Verella Moore takes walks during her lunch break as part of her commitment to a healthier lifestyle.

Verella Moore, an administrator coordinator and medical assistant in Ambulatory Services at 850 Boylston St., knew she had to get serious about quitting smoking if she wanted to improve her health and save money.

After many unsuccessful attempts to quit on her own, she turned to Partners in Helping You Quit (PiHQ), a smoking cessation study whose participants are BWH and Partners HealthCare employees. She said PiHQ changed her life forever.

“It was my saving grace,” Moore said. “I remember sitting at my desk when an email from Partners in Helping You Quit popped up. I knew in that moment that I was ready to do whatever it took to kick my bad habit. Realizing that I wasn’t in this fight alone meant everything to me.”

The PiHQ study was launched in 2015 to help employees and their adult dependents cut down and quit smoking. Enrollment is open and ongoing.

PiHQ is designed to build on the health insurance benefit for Partners employees enrolled in Partners medical coverage. Smoking cessation medications, like the nicotine patch or varenicline (Chantix) are covered without a copay. PiHQ is designed to build on that benefit to give smokers the best chance to succeed in becoming smoke-free. The study is testing which of two programs is most effective. Participants are randomly assigned to either PIHQ or a state-run smoking cessation program. Each program provides a personal tobacco coach and offers help that is private, confidential and tailored to employees’ needs.

“Tobacco coaches complete an initial call with every smoker in the study. Together, they develop a treatment plan that includes medication and counseling support,” said Jennifer Kelley, PiHQ tobacco coach. “We understand that quitting smoking can be a challenge and there is no reason to go through it alone.”

Patty Pizzano, operations coordinator for Brigham and Women’s Faulker Hospital’s Emergency Department, also joined the study. She started smoking in her late teens and would smoke anywhere from five cigarettes to a pack in a day.

Pizzano said she was surprised at how easy it was to quit with help from her tobacco coach. When she did struggle, her smoking cessation medication was adjusted. At one point, she added nicotine lozenges and did behavior change exercises that were suggested by her coach to help alleviate cravings and manage triggers to smoke.

“It’s a burden lifted,” Pizzano said. “I am no longer worried about uncomfortable situations and where I’m going to smoke. Someone told me it’s the most important thing I can do for my life and my health, and I think that is absolutely true. I feel confident that I can walk a little further or run a little farther. I even joined a gym.”

Smoke-free for several months now, Moore said she appreciates the regular check-ins from PiHQ because they are a reminder that people are rooting for her.

“I had to change my way of thinking,” Moore said. “You have to want to quit for yourself before you do it for anyone else.”
To learn more about the PiHQ study, call 617-724-2205 or email PiHQ@partners.org.

Pothik Chatterjee and Dani Monroe

You don’t have to manage hundreds of people or be in a leadership position to embrace the values of diversity and inclusion, says Dani Monroe, chief diversity and inclusion officer at Partners HealthCare.

Since Monroe joined Partners a year ago in the newly created position, she has been working to develop and implement an innovative diversity and inclusion strategy across Partners.

On March 13, Monroe spoke to an audience in Bornstein Amphitheater about these values during an interview-style discussion moderated by Pothik Chatterjee, MBA, director of Business Development and Strategic Planning for the BWPO and co-chair of the Brigham Health LGBT and Allies Employee Resource Group, which sponsored the event.

When diversity and inclusion aren’t cultivated at an organization, opportunities are missed and untapped talent goes to waste, Monroe said. From a business perspective, it can mean not having the appropriate insight to get a footing in diverse markets, she explained. Internally, a lack of diversity can limit innovation if staff or job candidates don’t feel welcome, supported and safe bringing forward their perspectives.

“When employees – whether they’re women, people of color or members of the LGBT community – enter an organization, they look for people like themselves. What they see or experience sends a signal about how successful they can be in an organization,” Monroe said.

The LGBT and Allies Employee Resource Group organized the event to help ensure that conversations about diversity and inclusion are ongoing, Chatterjee said.

“Talking about these issues is especially important, given the uncertainty felt by many people across the country in recent years,” he said.

Many of Partners’ institutions are in different places in developing their diversity and inclusion work, Monroe said. Regardless of where the entities are in their process, she noted it is important to develop two or three evidence-based goals that are consistently applied across the Partners family. Some examples of these goals are included in the Partners 2.0 opportunity statement, such as communicating and collaborating across the continuum of care and increasing the diversity of our workforce in order to advance our mission.

“We are this big family, and those inclusive leadership behaviors will help us make decisions for the whole system,” Monroe said. “If we make better decisions for the system, then better decisions will be made for each of the institutions in the long term.”
Since joining Partners, Monroe and her colleagues have been training leaders and their teams in creating diversity and inclusion action plans. The teams have since met with Monroe and spoken about ways to move these values forward in several areas – leadership accountability, HR processes, procedures and policies, and community service – in their departments. Now, Monroe and her team are following up to see what has succeeded and what challenges remain.

While much progress has been made in recent years, the work around diversity and inclusion never stops, Monroe said. Regardless of external factors, our focus as a community is to ensure all who enter our doors feel safe, physically and emotionally, she said.

“Whatever the environment is, you keep doing the work,” she said. “We have to be bolder than we’ve ever been before.”

