BWHers Get Ready to Rock at Hurricane Relief Benefit Concert

The Big 6, a Harvard-based cover band formed by emergency physicians from the Brigham and staff from the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative (HHI), will hold a benefit concert on Sunday, Nov. 12, in Cambridge to raise funds for communities affected by hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.

“We wanted to get help directly to the field,” said bass guitarist Valerie Dobiesz, MD, MPH, of the Department of Emergency Medicine. “We know monetary donations are the most effective way to make a difference at the local level, and a benefit concert seemed like a fun way to get people together in support of an important cause.”

All proceeds from the event, hosted at Club Oberon, go directly to organizations providing humanitarian relief for affected areas, said singer and guitarist Michael VanRooyen, MD, MPH, chair of Emergency Medicine and founding director of HHI. The band will cover all expenses related to the performance and will match funds raised by ticket sales. In addition, a group of anonymous donors will provide matching funds.

The concert will feature covers of classic and contemporary rock music.

Band members all regularly participate in domestic and international humanitarian efforts. They recently learned from organizations they often work with that donations toward relief efforts had dropped off as this year’s devastating hurricane season went on.

“Contributions came in quickly for Texas with Harvey, then less funding came in for Irma for Florida. By the time Maria hit Puerto Rico, there was much less support because of donor fatigue,” VanRooyen said.

Playing an active role in providing relief efforts all around the world is part of the Brigham’s culture, VanRooyen said. A benefit concert offers a great opportunity to encourage more people to contribute to relief efforts, he added.

“People who are affected by crises like these are their own best resource,” VanRooyen said. “They do the hard work. All we’re doing is lending a helping hand.”

Since forming last fall, The Big 6 has played mostly in smaller, private settings. Although this performance marks the band’s first concert in a larger venue, its members are excited to take the leap.

“There’s no pressure at all. We take it seriously because we try to do well, but we just have a hilarious amount of fun together, and I think that translates every time we perform,” VanRooyen said. “If we can get a bunch of our friends and colleagues together and have fun for a good cause, then that is worth the price of admission.”

Rhythm guitarist and vocalist Tim Erickson, MD, chief of Emergency Medicine’s Division of Medical Toxicology, agreed that The Big Six – including its other members from HHI, Sam Plasmati and Isaac Baker – is excited for the big night.

“We love playing together, but it’s important for us that it’s for a cause and has an impact,” Erickson said. “We feel really blessed to have an opportunity to help.”

The Big Six Hurricane Relief Concert is Sunday, Nov. 12, 7 p.m., at Club Oberon, 2 Arrow St., Cambridge. To purchase tickets, click here or call 617-495-2668.

Q&A: Brigham PA Shares Passion for Profession, Education

National Physician Assistant (PA) Week is held every October to honor physician assistants’ substantial role in improving health. PAs are involved in nearly every facet of care at BWH.

Chioma Tomlinson

Chioma Tomlinson, MMS, PA-C II, who practices Internal Medicine and Primary Care at Brigham Circle Medical Associates, is one PA making a difference in the lives of patients, colleagues and trainees.

“Having had the good fortune of watching Chioma practice and teach medical trainees, I’m struck by how effective she is at immediately establishing rapport,” said Charles Morris, MD, MPH, associate chief medical officer and an attending physician at Brigham Circle Medical Associates. “She was the first PA in our practice, so she often was introducing not only herself in the exam room but also her profession. Her ability to quickly forge a connection is a skill at which she excels and then leverages to provide a superlative level of care.”

In this Q&A, Tomlinson shares why she loves her job and her commitment to helping educate the next generation of PAs.

What’s your favorite part of your work?

CT: Our team-based approach. It’s a pleasure for me to get to know many of our patients almost as well as their physician does. This dynamic helps us provide better continuity of care. It’s a privilege to be there as someone who can step in and is as invested in the patient’s overall health as their physician when issues arise that need immediate attention or that require frequent visits.

Why did you choose primary care?

CT: I value the relationships we have with our patients in primary care. Our ability to consistently provide quality care for any number of medical and/or psychosocial issues is often tethered to our ability to establish caring and trusting relationships. One example is management for illnesses such as hypertension and diabetes. Staying healthy for these patients often requires not only regularly taking medication but also making significant lifestyle modifications. I try to find common ground and talk to patients about how we can help them live their best lives.

You’re also a preceptor. What do you enjoy about educating PA students?

CT: I love what I do and enjoy sharing that fulfillment with students. I’m fortunate in that I teach students from a few local programs. It’s a nice opportunity to give back to the community that has given me so much. It’s inspiring to remember how much we learn during those didactic years and how stressful – but exciting – that time can be. I also like challenging students to think through the many ethical and professional issues in medicine and how they impact our practice as PAs.

What’s your advice for new PAs and PA students?

CT: It’s important for all of us to make sure our profession stays strong by honoring those who came before us, supporting those around us and fostering those who come after us. I encourage PAs to find a meaningful way to stay active in our community. Teaching, publishing, advocacy or trailblazing new opportunities are just a few examples of ways to stay engaged. Lastly, take pride in the fact that we’re part of a larger medical community with the common goal of providing the best care for our patients.

BWH Takes a Stand Against Workplace Bullying

From left: Annie Lewis-O’Connor, Dave Corbin and Henrietta Menco

Workplace bullying takes many forms, but they all have one thing in common: Abusive behaviors contribute to a hostile work environment that can lead to physical, emotional and even professional harm for the targets of abuse, witnesses and the bullies themselves.

That is why bullying must be dealt with seriously and swiftly – especially in a setting where patient care is at stake – asserted speakers during a recent panel discussion, “Diversity and Inclusion Rounds: Workplace Bullying.”

“Bullying is symptomatic of a larger issue around inclusion and respect,” said Sabrina Williams, MBA, chief diversity and inclusion officer and interim vice president of Human Resources, who served as moderator for the Oct. 2 event.

The event follows a recent announcement to all staff, jointly signed by hospital leadership, condemning workplace bullying and kicking off an anti-bullying campaign.

Williams opened the discussion by sharing Human Resources’ definitions of four types of abusive conduct: workplace bullying, lateral violence, microaggressions and cyberbullying. Each represents a pattern of behavior, intentional or sometimes unintentional, that inflicts harm on an employee or group of employees through physical or verbal actions or via posts on social media sites.

“Some people think workplace violence is physical, but that isn’t true. Bullying is a form of workplace violence,” said panelist Dave Corbin, director of Police, Security and Parking.

“It could affect a whole unit or department – silently eating away at everyone, including bystanders.”

