• Medicine across the miles: MGH physicians assist surgery at South Pole
  MGH clinicians are accustomed to treating patients from around the world, but these patients usually come to the MGH. Recently, however, two MGH physicians helped treat a patient for the first time at the South Pole using the art of telemedicine. Bertram Zarins, MD, of MGH Orthopaedics, and Vicki Modest, MD, of MGH Anesthesiology and Critical Care, helped a physician at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station perform surgery earlier this month on a meteorologist who injured his knee in a fall.

• This scoop's for you
  MGHers recently were treated to a tasty ice cream celebration thanks to the efforts of employees who rode their bikes to work during the Boston Bike-to-Work Corporate Challenge. MGHers were invited to take a break from the summer heat and sample delicious Ben & Jerry's ice cream on the Bulfinch Lawn July 19.
  

• Seniors in the spotlight: Senior HealthWISE program officially launched
  It was an appropriate setting for launching a new community health program for seniors. More than 150 hospital and community leaders and guests gathered July 17 at the Blackstone elderly housing development to celebrate the beginning of a new partnership that will benefit seniors living in the West End and Beacon Hill neighborhoods.
  

• MGH employees make a difference in patient care
  Every day MGHers are finding new ways to improve the comfort and care provided to patients. The smallest of projects can make a big difference in a patient's experience. Whether it's improving patient brochures or adding scenic photographs to the Emergency Department waiting area, employees understand the significant effect a little change can make.

• Hormone could lead to new treatment of diabetes
  MGH scientists have discovered that a naturally occurring hormone can cause adult islet stem cells to mature into pancreatic beta cells, the insulin-secreting cells that are depleted or compromised in diabetes. The results, which appear in the August issue of Endocrinology, could help researchers design a strategy for reversing the disease.

• New and improved Cal Stat: It's better than soap and water
  For two years, MGH clinicians have been using the waterless, alcohol-based hand gel Cal Stat to help reduce the number of hospital-acquired infections for patients and employees. With feedback from hospital employees and staff, the makers of Cal Stat have developed a new version of the product that will be introduced to the MGH at the end of this month.
  
  

• Building awareness about patient privacy
  With the impending enforcement of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to protect patients' privacy of their medical information next year, MGH Health Information Services hosted an information table in the Main Corridor July 23 and 25. At the information display, a draft of the new patient privacy notice that eventually will be given to all MGH patients was available for visitors to review.
  

• What's Happening

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