Rebecca Riff trains for the marathon with the BWH team in Brookline.

This is the first article in a weekly series profiling runners participating in this year’s Boston Marathon on behalf of BWH.

As Rebecca Riff was undergoing treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma at BWH, she set a simple goal: walk 20 minutes every day.

Each step was slow and exhausting. It was a humbling moment for Riff, then 32 years old and a three-time marathon runner. The chemotherapy and radiation treatments beating back the cancer in her lymph nodes had weakened her body. Even so, she recalled, those daily walks in 2006 were deeply rewarding.

“It was this feeling of being outside, moving and alive,” she said. “I just told myself, ‘Put one foot in front of the other.’”

Riff repeated that mantra the following year as she ran her fourth marathon. Now, a decade later, she finds herself saying those words again as she prepares to run her fifth marathon – this time with BWH’s Stepping Strong Marathon Team on April 17.

In addition to wanting to give back to the hospital that helped save her life, Riff says she was moved by the mission of The Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation. Reny, a 2013 Boston Marathon bombing survivor, received lifesaving care at BWH after the bombings and established the center with her family to fuel research and clinical programs to advance trauma healing.

“I felt inspired by Gillian and others who have faced obstacles and have been able to – through their strength and the support of their medical teams and families – get stronger each day,” said Riff, now a 43-year-old mother of three who lives in Manchester-by-the-Sea. “That theme really resonated with me.”

Like many others, Riff was deeply affected by the 2013 tragedy. The response that followed gave her hope for “the city I love like a family member,” she said.

“I was in awe of the first responders, bystanders and the ways in which Boston’s hospitals, including BWH, dealt with the tragedy,” Riff said. “The life- and limb-saving medical care that took place at BWH is simply astonishing.”

Running for a ‘Remarkable Institution’

At BWH, Riff has been a patient of Peter Mauch, MD, and more recently Andrea Ng, MD, both of Radiation Oncology. In addition, their research focuses on an area that affects Riff and other Hodgkin’s patients: the long-term effects of radiation, such as increased risk of breast cancer and cardiac disease, as well as best practices for screenings and other post-treatment care. Riff says that knowing her physicians are working on these issues – in addition to the exceptional care they provide – makes her appreciate being a BWH patient.

“I have long admired BWH not just for the high-quality, compassionate care I have received but also for the excellence in care across specialties and the level of innovation and groundbreaking research that has taken and continues to take place at BWH. It’s a remarkable institution,” Riff said.

As she gets ready to run this year’s marathon, Riff has been keeping her old mantra in mind while training with other runners participating on the Stepping Strong team.

“It brings me back to that feeling that I had in 2006,” she said. “I have moments when I remind myself to keep putting one foot in front of the other and think about the people I’m raising money for and all they’ve had to endure. These things keep me going when I’m feeling tired or sore.”

To learn more about the BWH marathon program, visit crowdrise.com/steppingstrongboston2017.

Email Address Transition Begins March 13

Starting on Monday, March 13, BWH and BWFH employees’ email addresses will be transitioned from the @partners.org domain to @bwh.harvard.edu. On Monday, employees whose last name starts with the letter Z will be automatically transitioned, and other groups, organized by the first letter of the employee’s last name, will follow. Visit BWHPikeNotes.org for more information.

Transgender Health Panel Discussion

Providers and patients will share experiences of best practices and challenges in health care. Wednesday, March 29, 12:30-1:30 p.m., in Bornstein Amphitheater. Hosted by the LGBT & Allies Employee Resource Group and LGBTQ PFAC Council.

Patient Safety Award Nominations

Nominate a colleague, a team or yourself for the fourth annual Safety Matters: Patient Safety Award. The award recognizes individuals or teams that have gone above and beyond to promote patient safety or implement innovative safety projects in their departments. All BWH staff are eligible. Nominations are due by Friday, March 31. Patient Safety Awareness Week is March 12-18, and this year’s theme is “United in Safety.” Visit surveymonkey.com/r/safetymatters2017 to complete
a nomination.

Celebrate National Nutrition Month

Join the BWH Nutrition and Wellness Service in celebrating nutrition and health at the Brigham. A variety of events and activities are taking place throughout March, including weekly trivia questions, a prize drawing, an Instagram challenge and an educational booth. Click here for more information.

BWH and the departments of Infection Control and Nursing mourn the loss of Maureen Curley, MSN, RN, CIC, who passed away on Feb. 17, after a brief illness. She was 69.

Widely regarded as a beloved mentor and a fearless advocate for patients and staff, Ms. Curley first joined the Brigham in 2000 as a nursing director. She managed several units over the years, including 15AB, 14CD and the Medical Intermediate and Intensive Care Units (MICU). Ms. Curley helped lead the MICU’s redesign and expansion from 10 beds to 20. She stepped down in 2007 to recover from an illness.

Ms. Curley soon shifted her career path, obtaining an infection control practitioner certification and returning to the Brigham in 2015 as part of the Department of Infection Control.

Every decision Ms. Curley made was guided by what was best for the patient – a principle she was unafraid to voice, colleagues said.

“She would tell me, ‘You’re the patient’s voice when they can’t speak for themselves,’” said Cindy Labins, MSN, RN, a nursing director at BWFH who worked with Ms. Curley in the MICU. “Even though we all put the patient first, sometimes what the patient actually needs can get lost in translation. Maureen asked questions, pushed for answers and raised the bar for all of us.”