Maddy Pearson, MSN, MA, RN, NEA-BC, chief nursing officer and senior vice president of Patient Care Services, recalled how several staff members mentioned to her when she joined the Brigham earlier this year that bullying and intimidation have been a problem in some areas. In one instance, a care team member no longer felt safe voicing an opinion about patient care after having been repeatedly bullied by a colleague.

“That was a tipping point for me,” Pearson said. “That scenario is never OK.”

Identifying and Shutting Down Bullying

While some instances of bullying are easy to spot, others are subtle, speakers explained. Panelists Annie Lewis-O’Connor, PhD, NP-BC, MPH, founder and director of BWH’s Coordinated Approach to Recovery and Empowerment (C.A.R.E.) Clinic, and Henrietta Menco, LICSW, CEAP, quality manager of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), used a role-play exercise to show how workplace bullying can unfold in less obvious ways.

Next, they explained and demonstrated a strategy for responding to bullying: Describe, Express, Suggest and Consequences (DESC). The conflict-resolution model uses direct, neutral language to express how the victim interpreted the situation, why it was problematic and an alternative way the exchange could have occurred.

“The person isn’t always open to the feedback, but it’s worth the effort to try,” said Leo Buckley Jr., executive director of Business Operations for Patient Care Services and Nursing, who attended the event. “Sometimes, when you call people out on this behavior, they’re awakened by it.”

Bystanders, who can also use the DESC model, should feel empowered to speak up on behalf of victims when they witness one colleague bullying another, speakers noted.

“These are tough and difficult conversations, but we all have a voice, and when we don’t use our voice, we’re giving permission for these behaviors,” Williams said. “Our goal is to provide our staff with tools and resources to help them find and use their voice in a productive manner when these situations occur.”

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BWHer Bikes 200 Miles to Support Pulmonary Hypertension Patients

Julie Tracy at the Race Across America Ohio Challenge

After pedaling for nearly 12 hours straight, Julie Tracy, an exercise physiologist in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, was elated to see her fiancé and her parents cheering for her at the finish line of a 200-mile charity cycling race in Ohio earlier this month.

Hopping off her bicycle, the longtime endurance athlete was greeted with more good news: Judges for the Race Across America Ohio Cycling Challenge informed Tracy, one of 11 cyclists this year and the only woman, that she had won second place. With a finishing time of 11 hours and 55 minutes, she had also beat the women’s record by 11 minutes.

But more than the personal accomplishments and athletic accolades, the most joyous part of the experience was racing with Team PHenomenal Hope in support of those affected by pulmonary hypertension, Tracy said. The funds she raised will go toward patient programming and research into improved treatments or a cure for pulmonary hypertension.

Pulmonary hypertension causes high blood pressure in the lungs, making the heart work harder to pump blood through the lungs and eventually the whole body. The condition has no cure and its cause is unknown. More serious cases can lead to severe health problems, including heart failure.

In her role at the Brigham, Tracy has worked closely with pulmonary hypertension patients in recent years, performing cardiopulmonary testing with the BWH Pulmonary Vascular Disease Program. Last year, she joined colleagues and several patients participating in the inaugural Boston O2 breathe Walk, a one-mile event sponsored by the Pulmonary Hypertension Association. After seeing the perseverance and optimism patients at the walk showed that day, Tracy felt compelled to do more.

“Everyday life is a lot more difficult for them, but they all finished the race and had a blast doing it,” Tracy said. “It reminded me how lucky I am and inspired me to use my racing in a positive way for our patients.”

While this was not Tracy’s first endurance event, it was by far her longest. Several years ago, she competed in an Ironman Triathlon – consisting of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile marathon. Prior to that, she competed in 100-mile rides and even one 120-mile race.

Despite the significant stamina demands for her latest ride, Tracy said her months of training paid off, as the race went smoothly. The biggest glitch that day was technical; the battery in her GPS died 15 miles from the finish line, requiring her to use her smartphone to complete the course.

Through Team PHenomenal Hope’s “Let Me Be Your Lungs” program, Tracy was also matched with a volunteer patient. Athletes race in honor of their match, and patients rally to support their athlete by providing encouragement or helping them with fundraising, according to the team’s website. Together, the duo work to raise awareness of the illness and the need for improved treatments and a cure.

Tracy was matched with a young patient living with pulmonary hypertension who had received care at BWH.

“Getting to know her was fun, and she was incredibly supportive and very thankful,” Tracy said. “Finishing this race meant a lot to both of us.”

New Online Tool Helps BWHers Find and Fix Things

Mark Zhang displays FixIt on an iPad.

A new website is making it easier than ever for staff to locate resources at the Brigham.

Known as FixIt, the web-based tool, accessible on desktop computers and mobile devices at fixit.brighamandwomens.org, contains a catalog of contact information for several departments. With just a few clicks or taps, staff can quickly request services and assistance with various tasks from their desk or on the go.

For example, if an employee sees a spill or a patient room that needs to be cleaned, he or she can open FixIt to notify Environmental Services, which will then dispatch someone to address the issue – eliminating the need to remember or locate phone or pager numbers. There is also an option to attach a photo of the incident to the request.

The website provides easy access to an extensive array of BWH departments and services, including Information Services (IS), Security, environmental chemical waste collection, Interpreter Services, Audiovisual Services and more.

Mark Zhang, DO, MMSc, medical director of Digital Health Implementation, has worked closely with Adam Landman, MD, MS, MIS, MHS, chief information officer at Brigham Health, and staff from the Brigham Digital Innovation Hub (iHub) and Partners IS to develop FixIt. With support from hospital leadership, the project was driven by the need to create a mobile-friendly site that could function as a hub for finding the appropriate facilities and operations contact information at BWH.

“The main reason we created this was to help Brigham staff,” Zhang said. “If FixIt can add value to someone’s day and make life a bit easier for them, then I think we’re headed in the right direction.”

BWH at Your Fingertips

When ideas began flowing about how FixIt could best help staff, Zhang said the group was initially focused on creating a tool that could assist with fixing and cleaning physical objects or locations. But after further discussion among the development team and with other groups in the hospital, it was determined that FixIt could offer more. Since then, developers have also added shortcuts to additional resources, including cafeteria menus and a real-time tracking tool for Partners HealthCare shuttles.

Beverly Hardy, iHub innovation strategy manager, has been testing the site. As someone who regularly has requests related to Audiovisual Services and Environmental Services, Hardy anticipates it will be a great time-saver.

“I’m very excited to have FixIt in my pocket,” Hardy said.

Pete Linck, manager of Office Services, and Angel Ayala, senior technician in Office Services, are excited about FixIt because it will allow them and their colleagues to communicate and collaborate across departments more often. “These things contribute to maximizing who we are as a team at BWH,” Linck said.

