August 23, 2002

Since the introduction of the new and improved MGH website last summer, web users have been able to access information about the hospital with ease. This June, phase two of the hospital's web redesign was completed, offering even more information and easier access to the MGH's world-class services.

The entire web effort is under the direction of the MGH Web Strategy Committee, which was established by the hospital's Chiefs' Council.

"During the past year, we have worked with more than 200 departments to add their web pages to the MGH site," says Bernie Mendillo, Internet communications manager for the MGH/Massachusetts General Physicians Organization (MGPO) Marketing Department. "Our main goal was to help departments create pages that provide organized, accessible information. Each page has its own departmental feel but is still part of the MGH web family."

The main aspect of that "family" feel is the MGH navigation (nav) bar at the top of each page, the only requirement for each departmental site. The navbar has the department's name, MGH logo, address and phone number. It also links web users directly back to the MGH homepage, no matter where the user is on the site.

The second-phase web pages can be found by logging onto the MGH homepage (www2.massgeneral.org), clicking on the "Departments and Programs" button and then using the alphabetical list to choose a specific department or program.

The Marketing Department's in-house design team continues to serve as a resource for departments as they create and enhance sites. "We offer our services free of charge," says Laura Hynes, director of Marketing. "We will design the pages for the department, build on what they already have or refer them to an outside web designer."

The Web Strategy Committee now begins phase three, which will focus on adding new features such as enhanced health and wellness information, video streaming, virtual tours, on-line applications and e-commerce options.

For more information, contact Mendillo at (617) 724-2854.