Sarah Thompson, MSN, RN, CCNS, CWON, a nurse educator in Tower 15CD, also remembered Ms. Curley, a colleague and friend for three decades, as someone who kept patients’ best interests at the forefront.

“If you were good to the patients, you were a good nurse – that was her baseline,” Thompson said. “She really expected nurses to be able to discern the patient’s needs and provide that care.”

Karen Meyers, MSN, RN, CCRN, nurse-in-charge in the MICU, recalled Ms. Curley as a cherished mentor who never minced words but always delivered guidance in a supportive, caring way.

“She was able to help you reflect on your practice and make you a better nurse,” Meyers said. “When you have a mentor like that in your life, it’s somebody you’ll always remember. She had that ability to pick you up when you were down.”

In addition to supporting nurses on an individual level, Ms. Curley raised their profile across BWH. She was one of three nurses who helped establish the Department of Medicine’s Housestaff Nursing Awards, an annual ceremony in which residents honor nurses.

“Maureen was a wonderful and trusted colleague, whom I will miss,” said Joel Katz, MD, director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program. “This awards ceremony lives on as a wonderful celebration of collegiality and collaboration, and a chance to honor our many great nurses.”

Ms. Curley was especially proud to work at BWH and loved her job, said Diane Barsam, MSN, RN, her partner of 42 years and a former BWH nurse manager. Her passion for helping others was part of who Ms. Curley was, in and out of the hospital, Barsam said.

“She had a deep caring for people and was always looking to help,” she said. “Nursing was one way she did that. But even in everyday life, if somebody was in need, she’d be right there.”

That sense of caring extended from two-legged individuals to four-legged ones. Ms. Curley was an avowed animal lover, both at home with her two dogs, Caramia and Lexi, and as a volunteer with the Service Dog Project, a nonprofit that donates Great Danes as service dogs to individuals with severe balance limitations.

In addition to Ms. Curley’s kindness and compassion, Barsam will also remember her great sense of humor. “She was always making people laugh. She actually wanted to be a comedian at one point,” Barsam said. “She was a breath of fresh air.”

Outside of work, Ms. Curley embraced travel and adventure – taking memorable trips to Hawaii, Ireland and Italy, and enjoying time with her friends at the beach, kayaking, hiking and golfing.

Ms. Curley is survived by her partner, Diane Barsam; her brothers, Dennis and Neil Curley; her sisters-in-law, Lynn Bernstein and Joan Curley; her niece, Benvenida, and her husband, Michael Sherbekow; and her great-nephew, Easton.

Jennifer Burling shows the hats she crocheted and donated.

Jennifer Burling was never good at sitting still. So when her obstetrician ordered her on modified bed rest midway through her pregnancy, the Rhode Island mom knew she was in for a challenge.

Wanting to pass the time with a hobby, Burling asked her mother to teach her to crochet. Burling decided to pick something easy and practical: a couple of baby hats for her daughter. But once she got started, Burling says she just kept crocheting – ultimately making 88 baby hats that she and her husband, Sam, recently donated to the Brigham’s NICU. They donated another 10 hats to the American Heart Association.

“Our daughter, of course, has a bunch of these hats, along with some slightly misshapen sweaters,” Burling joked. “I thought, ‘All right, I’m going to need to find somewhere to give them to, because our daughter really doesn’t need a hundred hats.’”

Burling crocheted the hats in a range of sizes to accommodate babies at all stages of growth. This includes several tiny hats for angel babies – a term for infants who die before, during or shortly after birth – as a way to honor their son, Isaac, who died at birth.

“One of our most cherished items of his is the little hat that someone had taken the time to knit, and that was the only thing I ever I saw him wear,” said Burling, showing a framed photo of Isaac wearing his tiny blue hat. “Hopefully, lots of these hats go to babies who get to go home, but unfortunately, some of those parents may just be taking a box with mementos.”

The family celebrated the birth of their daughter, Evelyn, at BWH earlier this month. Although born eight weeks premature, Evelyn is healthy and growing in the Brigham’s NICU.

“We have felt we are receiving the best care at BWH,” Burling said. “Our doctors, nurses and the support staff all have gone above and beyond to be sure that not only Evelyn and I receive the best medical care, but also that Sam and I have felt very supported emotionally.”

From left: Sarah Culbreth, Janet Gorman, Marsha Doherty, Stuart Hooton and Betsy Nabel participate in a panel discussion during Quality Rounds.

While patient safety remains the utmost priority for hospitals, the reality is that medical errors still occur. One way to prevent them from happening again is to focus on transparency and education – as opposed to blame – said BWHers who spoke during a recent Quality Rounds.

As part of a panel moderated by Brigham Health President Betsy Nabel, MD, several BWHers discussed two adverse events that took place at the Brigham and what their teams learned from the experiences. The event was part of a Quality Rounds presentation, “Brigham Health Safety Culture: Moving Forward Together,” in Bornstein Amphitheater on March 3. In addition, Nabel shared the results from the 2016 Safety Culture Survey and spoke about next steps.

“This is an extraordinarily important conversation that we want to have together,” Nabel said. “I know we’ll all leave here better informed and better prepared to serve our patients and families.”