George Player, vice president for Facilities and Engineering, said it has been enjoyable working with Zhang and the development team to build out the menu of services and contacts for his departments. The benefits go both ways, he added, noting that he has received feedback from his own team about how the site will help them in their roles as well.

“Many staff feel that FixIt makes it very easy to check if a maintenance request has been submitted,” Player said. “I look forward to the continued use and development of it.”

Zhang says he’s excited to receive more feedback about FixIt and added that the team will likely expand it to offer new and different features down the line. The plan is for FixIt to be integrated in a future Brigham native mobile app.

To submit feedback about FixIt or suggest future enhancements, email hzhang37@partners.org.

Tip: Save FixIt to Your Smartphone’s Home Screen

To get even faster access to FixIt, save a shortcut on the home screen of your Apple or Android mobile device.

Apple Devices

Open Safari and go to fixit.brighamandwomens.org.

Tap the “Share” button and select “Add to Home Screen.”

Tap “Add.”

You should now see an icon on your home screen. Tap it to launch FixIt.

Android Devices

Open Chrome and go to fixit.brighamandwomens.org.

Tap the menu button and select “Add to Home Screen.”

Tap “Add.” If another prompt appears, tap “Add Automatically.”

You should now see an icon on your home screen. Tap it to launch FixIt.

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BWH Nurses Volunteer with Harvey Response

From left: Anne Fitzgerald, Dawn Kalil, Chantale Scutt and Diane Miller

Four Brigham nurses answered a call for help from a Texas hospital in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, a deployment organized by the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association (MHA) on Sept. 6.

Anne Fitzgerald, BSN, RN, and Dawn Kalil, BSN, RN, both clinical nurses on Tower 12A; Diane Miller, MPA/H, BSN, RN, nurse-in-charge on Tower 11C; and Chantale Scutt, MSN, RN, clinical nurse on Tower 11C, were among the 27 Massachusetts nurses and one cath lab technician who departed from Hanscom Field airport in Bedford to assist Bay Area Regional Medical Center (BARMC) in Webster, Texas, located just outside of Houston.

BARMC reached out to the MHA to seek support as the facility and its staff recover from the hurricane. Many staff members have lost their homes to the floodwaters, and they have been fighting exhaustion to stay on the job and deal with a spike in emergency department visits.

A nurse at the Brigham for 30 years, Miller said she’s grateful she could support local nurses and thanked her nursing director, Margaret Higgins, MSN, RN, of Tower 11C and 12A, for encouraging her to pursue this volunteer opportunity.

“I went into nursing because I wanted to help people,” Miller said. “Being able to help others who are in need really gets to the heart of nursing.”

In addition to caring for BARMC patients, Miller volunteered to support relief efforts in the community.

Kalil is assisting BARMC’s labor and delivery unit, which plans to open a new birthing center next week. She was happy to help her nursing colleagues, some of whom have worked more than 75 hours a week since Harvey made landfall.

“We are here to do everything we can to help,” Kalil said. “We know they’d do the same for us if we were in a similar situation.”

Brigham Nurse Collects Donations for Hurricane Harvey Survivors

Mary Hardiman, BSN, RN, says her heart felt full each morning when she saw what was waiting for her at home in Foxborough after working the night shift at BWH. There was a stack of donations in her driveway, ready to be delivered to those affected by Hurricane Harvey in Texas.

Knowing she wasn’t in the position to travel and help in person, Hardiman, a mother of four and a nurse in the ICU Float Pool, said she wanted to do something else to contribute to hurricane relief efforts. She solicited donations from family and friends via Facebook. Within minutes, people responded saying they also wanted to donate.

“It was amazing,” Hardiman said. “I’m so thankful to everyone in our community who contributed.”

After receiving donations such as clothing, nonperishable food items, toiletries and pet food, Hardiman made two drop-offs at the Boston Centers for Youth & Families’ Roche Family Community Center in West Roxbury, where trucks were loaded with supplies.

Hardiman was happy she could turn the collection into a teaching experience for her children, who range in age from 4 to 16, about the power of community service and the importance of helping others.

“They each had their own little part in helping make this drive a success,” she said.

Hardiman says she always tries to give back when she can because she remembers how many people helped her family when their resources were stretched thin. At that time, she was a mother to young children, attending nursing school and married to her high school sweetheart, who was in the Air Force.

“I remember what it was like to receive things you need and want when you have nothing,” she said. “I’m glad my family and I could play a small part in helping others who are in need.”

How BWHers Are Taming the Rising Tide of Medication Allergies

Win Thurber overcame a severe medication allergy thanks to a novel treatment he received at BWH.

The following is an excerpt from “Mastering Vigilance” in the summer issue of Brigham Health magazine. View the complete issue at magazine.brighamandwomens.org.

Win Thurber’s trip to the Brigham from his home in Alabama was a last resort.

For eight years, Thurber, 75, had been successfully treated for a recurrence of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma with the cancer drug rituximab, and was enjoying an active life as chairman and CEO of an international shipping company.

During his treatment, however, other aspects of Thurber’s health began to deteriorate. He couldn’t walk. He needed supplemental oxygen to breathe. Baffled by this sharp decline, Thurber’s physicians recommended he go to Boston to see specialists at BWH.

“The day I met Win, he was on oxygen, in a wheelchair and extremely weak,” said Mariana Castells, MD, PhD, director of the Drug Hypersensitivity and Desensitization Center in the Division of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy. “Some doctors thought it was a recurrence of his lymphoma. Some thought he had a connective tissue disorder.”

But after testing Thurber’s blood immunoglobulins, providers saw that rituximab – his chemotherapy – was actually what was causing his immune system to fail, Castells said.

Up to 10 percent of people worldwide suffer from allergic reactions to drugs, with symptoms ranging from rashes to anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction that can cause difficulty breathing and swelling of the face, throat and tongue. While allergies to foods, insect stings and latex can also cause anaphylactic shock, reactions to medications are the deadliest form of allergy in the United States.

‘This Treatment Saved My Life’

After Thurber’s B cells – and his cancer – were destroyed by rituximab, he needed an immediate revival of his immune system with an infusion of a blood plasma called gamma globulin.

For most people, the infusion goes smoothly, but Thurber developed a rare, life-threatening anaphylactic response to it.

“His body rejected the infusion since his immune system was so compromised. He had a severe allergic reaction,” Castells said.

His care team had to act quickly. The first step was to convince Thurber never to take rituximab again.

“I didn’t like the idea because I thought that’s what was keeping me alive by keeping my tumor at bay,” Thurber recalled. “But Dr. Castells warned, ‘No, it’s going to kill you because you have no immune system.’”

