and the MGH Vincent Obstetrics and Gynecology Service will offer a shopping day to MGHers March 5. Tickets are $10 and entitle the shopper to discounts of 15 percent on nearly everything in the store. All money from ticket sales will go directly to support MGH Vincent research. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (617) 724-7884 or send e-mail to smcgrail@partners.org.

Harvard forum
The Harvard Eating Disorders Center at the MGH will sponsor a public forum on body image, culture and the media Feb. 24, from 7 to 9 pm at the Harvard Graduate School of Education in the Gutman Conference Center in the Gutman Library. Panel participants will include Jamie-Lynn Sigler from HBO's "The Sopranos" and Abby Gardener, beauty director for YM Magazine. The event is free and open to all. For more information, contact Sarah White at (617) 724-1744.

Longwood Symphony Orchestra concert
Join the Longwood Symphony Orchestra March 8 at 8 pm for a concert to benefit the New England Hemophilia Association. The medical staff ensemble will present an all-French program featuring Alexandra Montano, mezzo soprano and a world premier by Christopher Culpo. Tickets are $20 general admission, and $15 for students and seniors. For ticket information, call (617) 536-2412.

MGH/Timilty Partnership program
The MGH/Timilty Partnership invites MGH employees to participate in the Timilty Middle School's Promising Pals program. Participants will serve as pen pals to Timilty students from February through June. Each Promising Pal is asked to befriend a Timilty student by exchanging letters and attending a breakfast at the school in June. Spanish/English bilingual employees are encouraged to participate. For more information or to register for the program, send an e-mail to Norma Soto at nsoto@timilty.boston.k12.ma.us or call (617) 724-3210.

Blood donations needed
Because of an increased need for blood components, the MGH Blood Donor Center would like to encourage MGHers to donate blood. There is an urgent need for donations, which are at an all-time low. The Blood Donor Center is open Monday through Thursday, 8:30 am to 6:30 pm, and Fridays, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. For more information, call (617) 726-8177.