Just Culture in Action

The first adverse event involved a patient who was transported to Radiology on a metal stretcher for an MRI scan. At the conclusion of the exam, the patient was transferred back onto the metal transport stretcher, and then inadvertently wheeled back into the MRI room. When the MRI scanner began pulling the stretcher due to the magnetic field, staff instantly removed the patient from the stretcher. No harm was caused to the patient or employees, but the stretcher was pulled onto the MRI machine, causing significant and costly damage.

The case prompted supervisors in that unit to review what happened using a system of shared accountability, or “Just Culture,” enabling them to examine gaps in the system that may have led to the error.

“We were connected with the Department of Quality and Safety,” said Marsha Doherty, operations manager for L1 MRI Services. “They walked us though the Just Culture process, and we were given the tools to handle the incident in a different way than we originally thought.”

Department leaders held several meetings with members of the Just Culture team, which includes Peer Support, Human Resources, Nursing, Risk Management and the Department of Quality and Safety, to understand the situation and how it happened, according to Stuart Hooton, administrative director of MRI, CT Scan and Cross-Sectional Interventional Radiology. The technologist involved in the case was also invited to the meetings to provide input.

The meetings shed light on mitigating circumstances the team wasn’t aware of, Hooton said. It was discovered that the technologist had been working for 10 hours straight, and to keep his patients from waiting, he did not take his lunch break that day, which may have contributed to him feeling fatigued and distracted.

“There was a lot of fact-finding involved,” Hooton said. “It may sound straightforward on the surface, but we needed to understand the factors behind it rather than have a knee-jerk reaction to the situation.”

Christian Dankers, MD, MBA, medical director for Quality and Safety, explained that this particular case was a learning experience for everyone involved and a good example of how challenging it can be to determine the right course of action.

“When we first learned about this case, the right response wasn’t clear: Was this person the risk, or was this system the risk?” he said. “It was really tricky, and it’s important in situations like these to be able to think it through together.”

Although the Radiology team’s first instinct was that termination of the employee involved was appropriate, after collaborative Just Culture discussions, all agreed punitive action for one individual wouldn’t prevent something like this from happening again.

Applying the principles of Just Culture is not always intuitive, but that’s where the Just Culture team can provide guidance, Dankers said.

Also among the panelists were the Emergency Department’s nurse director Janet Gorman, MM, BSN, RN, and pharmacist Sarah Culbreth, PharmD, BCPS. They discussed a case in which a patient received a higher dose of insulin than ordered because a nurse confused the concentration with the dose. The nurse involved in this case was approaching the end of 16 hours at work when the error was made.

Panelists stressed the importance of working through issues using the Just Culture model and sharing information about the process with colleagues. A Just Culture abandons a “blaming culture” where people are afraid to voice concerns or report mistakes for fear of punishment.

“Don’t struggle alone with situations like these,” Doherty said. “We have wonderful resources here. The Just Culture team was so approachable and committed to making Just Culture part of our resolution.”

Survey Results Shed Light on Safety Culture

During the second half of the event, Nabel presented findings from this year’s Patient Safety Culture Survey. Conducted for the third time since 2012, the survey is completed confidentially by BWH staff who have direct patient care responsibilities, providing an opportunity for leaders and managers to receive feedback about safety-related issues.

About 9,000 employees were asked to take the latest survey and rate several aspects of the Brigham’s safety culture, including overall perceptions of patient safety, frequency of events reported and staffing.

For the most part, survey scores did not change much in comparison to the last survey. The latest survey identified opportunities for improvement, including management support for patient safety.

In the coming months, the Quality and Safety team will continue to share the results and solicit staff feedback to determine where we need to make improvements, Nabel said.

“The important message here is that we are listening,” Nabel said. “We want to know what you’re thinking and how you’re feeling. These surveys allow us to learn from one another and engage in conversation about our safety culture.”

View the webcast. Learn more about quality and safety at BWHSafetyMatters.org.

Quality Rounds With Atul Gawande

Atul Gawande, MD, MPH, renowned surgeon, researcher and author, will present on “The Heroism of Incremental Care.” Thursday, March 9, noon-1 p.m., in Bornstein Amphitheater. A live webcast will be available for BWH staff.

World Kidney Day

In celebration of World Kidney Day, stop by a table on the Tower 2 mezzanine on Thursday, March 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., to learn about kidney health, chronic kidney disease, prevention and treatment options. In addition, free blood pressure checks will be offered. Sponsored by the BWH Division of Renal Medicine. For more information, email jkuo4@partners.org.

National Compassionate Caregiver of the Year Award

Nominate a professional caregiver or team for the 2017 National Compassionate Caregiver of the Year Award, which recognizes health care professionals who display extraordinary devotion and compassion in caring for patients and families. Nominations are due Friday, March 31. Learn more at BWHPikeNotes.org.

Sperling Family Fellowship in Precision Healthcare

The Sperling Family Fellowship in Precision Healthcare, organized by BWH and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, combines the strengths of each institution to advance a translational research project with the potential to transform patient care. Senior postdoctoral fellows or faculty in their first two years of appointment are eligible to apply. The application deadline is Friday, March 31. Visit BWHPikeNotes.org for more information.