Next, Castells’ team desensitized him to gamma globulin with a sophisticated method of progressive injections of increasing doses over several hours to reach the target dose without allergic reactions. Once his body recovered, he resumed his cancer drug.

Each year, Castells’ team desensitizes 300 to 400 patients with drug allergies. Like Thurber, many of these patients come from far outside the Boston area.

A trailblazer in her field, Castells created a new model for desensitization for antibiotic allergies in her laboratory in the 1990s. Since then she has translated it to medications for cancer and autoimmune diseases, as well as insulin for diabetes. Desensitization treatments are still not the standard of care, so Castells travels worldwide teaching the techniques to others.

Thurber needs continued monthly infusions of gamma globulin using a strict drug administration protocol. Castells worked with an allergist in Alabama on a treatment plan so Thurber can safely receive infusions close to home. He began this regimen in 2010, and his tumor has not returned.

“This treatment saved my life,” Thurber says. “Now, I work full time, run and exercise like I used to, travel on a regular basis, and do everything I want in life.”

Video extra: Cancer survivor Win Thurber and his physician, Mariana Castells, MD, PhD, describe Thurber’s harrowing allergic reaction to medication and how he is thriving today.

BWHers Celebrate Everyday Excellence with Interactive Magnet Display

Interprofessional collaboration is embedded in the culture of Magnet-designated institutions.

Perhaps the only thing more surprising than hearing Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” play on Tower 8CD, the Burn, Trauma and Surgical Intensive Care Unit, was the visual that accompanied it: a patient dancing to the song in the hallway with one of her nurses, Michelle Andronaco, BSN, RN.

The patient had experienced a traumatic injury that required a long hospital stay. As she got to know her patient better, Andronaco learned she loved to dance and move – making it especially disheartening to be off her feet for so long.

As the two went on daily walks around the floor to help the patient rebuild her muscle tone, Andronaco made an unexpected proposal one day to help lighten her patient’s spirits: “Let’s go dancing this time and make it more fun,” she said. The patient readily agreed, and with the aid of a smartphone and a walker, they shimmied down the hallway that day with laughter.

Moments like this are just one example of the many ways BWH staff contribute to a culture focused on achieving outcomes that matter to patients and families while providing the highest-quality care in the safest environment.

These characteristics also reflect what it means to be a Magnet-designated hospital, the highest recognition given by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) for health care institutions providing exceptional patient care. BWH is pursuing Magnet designation to be formally recognized for the everyday excellence, teamwork and innovation demonstrated at the Brigham.

As part of this journey, staff are invited to contribute to an interactive display in the 75 Francis St. lobby by sharing how they exemplify four hallmarks of Magnet institutions – high-quality patient care, clinical excellence, innovations in professional practice and interprofessional collaboration – in their daily work. Stickers provided at a nearby table encourage staff to write about how their role exemplifies one or more of those categories.

In addition, BWH Bulletin recently asked staff from across the institution to reflect on how their role demonstrates the hallmarks of Magnet.

Andronaco said that, as a nurse, all four hallmarks play a role in the work she does every day to provide compassionate care and contribute to an environment that helps patients heal both physically and emotionally.

“Nurses are the constant at the bedside. We help all the teams come together, keep the lines of communication open and even take time to make our patients smile,” she said.

While the Magnet Recognition Program’s roots are in nursing, Magnet designation honors the work and culture of an entire institution.

Mohamed El-Dib, MD, director of Neonatal Neurocritical Care in the Department of Pediatric Newborn Medicine, said that innovation and interprofessional collaboration are at the foundation of his work as a physician and researcher.

“I work with a skillful and passionate multidisciplinary group, using cutting-edge technology,” El-Dib said. “We proudly work with families to provide the best care for sick infants and to help them reach their ultimate neurodevelopmental potential.”

Monique Cerundolo, MA, BCC, staff chaplain in Spiritual Care Services, also said interprofessional collaboration is tightly woven into her role.

“Chaplains collaborate as members of the clinical team to make BWH a welcoming, safe and hopeful place,” Cerundolo said. “As the Hispanic chaplain, I work closely with Hispanic social workers to provide culturally sensitive spiritual and emotional care to patients and families in their native language.”

All staff are invited to visit the new Magnet wall display in the 75 Francis St. lobby, near the Emergency Department, choose a sticker from the table and share reflections. If you work at an off-campus location and would like to participate, email your contribution to Steph Synoracki at ssynoracki@bwh.harvard.edu.

Williams Named First Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer

Sabrina Williams

Sabrina Williams, MBA, became Brigham Health’s first chief diversity and inclusion officer this month, establishing a focus on this important institutional value at the highest level of the organization.

Williams will identify initiatives to better support the recruitment, retention and advancement of staff whose backgrounds or identities are underrepresented in the workplace. She will also identify mechanisms for measuring progress in these efforts. At a broader level, Williams will collaborate with groups and individuals across Brigham Health to align existing work in these areas.

“A lot of work is already happening at the Brigham. We just need to do it in a more innovative, cohesive way,” she said. “It’s about amplifying this work to ensure we have an environment where everyone feels they have everything they need to succeed. It’s about unleashing the best in us.”

It’s important to establish a common language and universal understanding of what diversity and inclusion mean to Brigham Health, Williams said. While some interpret the phrase “diversity and inclusion” to mean diversity of ideas or as limited to one area, such as racial diversity, its scope is wider – also including gender, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation and religious belief. She added that a focus on diversity and inclusion fosters a culture of innovation and a foundation for organization-wide success.

“Inclusion is one of our core values, and we are a stronger organization when our workforce reflects the communities we serve,” said Brigham Health President Betsy Nabel, MD. “Sabrina possesses a depth of experience, expertise and passion that will help us ensure the Brigham remains a place where all feel welcome, respected and supported.”

Williams joined BWH earlier this year as interim vice president of Human Resources. She will continue to serve in that role until the newly appointed senior vice president of Human Resources, Paula Squires, MBA, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, joins Brigham Health this fall (see related story).

Williams has more than 15 years of experience as an HR senior executive. Prior to joining the Brigham, she was vice president of Human Resources at Neighborhood Health Plan. Prior to her role at NHP, she served as director of Human Resources for the Health Science Campuses at Tufts University. She has also held leadership roles at several nonprofit organizations, including the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts, South End Settlements and the Roxbury Community College Foundation.

Williams received a bachelor’s in Sociology and Economics from Brandeis University and a master’s in business administration from Simmons College School of Management.

Outside of work, Williams, a native of Jamaica, enjoys spending time with her husband, Rob, and stepdaughter, Courtney. In her spare time, she mentors young female professionals through The Boston Club. She is also currently writing a book of poetry and preparing to train for her third marathon.

