September 4, 1998 

MGPO meeting
All MGPO physicians and employees are invited to attend the MGPO fourth quarter staff meeting, Sept. 16, 5 to 6:30 pm in the O'Keeffe Auditorium. Speakers will include W. Gerald Austen, MD, chairman and CEO of the MGPO; Daniel Ginsburg, MGPO president and chief operating officer; and Samuel O. Thier, MD, president and CEO of Partners. The meeting will focus on Partners strategy. For more information, call 4-9080.

New lab requisitions
New requisition forms for ordering outpatient laboratory services from MGH main campus labs will be distributed to all physician practices during the week of Sept. 14. Two forms – one for the main labs and the other for specialty labs – will replace the more than one dozen forms currently in use, helping streamline processes for providers and facilitate medical documentation required for billing. For more information, call Ann Bitzer at 4-2107 or Kim Clarke at 4-3312.

Free diabetes screening
The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) at the MGH will hold a free blood sugar screening for employees and visitors Sept. 9, 7 to 11 am, in the Central Lobby. Those planning to participate should avoid eating or drinking anything but water for 4 to12 hours before the test. Participants will learn more about the DPP and its six-year study on diabetes prevention. For more information, call 4-3197.

Walk to Cure Diabetes
Join MGHers and employees from BWH and other Partners affiliates in the 5K Walk to Cure Diabetes Sept. 13, 1 pm, at the Hatch Shell on the Esplanade. Partners is a corporate sponsor of the walk, which benefits the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. Registration begins at noon near the starting line. For those interested in walking or sponsoring a walker, contact Sharon Stade in the MGH Development Office at 4-6435.

Peripheral vascular disease screening
The MGH Vascular Radiology and Vascular Surgery departments will host a Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) leg screening Sept. 28, 9 am to 3 pm, in the Wellman Conference Room. For people who suffer from leg pain, the screening will help determine their risk for PVD, which is common among people over the age of 50, those who have diabetes, smoke or have high blood pressure or cholesterol levels. The screening is part of the Legs for Life national screening program, sponsored by the Society of Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology. For more information or to register, call 4-7124.

Spaulding employee appreciation day
Spaulding will celebrate its first employee appreciation day and cultural fair with foods, crafts, music and dance Sept. 10, noon to 6 pm, at its waterfront area, 125 Nashua St. All are welcome. For information, call Steven Patrick at (617) 573-2921.

Programs for cancer patients
The MGH Cancer Center Patient and Family Support Program will sponsor the following programs, noon to 1 pm, in the Cancer Resource Room, Cox 1: "Sexuality and the Cancer Experience," Sept. 9, and "Now That I Have Cancer, What Should I Eat?" Sept. 10. Admission is free and open to all. For information, visit the Cancer Resource Room or call 4-1822.

Bowling League
The MGH/BWH Bowling League welcomes all Partners-affiliated employees to join its winter season. Games take place every Thursday, beginning Sept. 10, 5:15 pm, at the Ryan Family Center, at the corner of Landsdown Street and Brookline Avenue, Boston. For more information, call 6-4393.