Yllka Varfi

BWH and the Division of Cardiac Surgery mourn the loss of Yllka Varfi, who passed away on Feb. 14, due to pancreatic cancer. She was 68.

Ms. Varfi worked as a unit coordinator in the Shapiro Cardiovascular Center’s Intermediate Cardiac Surgery floors for nearly 12 years.

Born in Tirana, Albania, Ms. Varfi immigrated to the United States in 1997. She was a classically trained violinist and performed with the Albanian Radio-Television Symphony Orchestra for over two decades. After moving to the United States, she joined the New England Philharmonic and the Brigham family.

As a unit coordinator, Ms. Varfi worked closely with many colleagues from several departments. She was honored in 2010 with the BWH Administrative Support for Patient Care Award for her outstanding work ethic and devotion to helping others.

Genina Salvio, PA-C, a physician assistant in the Division of Cardiac Surgery, knew Ms. Varfi for the entire time she worked at BWH. She remembers one holiday when Ms. Varfi brought her violin in and played for staff and patients. She said people began popping their heads out of their rooms to listen to her music: “You could hear a pin drop as she played. Everyone was silent as they listened to Yllka’s beautiful music. I still get chills thinking about that moment.”

Salvio said whenever she saw Ms. Varfi, she knew it would be a good day.
“Yllka’s inherent warmth reverberated throughout the halls of the Brigham, bringing an involuntary smile to everyone’s face with her unparalleled care and boundless enthusiasm,” Salvio said. “Her life boiled down to one word: love. She had so much love for her family, her patients, music and everyone at the Brigham.”

Nicole Sica, BSN, RN, a charge nurse on the Cardiac Surgical Step-Down Unit on Shapiro 6 East and 7 East/West, worked closely with Ms. Varfi for 12 years. Charge nurses and unit coordinators have extremely interactive relationships, Sica said, and Ms. Varfi’s compassionate, approachable nature was a vital part of how smoothly the unit ran. Above all, Ms. Varfi’s professionalism and dedication to her job, and her hugs, are what Sica says she will miss the most.

“Yllka was like a mother figure to me,” Sica said. “She was a very gentle and caring soul. Yllka became a true friend and an extension of my family. I consider myself truly blessed to have known her.”

In addition to playing the violin, Ms. Varfi enjoyed cooking and gardening. She is survived by her two daughters, Elonia and Mirana Varfi; son-in-law, Andy Skillen; siblings, Besnik, Genc and Artan Kurshumi; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

2016

BWH is the presenting sponsor and exclusive fundraising partner of the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) 10K, which will be held on Sunday, June 25. BWH team members can choose which fund, discipline, disease area or department they wish to support. As an added incentive this year, there is a reduced fundraising minimum of $300 for runners who sign up during the early registration period, March 1 to 14. After that date, the fundraising minimum is $500. Register at: bwhevents.org/10k

What’s happening in your corner of the Brigham? Share your photos of BWH celebrations, events, presentations and more with The Week in Photos.

Above, a photo submitted by Glorimar Gonzalez-Raices captures a moment from a recent yoga workshop attended by staff and interns from the Center for Community Health and Health Equity. Email your submission to BWHBulletin@partners.org.

Note: Any photos with patients must have proper consent. Be mindful of private information that could inadvertently appear in the background of your photo.

Over the next two months, BWH and Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital employees’ email addresses will automatically transition from the @partners.org domain to @bwh.harvard.edu.

Users will not have to do anything differently when creating, reading, deleting or replying to email. Staff will still be able to receive email sent to their old partners.org address. Those messages will be accessed in the same inbox as email sent to their new @bwh.harvard.edu address.

As the Brigham works to strengthen its position as a regional, national and international leader in health care, BWH is considering new ways to reach and serve even more people with all that it has to offer. This includes the recent renaming of Brigham and Women’s Health Care to Brigham Health to reflect the organization’s world-renowned leadership in advanced care, innovative research and clinical education.

The email transition is an additional opportunity to elevate the Brigham’s brand, says Ron M. Walls, MD, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Brigham Health.

“Amplifying our longstanding connection with Harvard – which is recognized everywhere for excellence in teaching and education – is meaningful to our patients, prospective staff, our peers in health care, organizations we seek to partner with and people around the world,” Walls said.

When sending an email to someone outside of Partners, the recipient will see the email address displaying as @bwh.harvard.edu rather than @partners.org. Internal staff will continue to see the last-name, first-name format when an email is sent within Partners.

Partners IS will notify department/service leaders before the email change occurs. Each employee will also receive an email from Partners IS before their address is changed. The transition will happen automatically after business hours.

An FAQ is available on PikeNotes, and staff can email bhemailchange@partners.org with questions. Learn more.

Upcoming Quality Rounds Speakers
On Friday, March 3, Brigham Health President Betsy Nabel, MD, will speak about the Safety Culture Survey results and highlight some of our quality and safety initiatives. On Thursday, March 9, Atul Gawande, MD, MPH, renowned surgeon, researcher and author, will present. Both events take place at noon in Bornstein Amphitheater. Live webcasts of both events will be available.