Ready, Set, Innovate: Translational Accelerator Advances Innovation

The Weiner lab has an ambitious goal: to develop a nasal vaccine that will prevent and reverse the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

Their recent work in preclinical models has been encouraging, demonstrating an ability to prevent the accumulation of amyloid-beta plaques – the hallmark of the disease – and dramatically reduce the burden of these plaques in older mice, among other promising measures.

“We felt it was time to translate this work into people,” said Howard Weiner, MD, of the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases. “In our lab, we like to borrow the phrase from hockey of ‘shots on goal.’ Doing a clinical trial and getting a treatment into people that works, that’s how you score. Of course, not every shot works – most don’t. But to paraphrase Wayne Gretzky, you miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take. We wanted to take this shot.”

It was at that time that Weiner connected with the newly established Translational Accelerator – a resource and team at the Brigham designed to help researchers take those shots on goal.

Like many researchers, Weiner’s team had the data and the scientific knowledge to drive things forward. But getting a clinical trial off the ground can be a complex process to navigate, even for experienced investigators. That’s where the Translational Accelerator comes in. The group includes a core team of BWH Research leaders and more than a dozen highly skilled, internal advisors who offer rigorous scientific and strategic advisement on projects, particularly those with commercial potential.

For Weiner’s lab, working with the Translational Accelerator team has provided the infrastructure, support and advisement to give them the best chance of making their shot count.

Building Bridges, Making Connections

The Translational Accelerator provides researchers with access to business and scientific advisors, project management help, contact with visiting entrepreneurs, connections with external investors, business development resources, financial coaching, and guidance on clinical trial design and execution. In collaboration with the Partners HealthCare Innovation team, the group also provides intellectual property management and tech transfer support.

In addition to its Entrepreneurship & Innovation services, the Translational Accelerator aims to revolutionize translational medicine by advancing next-generation clinical trials. Next-generation clinical trials are those that can match patients with the treatments and tests that may be most effective for them, given their particular genetic and physical makeup. This potentially allows a trial to be conducted with fewer patients and a higher likelihood of success.

“We believe the Translational Accelerator is a critical resource for our entire faculty – both early-career investigators who may be conducting a clinical trial for the first time as well as seasoned experts who have plenty of personal experience, but who can benefit from having an infrastructure of support for launching innovative trials,” said Allison Moriarty, MPH, vice president of Research Administration and Compliance and a member of the accelerator team’s advisory committee.

Researchers can also draw from the team’s expertise in using existing scientific and clinical resources, such as IT infrastructure or data from more than 9 million patients.

“Across our research community, BWH has tremendous breadth and depth of knowledge on all aspects of getting a clinical trial off the ground, but unless an individual investigator is incredibly savvy, it can be hard to leverage disparate expertise and resources effectively,” Moriarty said. “The Translational Accelerator is designed to build bridges and help investigators navigate, and optimize use of, these resources.”

Removing Barriers

The Entrepreneurship & Innovation team of the Translational Accelerator began working with Weiner six months ago, just as his lab was beginning to design the clinical trial phase of their project. Together, they thought through the manufacturing process to make sure that the drug would be ready in time; tracked the different components needed for Federal Drug Administration approval; developed a business plan; and helped usher the project through all necessary steps for Institutional Review Board approval.

Weiner anticipates that if all goes smoothly, clinical trials for the nasal vaccine for Alzheimer’s could begin next year.

“I’ve been involved in translating basic research into the clinic for the last three decades,” said Weiner. “I have a lot of translational research experience, but I can’t do this alone. I needed the Translation Accelerator’s structure and support – that team has been crucial for this project, and we’re now working on other projects with them as well.”

Learn more at bwhtranslation.org.

Aware Because We Care: New Security Campaign Targets Tailgating

Dave Corbin demonstrates “Stop, Challenge, Assist” with role-players (from left) Brenda Carey-Mullaney and Angela Covington.

“It happens every day.”

This was the reaction many BWHers had after watching two provocative videos depicting scenarios in which an unauthorized person accessed a secure area because staff held the door or weren’t aware of their surroundings.

Although the videos showed the worst-case outcomes for these situations, “tailgating” is a common security breach at hospitals across the country. At the Brigham, a new campaign centered on the two videos aims to empower all staff to prevent tailgating by giving them the resources they need to take action.

“We have about 1,200 restricted areas in the hospital that require badge access or a key to enter,” said Dave Corbin, CPP, CHPA, director of Security. “But if people are able to follow behind a staff member without permission, the card readers and locks aren’t effective. That’s why we’re asking all employees to be aware and look behind them every time they use their badge or a key to enter one of these areas.”

Corbin and Erin McDonough, MBA, senior vice president and chief communication officer, held 16 half-hour sessions in Bornstein Amphitheater over two days. During the event, employees viewed the videos, learned tactics to prevent tailgating and engaged in discussion.

“These sessions were excellent and truly necessary,” said Diane Bemis of the Renal Division and the Division of Engineering in Medicine. “When I first saw the infant video, I was floored and realize now just how a scenario like this could happen. All hospitals should be doing a campaign like this for their employees.”

During the sessions, employees acted out various scenarios following the “Stop, Challenge, Assist” response that Corbin explained (see box below). This response enables staff to engage in a conversation with someone who may be trying to gain access, without being confrontational, and to direct them to Security or a proper access point.

“We want you to use the Stop, Challenge, Assist method, but if at any point you feel threatened or uncomfortable engaging with someone, we ask that you simply call Security and provide their description,” Corbin stressed. “We would never want an employee to put themselves in harm’s way, but we do need you to take that step of calling us for the safety of everyone.”

Athena Lacaire, an Obstetrical Admitting officer who participated in the role-play during one of the sessions, said the information she learned was empowering. “The videos made my heart pound, but it was reassuring to know that just by looking up and being aware, you can make a difference in preventing someone from gaining access,” she said.

Corbin emphasized the difference employees can make simply by being vigilant.

“If all 18,000 of our employees are engaged in this, our level of security is much greater,” Corbin said. “We’re asking people to be aware of their surroundings, just as you’re asked to do when you ride the MBTA or go to the airport, for example.”

The hospital recently created an Access Control policy that requires all employees to be responsible for ensuring that no one enters an area under their ID badge access without permission. To view the policy, campaign videos, FAQs and other resources, visit BWHPikeNotes.org.

‘They Have Been Our Role Models’: Residents Honor Nurses

Internal Medicine residents celebrate their nurse colleagues for their commitment to collaboration and excellence.

When a patient in the Integrated Teaching Unit on Tower 10BA had an allergic reaction to a medication, his care team rushed in to help. Amid the flurry of activity in trying to help the distressed patient, one nurse’s compassionate, calming presence made a lasting impression on Simin Lee, MD, MBA, a first-year resident on rounds.

