April 9, 2004

What's Happening

Health disparities forum
Peter L. Slavin, MD, president of the MGH, and the hospital's Disparities Committee invite the MGH community to a forum "Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health: The Past, Present and Future" May 6, from 10 to 11:30 am in the O'Keeffe Auditorium.

The forum will feature two prominent members of the Institute of Medicine committee that issued the "Unequal Treatment" report. Michael Byrd, MD, from the Harvard School of Public Health, who co-authored a book on the history of disparities that was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, will speak along with Martha Hill, PhD, RN, dean of the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, who is known internationally for her work in preventing and treating hypertention, particularly among African-American men.

This event is co-sponsored by MGH Nursing, MGH Community Benefits, the Patient Care Services Diversity Steering Committee, MGH Multicultural Affairs Office, the Association of Multicultural Members of Partners and the Massachusetts General Physicians Organization. For more information, call Angela Maina at (617) 724-4613.

MGPO quarterly meeting
The Massachusetts General Physicians Organization (MGPO) will hold its quarterly meeting April 15, at 5 pm in the O'Keeffe Auditorium. Topics will include "Reflections from Boston's Streets: Challenges in the Care of Homeless Persons," "Caring for the Rhode Island Fire Victims" and "Bringing Medical Care to Burmese Refugees." For more information, call the MGPO at (617) 724-9080.

Blood Donor Center hours
The MGH Blood Donor Center will now stay open an hour later on Tuesdays. Appointments for blood donations can be made Tuesdays, from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, and on Mondays and Wednesdays through Fridays, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. To schedule an appointment, call (617) 726-8177.

CRP seminar
The MGH Clinical Research Program (CRP) will sponsor "Developing Industry Budgets for Clinical Research" April 14, from 11:45 am to 1:30 pm in the Wellman Conference Room. Marianne Dyke, education manager of the Center for Clinical Investigation at BWH, will describe budget development and the negotiation process, as well as how to identify common hidden expenses in clinical trials. Registration is required, and seating is limited to 80. To register, visit http://crnet.mgh.harvard.edu or call (617) 726-1669.

Smoking cessation program
The MGH Community Health Associates "Pack It In" smoking cessation program will offer "Stop-Smoking Hypnotherapy" at MGH Revere April 27, from 6 to 8 pm, in the first floor conference room. MGH Everett also will offer the program May 25, from 6 to 8 pm, at Everett City Hall in the Keverian Room, third floor. Smoking cessation group sessions will be held at MGH Everett Tuesday evenings April 20 to May 18, from 6 to 7 pm in the first floor conference room and at the MGH Charlestown HealthCare Center Wednesday evenings April 21 to May 19, from 5:45 to 7 pm, in the second floor conference room. Registration is required, and space is limited. To register, call (781) 485-6210 or call Ann-Marie Duffy, MPH, at (781) 485-6400.

Free skin cancer screening
MGH Dermatology will offer a free skin cancer screening May 4, from 5 to 7 pm in WACC 481. Screenings are by appointment only. For more information, call Carolyn Catinazzo at (617) 726-1869.

EAP work/life seminar
The MGH Employee Assistance Program (EAP) will offer a Work/Life seminar "Working and Breastfeeding"April 20, from noon to 1 pm in VBK, room 401. Germaine Lambergs, RN, an MGH lactation consultant, will present the latest information on breastfeeding. A tour of the Mother's Corner also will be offered. For more information, call the EAP at (617) 726-6976 or visit http://www.eap.partners.org.

Annual AIDS walk and 5K run
The Partners AIDS Research Center (PARC) has formed a team in support of the AIDS Action Committee with its 19th annual AIDS Walk and 5K Run to raise money for AIDS programs and services. The event will be held June 6. For more information or to join the team, call Kathleen Donnelly at (617) 726-6095.