LGBT & Allies Speaker Series
Dani Monroe, chief diversity officer at Partners HealthCare, will speak about the value of diversity and inclusion (D&I) and current D&I efforts underway with Partners 2.0. Pothik Chatterjee, chair of the Brigham Health LGBT & Allies Employee Resource Group, will interview Monroe. Monday, March 13, 3:30-4:30 p.m., in Bornstein Amphitheater. A live webcast will be available. Visit BWHPikeNotes.org to learn more.

Flu Season Is Underway
Employees who have a fever of 100.4°F or greater with a cough or sore throat must stay home or leave work and call Occupational Health Services at 617-732-6034 to report symptoms. Staff with these symptoms are required to remain out of work for at least 24 hours after their fever resolves without fever-reducing medication. If you haven’t received a flu shot, you must wear a mask in patient care areas for the duration of flu season. Learn more.

Bold Ideas, Big Savings Program
The Bold Ideas, Big Savings program is a hospital-wide effort to reduce costs and improve efficiency. BWHers are encouraged to submit any and all cost-savings ideas. If the idea is chosen and implemented, the individual or team that submitted the idea will be awarded a cash prize. Each idea is reviewed by the Bold Ideas, Big Savings Committee to ensure it meets eligibility requirements of originality and feasibility. Learn more at BoldIdeasBigSavings.org.

From left: Melissa Houghton, Hanna Prange, Suzanne Sargeant and Lauren DelVecchio traveled from Foxborough to celebrate their PIE Awards.

To Pete Linck, “Partners in Excellence” means a commitment to helping one another.

“I have so much trust in everyone I work with,” said Linck, manager of Office Services and a past Partners in Excellence (PIE) Award recipient, as he spoke to an audience during the annual PIE Awards celebration on Feb. 14.

“We work among great people who do amazing things each day. If it weren’t for all of these incredible efforts, my team would not be here. We come here every day ready to work hard and contribute wherever possible.”

More than 85 individuals from BWH, the Brigham and Women’s Physicians Organization and the Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center were honored during the 21st annual PIE Awards ceremony. Additionally, 36 project teams, collectively amounting to another 851 staffers, including Linck and his colleagues from Audiovisual Services, were nominated by their peers. The awards recognize employees for their outstanding contributions to the Partners HealthCare mission.

Among the individual recipients was Jane O’Donnell, a practice manager at Hyde Park Primary Care. She was nominated by her colleagues for lobbying to have a crosswalk placed in front of the building to improve safety. Among the teams honored with a PIE Award was the Comunidad en Acción team at Southern Jamaica Plain Health Center for its work to help Spanish-speaking patients learn more about preventing and managing diabetes. In addition, the team works hard to ensure patients can collaborate and connect with their medical team and each other.

During the ceremony, held in Bornstein Amphitheater, Brigham Health President Betsy Nabel, MD, shared her gratitude and pride, emphasizing that PIE recipients “play a vital role in fulfilling our precious mission.”

“This is a very special event because it highlights the work of the remarkable staff who make our hospital shine,” Nabel said. “Our PIE recipients truly go above and beyond in carrying out our mission.”

Sabrina Williams, MBA, interim vice president of Human Resources, served as the ceremony’s emcee and reflected on the extraordinary efforts of this year’s recipients.

“Because of all of you, we are one of the top hospitals in the world,” Williams said. “Every day, your passion, purpose, skill and innovation touch so many lives.”

Non-Technical Skills for OR Teams: Intensive Master Class

Non-technical skills, including decision-making and communication, are essential for safe surgical care. This interactive, two-day course will cover tools, technologies and tips for improving non-technical skills, as well as how to work effectively in operating room teams, handle challenging situations and train others. June 1 and 2 at BWH. Early registration ends Wednesday, March 1. For more information and registration, visit tinyurl.com/NOTSS-MasterClass-2017.

Diversity and Inclusiveness Dialogues

This series of conversations aims to foster discussion around creating a work environment where everyone feels welcomed and cared for. Email mgreenwald@partners.org to register. Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month. The next meeting is Feb. 21, 4-5:30 p.m., in the Patient Care Services conference room.

Job Shadow Day, March 10

Workforce Development is seeking departments to host Boston Public High School students for half a day during Job Shadow Day on Friday, March 10, in collaboration with the Boston Private Industry Council. If you would like to participate, fill out a short survey, available on BWHPikeNotes.org, by Friday, Feb. 24.  Email bwhwfd@partners.org for more information.

Raise Awareness and Funds for Women’s Lung Cancer

Donate a balloon in honor of or in celebration of a loved one who has been affected by lung cancer during the BWH Women’s Lung Cancer Program’s third Balloon-a-thon. Saturday, March 18, 2-4 p.m., in the Building for Transformative Medicine. All funds go toward supporting educational and advocacy initiatives for lung cancer patients and survivors, as well as furthering research efforts. Email mkruithoff@partners.org with questions.

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In celebration of National Wear Red Day on Feb. 3 and in advance of the New England Patriots playing in the Super Bowl that weekend, BWHers from departments throughout the main and distributed campus submitted photos showing off their red clothing in honor of women’s heart health and/or their favorite Pats gear. View the complete album.

During news events big and small, journalists often reach out directly to staff with interview requests.  Here’s a quick refresher on what to do if you are contacted by a reporter or if you wish to proactively reach out to a media organization.

I have something I want to tell the media. What should I do?