That nurse was John Solman, RN, who was one of eight Brigham nurses honored during the 17th annual Internal Medicine Nursing Awards on June 8. Residents established the awards to recognize nurses for their commitment to care and mentorship.

“I looked around and John was there, ready to help. He said to me, ‘It’s going to be okay,’” Lee said. “He’s consistently demonstrated that same compassion, warmth and strength with his patients and the people he works with.” Addressing Solmon directly, she added: “It’s such an honor and pleasure to learn from you.”

Jessica Hoy, MD, a third-year resident, nominated nurse care coordinator Caroline Melia, of Brigham and Women’s Primary Care Associates at South Huntington, for the award. “She single-handedly manages our most complex patient cases and navigates the complicated medical system for both patients and providers,” said Hoy.

Sarah Brown, MD, a fourth-year resident, says the nurses she works with are invaluable mentors in her own education.

“They have been our role models and have taught us a lot of what we know about being physicians and being part of a care team,” said Brown, who served as emcee for the ceremony. “We honor not only the nurses who were nominated for these awards, but also all of the nurses who care for our patients and for us throughout our years of residency.”

Eleven winners were selected from 59 nominees at BWH, BWFH and the Boston Veteran’s Administration Health System hospital in West Roxbury, where Internal Medicine residents rotate.

BWH Recipients:

Monica Crowley, MSN, RN
Cardiology, Shapiro 9/10

Stewart Fenniman, RN
Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, Shapiro 9 East

Lindsey Mansfield, BSN, RN, PCCN
General Medicine Services, Tower 14CD

Caroline Melia, RN
nurse care coordinator, Brigham and Women’s Advanced Primary Care Associates, South Huntington

Alice Morrison, MSN, RN
nurse care coordinator, Care Coordination

Maria Schaller, RN
Medical Intensive Care Unit, Tower 3BC

John Solman, BSN, RN
Integrated Teaching Unit, Tower 10BA

Nori Vincitorio, MSN, RN
Oncology/BMT, Tower 6A

Trainees Help Expand the Reach of Pharmacy Services

Channel De Leon (center) chats with pharmacy students Hannah Kwon and Ryan Fan on Shapiro 8W before seeing patients.

When Channel De Leon, PharmD, BCGP, joined the Integrated Care Management Program (iCMP) four years ago as a senior pharmacist – and the program’s only pharmacist – one thing quickly became apparent to her. There wasn’t a way she could manage 3,000 medically complex patients on her own, especially given that an average iCMP patient takes 17 medications.

De Leon realized the best way to expand the breadth of the program and enhance patient care was to bring pharmacy students on board and teach them about enhancing transitions of care. In partnership with BWH Pharmacy Services, she began training students from Northeastern University and the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in 2014.

Since then, dozens of pharmacy students have completed rotations with De Leon. The students have contributed to improving medication reconciliation and adherence, helping patients save thousands in out-of-pocket costs and resolving hundreds of medical discrepancies at critical transitions of care.

For patients with complex medical conditions or multiple co-morbidities, navigating the health care system can be a challenging experience. The goal of iCMP is to help patients stay healthy through proactive care coordination and interdisciplinary support. In addition to a pharmacist, the iCMP team includes registered nurse care coordinators, social workers, community resource specialists and community health workers – all of whom work closely with a patient’s primary care physician.

“Having students as part of the program means there is more time to provide education directly to patients about their medications, and this is also a great learning experience for students before graduating,” De Leon said.

Lower Medication Expenses, Better Health

Pharmacy students on the team have a lot of face-to-face conversations with patients about medication management. Students counsel patients about their medications and assess barriers to medication adherence.

“A big factor is the cost of certain medications. We teach patients about insurance deductibles and look for resources that will help patients access the medications they need,” De Leon said.

If a patient goes home from the hospital on a new medication, the student ensures it’s affordable for the patient and, if not, works to resolve the issue prior to discharge. This process avoids gaps in treatment and unexpected out-of-pocket costs upon discharge. One student recently helped a patient save more than $10,000 in out-of-pocket costs by identifying a different insurance plan with better coverage for the patient’s specific medications.

The program is mutually beneficial to students and patients. Magie Pham, PharmD, who completed a rotation with De Leon last fall and graduated from Northeastern’s pharmacy program in May, said the skills she learned at BWH were invaluable to her training.

“While you’re in pharmacy school, you think to yourself, ‘I have to study and memorize all of these drugs,’ but communication is an equally key skill on a day-to-day basis,” Pham said. “Channel gave us guidance on everything from how to appropriately email someone to how to best communicate with patients. I never felt lost.”

Pham was among the group of pharmacy students who helped host a Medicare Part D Fair at BWH last fall. During the event, patients were paired with a student who walked them through the various Medicare D plans and identified the most affordable options based on the patient’s medication list and pharmacy preferences. By the end of the fair, students had helped patients collectively save nearly $7,000 in out-of-pocket costs.

De Leon hopes to offer the fair again this year and send students into community settings, such as senior housing complexes, which are more convenient to many patients.

Incorporating pharmacy students into iCMP has enabled the program to extend the reach of its pharmacy services, which are vital to safety and quality of care, said Lisa Wichmann, MS, RN, ACM, NC-BC, nursing director of Ambulatory Care Coordination.

“In some of our specialized programs, such as the End-Stage Renal Disease Program, Channel and her students review the medications for opportunities to reduce polypharmacy (the use of multiple drugs or more than are medically necessary) and enhance medication safety,” Wichmann said. “They’ve been able to make recommendations about simplifying the medication regime taken by some of our high-risk patients.”

Update on BWH’s Magnet Journey

In April, BWH submitted evidence of the hospital’s commitment to quality patient care, clinical excellence, interprofessional collaboration and innovation for consideration as a Magnet-designated hospital. While the Magnet Recognition Program’s roots are in nursing, the designation honors the work and culture of an entire institution.

“It really is a remarkable body of evidence illustrating the great work we do every day at the Brigham,” said Lisa Morrissey, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, interim chief nursing officer and senior vice president of Patient Care Services, at Town Meeting on May 25. “Many of you contributed to our Magnet submission, and I look forward to sharing this journey with all of you as we continue the path to becoming a Magnet hospital.”

Magnet Recognition Program appraisers are reviewing BWH’s submission. If accepted, BWH will receive dates for a site visit, which would likely occur this fall. Appraisers will observe how the Brigham delivers exceptional patient experiences.

Learn more about BWH’s journey to Magnet designation at BWHPikeNotes.org/Magnet.

