September 10, 1999

Cancer Center seminars
The Cancer Center Patient and Family Support Program (PFSP) is offering the following September seminars: "Drop-in Yoga," Sept. 16, 23, and 30, 12 to 1 pm; "Relaxation and Visualization for Patients and Families," Sept. 10 and 22, noon to 1 pm; "Spirituality: Faith, Why Me? Reasons to Hope," Sept. 14, noon to 1 pm; "Caring for Yourself While Caring for a Loved One with Cancer," Sept. 15, 1 to 2 pm. Registration is not required for these free seminars. All seminars are held in the Cancer Resource Room on Cox 1. For more information, call Christine Foster at 6-7423.

Conference on minimally invasive therapies
Physicians and researchers will meet in Boston, Sept. 16 to 18, for a conference on minimally invasive therapies. The conference is hosted by the Center for Innovative Minimally Invasive Therapy (CIMIT) – a nonprofit consortium of academic and research institutions that includes the MGH, BWH, Draper Laboratory and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The 11th annual scientific meeting of the Society for Minimally Invasive Therapy will present findings on a range of novel procedures and instruments, from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to miniature robots that reduce the trauma, hospital stay and cost of medical treatment. Partners physicians will present at the conference. To register or for more information, call (781) 279-9887.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk
Employees are invited to join the MGH team Oct. 3 for the "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" walk. Registration begins at 8 am at the Hatch Shell on Boston’s Charles River Esplanade. Funds from the walk go to benefit research, prevention, patient and family support programs and breast cancer screening. MGHers can sign up to participate with the MGH team in the Gillette Center for Women’s Cancers, located on Cox 1. For more information, send e-mail to Aimee Harris at aharris@partners.org.

Infection control workshop
The Infection Control Unit is presenting an all-day workshop "Emerging issues in infection control: Are the bugs winning?" Oct. 18, 8 am to 4:30 pm in Burr 5 and 6 conference rooms, Bartlett 3. The workshop will present the latest information, tools and techniques to avoid infection, as well as describe the increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria and strategies for controlling the spread of these organisms. The workshop is free to MGH employees, and contact hours will be awarded for nursing participants. To register or for more information, call 6-3111.

Kenneth B. Schwartz Center annual dinner
The Kenneth B. Schwartz Center’s fourth annual dinner will be held Oct. 19 at the Westin Hotel in Copley Place. The dinner will feature a performance by singer Judy Collins. For more information or to help with the event, call Sara Sewall at 4-9443.

Nutralert to begin in the Eat Street Cafe
The Department of Nutrition and Food Service will launch "Nutralert" in the Eat Street Cafe, Sept. 15. Nutralert is a comprehensive program designed to help consumers make informed choices when dining. It includes fat and calorie information on all foods available in the cafe, as well as suggested "Nutralert Meals"– meals providing less than 650 calories and 22 grams of fat. The Nutralert Guide will be available to customers beginning Sept. 15. Each month a nutrition topic will be presented by professional staff, providing information to keep MGHers and visitors informed about the best ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Lecture on health care economics
The Department of Radiation Oncology and the MGH Cancer Center are sponsoring a lecture series on non-clinical issues in health care. The Sept. 13 lecture, about the economics of health care, will be held in Bigelow 830, 5 to 6 pm. The lecture also can be viewed by satellite at Emerson Hospital. The guest speaker will be Joseph P. Newhouse, PhD, of Harvard University. For more information, call 6-8150.