If you have a unique patient story, an innovative new procedure, or a research breakthrough, the Media Relations team is available to assist in ensuring that your message is shared as widely as possible. Before reaching out to a member of the media, contact the Media Relations team. With an extensive list of local, national and international media contacts, the team will prepare a plan for sharing your news with media outlets that will most effectively communicate your message to the right audience.

What if a member of the media reaches out to me directly?

If a reporter reaches out to you directly, ask them to be in touch with the Communication & Public Affairs Office. A member of the media relations team will follow up with the reporter to learn more about their story, their deadline and their angle on the story. The team will also create a list of questions you may be asked, help you prepare key messages and research the reporter and outlet to ensure that you understand the audience that the outlet targets and that the interview is worth participating in.

A member of the Media Relations team can be reached 24/7.  Call 617-525-6370 weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. After hours, on weekends and holidays, call 617-732-6660 and ask to page the Public Affairs person on call at pager 13160.

In what other ways can the Media Relations team help?

The team is responsible for protecting patient privacy whenever a member of the media interacts with a patient.  The team ensures patients are approached with media opportunities in a thoughtful way and obtains proper patient consent.  Additionally, any member of the media that is visiting campus is escorted by a member of the media relations team.

When multiple members of the hospital community are interacting with the media, the team ensures coordination to avoid confusion when there are dissenting opinions, and it provides up-to-date institutional messages.

While the goal of the Media Relations team is to share positive media coverage of BWH, they also have extensive experience managing crisis communication.

PIE Awards Ceremony, Feb. 14

The annual Partners in Excellence (PIE) Awards Ceremony will be held Tuesday, Feb. 14, at 10 a.m., in Bornstein Amphitheater. Seating is limited; priority seating in Bornstein will go to individual and team leader PIE recipients. Team member recipients and colleagues may view a live webcast of the ceremony in Carrie Hall, or via webcast on your computer.

Celebrating Blood Donors in February

All blood and platelet donors will receive a thank-you gift of a gray embroidered fleece vest and a J.P. Licks voucher for a beverage for donating during the month of February. Note that donors are eligible to give whole blood every 56 days. To schedule your appointment, email your preferred date, time and type of donation to BloodDonor@partners.org, using subject “VEST,” or call 617-632-3206.

Nominate a Colleague: the Brigham Way

The Brigham Way is about going above and beyond what is required of you to make BWH a better place for all who come through our doors. Tell us about how you or one of your colleagues go above and beyond and your nomination could be featured on PikeNotes and TV screens across the distributed campus. Email your nomination to TheBrighamWay@partners.org.

Quality Rounds With Dr. Nabel, March 3

BWHC President Betsy Nabel, MD, will speak about the Safety Culture Survey results and highlight some of our quality and safety initiatives. In addition, panelists from BWH will share their safety culture-related stories. Friday, March 3, noon, in Bornstein Amphitheater. A live webcast will be available here.

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Hundreds of BWHers celebrated the recent launch of Brigham Health – the new name of our parent organization – at a hot chocolate social on Feb. 1 in Miller Atrium. The social was the first of eight events taking place around the hospital and the distributed campus offering BWHers an opportunity to enjoy tasty treats and learn more about our new identity. Click here to view more photos.

Brigham Health includes Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital and the Brigham and Women’s Physicians Organization. The name replaces Brigham and Women’s Health Care. For a complete listing of upcoming hot chocolate socials and more information about Brigham Health, visit BWHPikeNotes.org.

Members of the Lean Practitioner Program gather for a group photo after delivering their final presentations.

Last month, 22 BWHers from various departments, including Thoracic Surgery, Biomedical Engineering and the Phyllis Jen Center for Primary Care, presented the projects they had been working on as part of the Lean Practitioner Program. The Lean training lasts four months, culminating in participants applying what they learn in the classroom to real-life improvement projects at BWH and BWFH. The program, offered by Brigham Health’s Analytics, Planning and Process Improvement, teaches leaders how to engage staff in process improvement within a department, practice or unit. More than 370 BWHers have participated in Lean since 2008.

Inaugural Opioid Grand Rounds, Feb. 2
Presented by the Brigham Comprehensive Opioid Response and Education (B-CORE) Program. Monica Bharel, MD, MPH, commissioner at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, will discuss “Data, Disparities and Public Health, Addressing Equity from Bedside to Public Health.” Thursday, Feb. 2, 8-9 a.m., in Bornstein Amphitheater. Email sweiner@bwh.harvard.edu with questions. Visit BWHPikeNotes.org for more information.

National Wear Red Day, Feb. 3
Raise awareness of Women’s heart health by sending a photo of you and/or your colleagues wearing red on Friday, Feb. 3, National Wear Red Day, to BWHBulletin@partners.org. Photos will be featured on BWHPikeNotes.org the following week.

Annual V-Day Event, Feb. 10
V-Day is a global activist movement to recognize and begin to remedy violence against women and girls. Speakers at BWH’s second-annual V-Day event, “A Trauma-Informed Care Approach to Treating Campus Sexual Assault Survivors,” will discuss sexual assault on college campuses and how clinicians can provide the most effective, compassionate care for survivors. Friday, Feb. 10, 12-1:30 p.m., in Bornstein Amphitheater. The event will also be webcast. Visit BWHPikeNotes.org to register and to access the webcast link.