Women’s Health Luncheon Focuses on Neurology

Physician-scientist Reisa Sperling talks about advances in Alzheimer’s research.

Amid efforts to discover cures for neurologic diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and Alzheimer’s disease, several BWH researchers are asking a related question: Why are these illnesses so much more prevalent in women than in men?

Speakers explored that issue during the 12th annual Women’s Health Luncheon, a fundraising event presented by the Mary Horrigan Connors Center for Women’s Health, held at the Westin Boston Waterfront on May 12. The luncheon, titled “Great Minds Don’t Work Alike: The Science of Women and the Brain,” also included an introduction to the center’s new executive director, Hadine Joffe, MD, MSc.

During the event, BWH researchers shared various examples of sex-based discrepancies. They noted that women have higher rates of depression, anxiety, Alzheimer’s and MS. Speakers also pointed out that neurologic diseases, mood disorders and cognitive decline often go hand in hand with another serious condition: heart disease.

“What’s good for the heart is good for the brain,” said JoAnn Manson, MD, DrPH, chief of the Division of Preventive Medicine, who spoke to the audience about the overlapping risk factors and prevention strategies between the two categories of disease.

Pointing to a recent cohort study and findings from randomized clinical trials, Manson said that there is an increasingly strong case for the link between the heart and brain. Traditional heart disease risk factors – smoking, hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes and obesity – were found to correlate with the presence of amyloid plaques in the brain, a protein whose buildup is associated with Alzheimer’s.

Manson also highlighted the growing evidence that exercise, adequate sleep and healthy dietary patterns – including the Mediterranean Diet, which emphasizes plant-based foods and healthy fats like extra virgin olive oil – all play a vital role in promoting healthy cognitive aging.

Early detection and diagnosis are other key areas of opportunity for discovery, said Reisa Sperling, MD, MMSc, director of the Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment. For a long time, the telltale signs of Alzheimer’s – protein plaques and tangles in the brain – could only be identified postmortem. Today’s advanced imaging technologies make it possible to see these changes in the brain during life, although they are typically identified in the later stages of the disease, which is when symptoms become apparent.

Sperling’s research focuses on identifying those indicators much sooner, during what she calls “preclinical Alzheimer’s disease,” and using that data to develop novel therapies that would prevent symptoms from ever manifesting. The clinical trial to study this, known as the Anti-Amyloid Treatment in Asymptomatic Alzheimer’s (A4) Study, is ongoing and continues to enroll participants at A4study.org.

“This is the way we’re really going to win the war against Alzheimer’s disease,” Sperling said.

Money raised at this year’s luncheon will fund women’s health research within the Connors Center and the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases. Through a combination of traditional donations and a new text-to-donate program debuted at the luncheon, the event raised more than $500,000 for women’s health research. The total includes a $50,000 match by Audrey McNiff, an advisory board member for the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases.

Brigham Health President Betsy Nabel, MD, thanked supporters for their dedication and generosity, which she said “has allowed us to transform the future of medicine.”

Among the 300 attendees were Lauren Baker, the first lady of Massachusetts; Rep. Joseph Kennedy III; and former Gov. Mitt Romney and Ann Romney, who shared her personal story as an MS patient and her commitment to raising awareness and funds that will accelerate the discovery of treatments and cures for neurologic diseases among women and men.

Haas-Kogan Honored With HMS Professorship

Daphne Haas-Kogan

On May 9, Daphne Haas-Kogan, MD, chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology at Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center (DF/BWCC), was selected for the Radiation Oncology Professorship at Harvard Medical School (HMS). The professorship pays tribute to her lifelong commitment to the field of radiation oncology.

During a celebration held in HMS’ Gordon Hall, Haas-Kogan said she was “eternally grateful” to be chosen.

Haas-Kogan, who joined DF/BWCC in 2015, explained that one of her aspirations in life has always been to treat children with cancer.

“Looking at all of you today, I know with certainty that you are granting me this wish in spades,” said Haas-Kogan to family, friends, colleagues, trustees, donors and others at the event. “I am honored and so genuinely and deeply privileged to be part of your team. I get excited when I think about how we can change the world together. I cannot wait to change the world with you.”

Endowed professorships are the highest honor HMS confers on its faculty, held by less than 3 percent of the school’s 11,000 faculty members.

Before being presented with a framed citation, Haas-Kogan was introduced with remarks from George Daley, MD, PhD, dean of HMS; her three children, Shira, Yonatan and Maetal; former colleague Sean McBride, MD, MPH, of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; and Brigham Health President Betsy Nabel, MD.

Nabel, who helped recruit Haas-Kogan to DF/BWCC, thanked her for her leadership and commitment to patients.

“Daphne is a brilliant physician-scientist who cares deeply about her patients,” Nabel said. “She’s also a very thoughtful and collaborative leader who brings a depth of experience, not only in patient care, research innovation and teaching, but also administratively. The chemistry was a perfect fit.”

Haas-Kogan’s children thanked their mother – addressing her as their “Ima,” which translates to “mother” from Hebrew – for being a role model they look up to every day.

“Through every fiber of my mom’s being runs a ceaseless passion, evident to anyone who spends five minutes with her, for helping and supporting those less fortunate,” said Maetal Haas-Kogan. “Ima, thank you for teaching me the meaning of integrity and honor as you embark on this incredible journey.”

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New Blood Test May Simplify Screening for Gestational Diabetes

Researcher Pamela Ghosh, first author of the paper, with physician-scientist Jose Halperin

A single blood test developed by BWH researchers may be able to identify, with a high level of precision, gestational diabetes in pregnant women nearing the end of their second trimester. If proven as a reliable diagnostic tool, it would reduce the need for many women to undergo the multiple, time-consuming tests that are the current standard of care.

Investigators found that a single measurement of a novel biomarker for diabetes known as plasma glycated CD59 (GCD59), performed at weeks 24-28 of gestation, was able to identify women who had failed the standard of care screening test as well as women with confirmed gestational diabetes. The findings were published in a recent issue of Diabetes Care.

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs during a woman’s pregnancy. It increases the mother’s risk of delivering an infant whose birth weight is greater than the 90th percentile for their gestational age, which can lead to preterm birth, fetal injury, stillbirth, early neonatal death and cesarean delivery. Gestational diabetes is also a risk factor for two complications in pregnancy related to blood pressure: preeclampsia and gestational hypertension. Since treatment of gestational diabetes can lessen the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, practice guidelines recommend screening all non-diabetic pregnant women for the disease.

The current standard of care to both screen and diagnose gestational diabetes involves a two-step approach that can be time-consuming, cumbersome and uncomfortable for patients – driving the need for a more patient-friendly alternative, say BWH researchers.

