September 3, 2004

What's happening

MGH neurosurgery symposium
The MGH is sponsoring the fourth annual Carolyn Frye-Halloran Symposium Sept. 9 and 10. The symposium will focus on primary central nervous system lymphoma, a rare form of lymphoma of the brain and spinal cord. For more information or to register, call Mary Piggott at (617) 726-8583 or send e-mail to mpiggott@partners.org

Nominations for PCS award
Nominations now are being accepted for the Anthony Kirvilaitis Jr. Partnership in Caring Award. The award recognizes Patient Care Services (PCS) staff in nonclinical roles who exemplify the values of reliability, responsiveness, creativity and flexibility. Any MGH nonclinician who is part of the PCS staff – operations associates, unit service associates, operating room assistants, unit assistants, patient care service coordinators, emergency department admitting assistants, patient care information associates and information associates – can be nominated. Nomination forms are located on each patient care unit, at the Gray information desk, in the Emergency Department, on Bigelow 10, in the Operating Room Nursing Office and at the Gray and White information desks. All nominations must be received by Sept. 10. For more information, contact Nancy DeCoste at (617) 724-7841 or Carolyn Washington at (617) 724-8610.

Nursing Career Expo
Patient Care Services Human Resources will host a Nursing Career Expo Sept. 19, from noon to 3 pm in the North and East Garden Dining Rooms. Learn about staff nurse, clinical nurse specialist, nurse manager and surgical technologist opportunities at the MGH. For more information, call Sarah Welch at (617) 726-5593 or send e-mail to shwelch@partners.org

HIV/AIDS women's clinic opens
A new HIV/AIDS women's clinic at the MGH will open Sept. 13 on Founders 8. The clinic will focus on the specific needs of women living with HIV and AIDS and will offer walk-in services for gynecology exams and treatment, STD treatment and referrals, medication education and adherence motivation, comprehensive HIV care and bilingual providers. The clinic also will offer psychosocial services in benefits counseling, case management, group counseling, substance abuse treatment, crisis intervention and on-site child care. Walk-in hours are Mondays, from 1 to 6 pm. For more information, call (617) 724-8597.

Medical terminology courses
MGH Human Resources will offer Medical Terminology I and II, both starting Sept. 27 at 100 Charles River Plaza, second floor. The cost is $70 for course I, and $50 for course II. To register by Sept. 17, visit PeopleSoft at http://ibridge.partners.org/getaccess For more information, call (617) 726-2230.

Fall 2004 computer training
Partners Information Systems Training now has released the Fall Computer Workshop training schedule for Microsoft Office 2000 applications. All classes will be held at the MGH Training and Workforce Development office, located at 100 Charles River Plaza. For more information, visit http://is.partners.org/training or call (617) 724-1240.

Smoking cessation programs
The MGH Quit Smoking Service will offer evening and afternoon group smoking cessation programs starting in September. The evening program will start Sept. 8 at 5:30 pm, and the afternoon program will start Sept. 16 at 3 pm. The program includes information about preparing to quit, coping with stress without cigarettes,
preventing weight gain and tips for not smoking again. For more information, call Michele Burgener at (617) 726-7443.

Spanish for Health Care
Registration for fall classes has begun for Spanish for Health Care. Five levels of classes are offered, including a beginning class for those who have never studied Spanish, as well as more advanced levels. Classes will start the week of Sept. 13, and the cost is $75 for 14 weeks. Payment by check or money order only must be made at the time of registration. Register in person at MGH Training, 100 Charles River Plaza, second floor, from 8 am to 5 pm. Classes are one evening per week. For information, call (617) 726-2230, send e-mail to mghtraining@partners.org or call Natalia Cepeda at HablEspana, (617) 426-4868, ext. 201.

MGH photo contest
The MGH Photography Department has announced the start of the seventh annual MGH photo contest. This competition is open to all MGH and Partners employees. Individuals are allowed to enter up to two photographs no larger than 8" x 10". Photographs should be submitted without matting, mounting or framing. All entries should be submitted with a completed entry form and received by Oct. 6. All submissions will be displayed, and winners will be announced Oct. 14.

AHA Heart Walk
The MGH will be participating in this year's American Heart Association's Boston Heart Walk, Sept. 18, starting at 10 am at Lederman field across Storrow Drive from the hospital. After a complimentary breakfast, walkers will have the choice of three different routes: one, three or six miles. For more information, contact Julie Brenman at (617) 726-8295 or Susan Towler at (617) 726-4939.