March 15, 2002

MGPO quarterly meeting
All physicians and staff are invited to the quarterly meeting of the Massachusetts General Physicians Organization (MGPO), March 20, from 5 to 6:30 pm, in the O'Keeffe Auditorium. Guest speakers include: Samuel O. Thier, MD, Partners president and chief executive officer; James J. Mongan, MD, MGH president; Peter L. Slavin, MD, MGPO chairman and chief executive officer; and David Blumenthal, MD, director of the MGH Institute for Health Policy. For more information, call (617) 724-9080.

Children and Healthcare Week art fair
MassGeneral Hospital for Children will celebrate National Children and Healthcare Week, April 21 to May 3. Pediatric patients, children of employees and students at local schools are invited to submit their artwork to the Children and Healthcare Week Art Fair. The art theme is "Who or What Keeps You Healthy and Safe?" Artists may use crayons, paint or pencils on 8 1/2 by 11-inch paper. Submissions should include name, school, age and phone number. Artwork should be sent to Joan Drescher, MassGeneral Hospital for Children, 55 Fruit St., Ellison Building, room 1705, Boston, MA 02114. The deadline for submissions is April 17. All artwork will be on display in the Main Corridor throughout the week's activities. Prizes will be given to the 1st-, 2nd- and 3rd-place winners in the pre-school, elementary, middle and high school groups. Each entrant will be recognized with a certificate of participation.

Call for Macaluso Award nominations
Nominations now are being accepted for the Stephanie M. Macaluso, RN, Excellence in Clinical Practice Award. The award recognizes direct care providers throughout MGH Patient Care Services whose practice exemplifies the expert application of values personified by the late Stephanie M. Macaluso, RN. Nomination forms are available in all patient care areas, in department offices and at the Gray Lobby information desk. All nominations must be received by April 5. Awardees each will receive $1,500 for a professional conference of their choice. For information, call (617) 724-5801.

Family-Centered Care Award nominations
Nominations now are being accepted for the annual Family-Centered Care Awards. The awards recognize caregivers at MassGeneral Hospital for Children who best exemplify the hospital's mission and the care given to children and families. Any MassGeneral Hospital for Children employee can be nominated by a colleague, patient, family or visitor. Nominators may submit a brief letter stating why they believe the nominee deserves to be recognized. Nominations must be submitted by April 2 to Judy Newell, RN, on Ellison 17.

Holy Week services
MGH Chaplaincy will offer the following services during Holy Week in the MGH Chapel, located on Ellison 1.

Palm Sunday Roman Catholic Mass will be held March 23 and 24 at 4 pm. Palms will be distributed in the morning on inpatient units and at the 4 pm Mass.

An Ecumenical service will be held March 25, 26 and 27 at 12:15 pm, and Roman Catholic Mass will take place on those days at 4 pm.

Ecumenical prayer service for Holy (Maundy) Thursday will be held March 28 at 12:15 pm. Roman Catholic Mass for HolyThursday also will be held March 28 at 4 pm.

A Good Friday service of music, reflections, readings and prayer will be held March 29, from noon to 3 pm.

Roman Catholic Service — Passion of the Lord and Holy Communion will be held March 29 at 4 pm.

Roman Catholic Easter Vigil Mass will be held March 30 at 7 pm. There will not be a 4 pm Mass on March 30.

Ecumenical Easter service will be held March 31 at 12:15 pm, and Easter Sunday Roman Catholic Mass will be held at 4 pm.

For more information about these services, call the MGH Chaplaincy at (617) 726-2220.

Passover offering
MGH Chaplaincy staff extends their best wishes to patients, families and staff who are celebrating the Hebrew festival of Pesach (Passover), which begins March 28. Kosher food is available to Jewish patients upon request to the MGH Nutrition and Food Services Department by calling (617) 726-2520.