In the standard approach, called the glucose challenge test, a patient consumes a sugary drink and undergoes blood sugar measurement in the lab one hour later. Women who fail this screening must take a longer test that requires fasting overnight, drinking a more concentrated sugar solution and undergoing baseline and hourly blood draws for three hours. Glucose tests like these are currently the only methods used to diagnose gestational diabetes.

“Ours is the first study to demonstrate that a single measurement of plasma GCD59 can be used as a simplified method to identify women who are at risk for failing the glucose challenge test and are at higher risk for developing gestational diabetes,” says Jose Halperin, MD, director of the Hematology Laboratory for Translational Research and senior author of the publication.

Findings at a Glance

The team studied 1,000 pregnant women who were receiving standard prenatal care at BWH. Half had normal results in the glucose challenge test; half had failed the first screening and required the follow-up test. Researchers found that the median amount of GCD59 in the second group’s blood was 8.5 times higher than that of women with a normal glucose challenge test result.

The researchers also found that higher plasma GCD59 levels at gestational weeks 24-28 were associated with a greater prevalence of babies whose birth weight was high for their gestational age. Increased levels of the biomarkers indicated a higher risk.

“Our studies opened an avenue for larger multicenter studies to further assess the clinical utility of plasma GCD59 for screening and diagnosis of gestational diabetes among the general population of the United States,” Halperin said. “If our results are confirmed, we’re hopeful that the GCD59 test could be available in clinical practices within the next few years.”

Brigham Health’s Strategy in Action: Scalable Innovation
Learn more about our strategic priorities at BWHPikeNotes.org.

‘40 Under 40’ Lists Honor Brigham Staff

Some “40 under 40” honorees, from left: Aiden Feng, Peter Chai, Sarah Collins, Jayender Jagadeesan and Jeff Greenberg. See the complete list of BWHers at the end of this article.

Recently, 13 rising stars in science, medicine and innovation at the Brigham were named on two separate “40 under 40” lists for their work to improve health care. The lists were compiled by Medtech Boston, an online publication highlighting medical innovation, and the National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF), a research and educational organization that strives to prepare the U.S. health system to provide optimal care for a diverse society.

Ten health care innovators from the Brigham were highlighted on Medtech Boston’s “40 Under 40 Health Care Innovators” list, which is made up of physicians, entrepreneurs, policy makers, students and others. Honorees were chosen for their commitment and contributions to improving health care.

Three BWHers received the NMQF’s 40 Under 40 Leaders in Health Awards, which honor influential, young minority leaders making a difference in health care.

Success comes in many forms, and the right career path isn’t always obvious at first, noted honorees. They advised up-and-coming health care professionals to pursue roles or areas of focus that align with their passions.

Internal Medicine resident Bradford Diephuis, MD, MBA, didn’t set out to become a physician; he started his career on Wall Street. It wasn’t until he became ill that he realized he wanted to help others heal. After graduating from Harvard Medical School last year, he joined the Brigham in July. Diephuis – who was recognized on the Medtech Boston list for his work here and for co-founding a digital health startup called Herald Health – knows he made the right decision to step into health care.

For Sarbattama (Rimi) Sen, MD, a neonatologist and researcher in the Department of Pediatric Newborn Medicine, being named to the “40 under 40” list by Medtech Boston was a great honor. At the Brigham, Sen’s research is focused on children of obese mothers and understanding why they face health and developmental challenges throughout their lives. She encourages her colleagues to find fields they are passionate about and roles that make them want to come to work every day.

“Once you find it, stick with it,” Sen says. “You might face a lot of challenges along your path, but never give up.”

‘This Is a Family’

Early-career BWHers honored on the two lists said the culture at the Brigham makes it the ideal place to follow their dreams. Sasha DuBois, MSN, RN, a nurse administrator who was among those recognized by the NMQF, says she’s grateful to be part of an institution that encourages professional growth.

Ever since walking through the doors of the Brigham 15 years ago as a high school junior in the Student Success Jobs Program, DuBois has felt empowered to carry out her dream of becoming a nurse. Whether she was interested in going back to school to earn her master’s degree or looking for new opportunities within the Brigham, DuBois said her colleagues have always been willing to lend an ear and offer advice.

“The support and encouragement I’ve received has been life-changing,” DuBois said. “This is more than just a job; this is a family.”

Health care innovator Aiden Feng, MD, MBA, an Internal Medicine intern and resident in the Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, noted how he tremendously values the opportunities and support he has received at BWH. Feng, who was named on the Medtech Boston list, is also the co-founder Pillo Health, a startup company that has developed a personal home health robot.

“As a physician, I’m here to make others’ lives simpler, happier and healthier,” he said. “In medicine, this goal can often get lost in the midst of making intricate diagnoses or building lengthy treatment plans. But I’ve found that the Brigham values a humanistic approach to health care and cares for the person in the patient.”

Vin Gupta, MD, MSc, a fellow in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, whose primary research interests surround pandemic preparedness and responses to global health events, was included on the NMQF list. Also a commissioned officer in the U.S. Air Force Medical Corps, Gupta said his favorite part about working at the Brigham is the culture – one that fosters growth through an emphasis on creativity and provides fertile terrain for those interested in alternative career paths, such as health policy.

“To be a part of a community that recognizes that this type of path is encouraged and celebrated means so much to me,” Gupta said. “You can be a doctor anywhere, but it’s rare that an institution such as the Brigham will provide the intellectual and logistical space to perform multidisciplinary work.”

Medtech Boston 40 Under 40

Omar Badri, MD
Internal Medicine Residency Program; Harvard Combined Dermatology Residency Training Program

Peter Chai, MD, MMS
Department of Emergency Medicine; Division of Medical Toxicology

Sarah Collins, PhD, RN
Division of General Internal Medicine and Primary Care; Clinical Informatics Partners eCare at Partners HealthCare

Bradford Diephuis, MD, MBA
Internal Medicine Residency Program

Aiden Feng, MD, MBA
Internal Medicine Residency Program; Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine

Amy Flaster, MD, MBA
Division of General Internal Medicine and Primary Care; Partners HealthCare Center for Population Health

Jeff Greenberg, MD, MBA
Division of General Internal Medicine and Primary Care; Brigham Innovation Hub

Jayender Jagadeesan, PhD
Department of Radiology

Ravi Parikh, MD, MPP
Internal Medicine Residency Program

Sarbattama (Rimi) Sen, MD
Department of Pediatric Newborn Medicine

National Minority Quality Forum 40 Under 40

Sasha DuBois, MSN, RN
Nursing Services

Vinay Gupta, MD, MSc
Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine

Latrice Landry, PhD, MS, MMSc
Department of Pathology

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