June 14, 2002

Despite a difficult job market that has left many workers competing for fewer jobs, opportunities do exist for employees to advance in their own careers. One of these opportunities is offered at the MGH and is helping employees like Merlin Pena, (below) who works at the MGH Chelsea HealthCare Center.

As a native Spanish speaker, Pena always is looking for ways to improve her English — not only to help her perform her duties as a resource coordinator for Social Services/Mental Health but also to enrich her life in general. Two years ago when she was researching English classes, she also found out about the MGH Support Service Employee Grant Program. The program, funded by the MGH Diversity Committee, was developed in 1999 to help employees fulfill their career goals while improving current job performance. Grant recipients receive up to $1,500 to help defray educational costs.

Pena immediately applied and received a grant, which has enabled her to take courses at the Harvard Extension School. She has successfully completed three semesters of classes that teach English listening, reading, speaking and writing skills.

"I took the classes because I wanted to improve my English skills to help me in my job and my daily life, says Pena. "I contact outside agencies to get the necessary resources for patients, which requires me to speak mostly English. Plus I'm always trying to learn. I think that every day you need to learn something new — that is my goal in life."

The grant program has been helping many other MGHers in their educational pursuits as well — 107 employees so far. Of the employees who have received grants, 40 are from Nursing, eight from Nutrition and Food Services, seven from Health Information Services, four from MGH Chelsea, three from Materials Management and Pharmacy, and two from Buildings and Grounds. The remaining recipients are from 27 other departments. The educational goals of recipients have included preparing for careers in nursing, computers, business management and medical record coding.

"I think this is a great opportunity that the MGH has given to employees to help enhance our skills in different fields," says Pena. "I am so grateful for the support to help me continue to learn."

The current grant application deadline is June 26. For more information, contact Nancy Marttila by e-mail at nmarttila@partners.org or by calling (617) 724-3055.