Partners Patient Gateway Now Available in Spanish

As of Jan. 18, the majority of Partners Patient Gateway is available in Spanish. Note that clinical information from the medical record will not be translated. Visit BWHPikeNotes.org for more information.

David Rhew discusses possible ways technology can improve patient outcomes and reduce health care costs.

David Rhew, MD, was on a flight last year when a fellow passenger suddenly collapsed. Someone called out, “Is there a doctor on the plane?”

Rhew, chief medical officer and head of Healthcare and Fitness at Samsung Electronics America, had a flash of self-doubt; it had been several years since he worked as a practicing physician. But instinct and training soon took over, and he crouched down next to the passenger to detect the man’s pulse with his fingertips. Rhew felt a pulse, but realized he wasn’t sure if it was the passenger’s or his own, which was racing from the adrenaline rush.

Rhew had an idea: The smart watch he was wearing had a heart-rate monitor. He slipped the device off his own wrist and put it on the passenger’s. To Rhew’s relief, the device’s digital display lit up with a reading: 70 beats per minute. The patient soon regained consciousness, and no emergency landing was required.

It was like a scene out of a movie – or, perhaps, an advertisement – and it was also one that illustrated the potential benefits of using consumer devices to improve patient outcomes, said Rhew, who shared the anecdote during a talk hosted by the Brigham Innovation Hub, “Disruptive Digital Health Innovations,” on Jan. 19. The event, held in the Building for Transformative Medicine, was part of iHub’s monthly Speaker Series highlighting influential leaders in the health care industry.

Guest speakers’ talks are not always directly related to work happening at the Brigham – and that’s a good thing, explained Brian Mullen, PhD, Innovation Strategy manager in iHub.

“Core to innovation is exposure to new ideas, different ways of thinking and an understanding of trends, technologies and markets,” Mullen said. “Being exposed to other industries and hearing from leaders will help us stay on the cutting edge, inspire new ideas and better prepare us to improve health care.”

Being exposed to other industries and hearing from leaders will help us stay on the cutting edge, inspire new ideas and better prepare us to improve health care.”

-Brian Mullen, PhD

How Can Technology Complement Medicine?

Looking at the intersection of digital health, consumer devices and alternative care models, Rhew also highlighted a pilot program Samsung launched to improve the quality of life for older adults – particularly those who are homebound and not tech-savvy – by giving them an easy-to-use tablet with apps that encourage physical activity and social engagement. The company also partnered with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center to study the use of virtual reality technologies for patients diagnosed with depression or anxiety.

By providing patients with new ways to lead a healthy lifestyle, technology may help reduce unnecessary hospital admissions or readmissions, Rhew said.

“It’s a different concept because we think of medicine as the most important thing, but it’s adherence to the overall treatment plan that has a greater impact on outcomes,” he said. “Technology is one way to do that.”

During a question-and-answer session, a large audience of BWHers and other attendees asked Rhew about implementing digital health technologies in the real world. One audience member pointed out that the raw data generated by vital-sign trackers on devices like smart watches often isn’t useful to physicians.

“Too much data is no good,” Rhew agreed. “But no data is also no good. We need to find a happy medium.”

For Mullen, who helped organize the event, the biggest takeaway from Rhew’s talk was the focus on supporting patients at home with platforms tailored for specific health needs.

“There are a lot of great tools being developed, but there is a need to figure out how to best deliver that care beyond the walls of the hospital setting,” Mullen said. “BWH can lead in the development of new models and use these tools to improve our care and reach more patients, regardless of geography.”

View a recording of the event.

Shirma Pierre, chair of the BWH chapter of the Association of Multicultural Members of Partners, speaks at the Brigham’s celebration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Peter Linck, manager of Office Services, was grateful for the opportunity to view Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic “I Have a Dream” speech with his colleagues during this year’s celebration of the civil rights leader at the Brigham on Jan. 17. Having never seen the speech in its entirety before now, Linck said the experience was moving and memorable.

“It’s really important in times like these to hear such great, strong words from people like Dr. King who very much care about who we are as a society,” Linck said.

He was among the BWHers who gathered in Bornstein Amphitheater, in addition to those who tuned in via webcast, for the hospital’s annual celebration of King, presented by the Association of Multicultural Members of Partners.

Before viewing the speech, Sabrina Williams, MBA, interim vice president of Human Resources, reflected on King’s inspiring leadership and accomplishments.

Williams recited part of one of her favorite quotes by King about the value of helping others: “Everybody can be great because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. … You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love.”

The words reflect the hospital’s mission to provide the best care to all who walk through our doors, she said.

“There are many reasons why we celebrate Dr. King’s legacy. Most importantly, he had a humanistic approach,” Williams said. “At the end of the day, it’s about people. And from a human resources perspective, it’s about helping each of our employees be effective in serving the work and mission of the Brigham.”

As part of the Brigham’s commitment to supporting discussions about diversity and inclusiveness, Williams added, BWH will work with Dani Monroe, the first chief diversity and inclusion officer at Partners HealthCare, and her team to provide resources and training about issues such as unconscious bias.

Following the speech, several BWHers reflected on the address and what it meant to them.

Shamoore Simpson, a data analyst and project coordinator at Partners Community Health, encouraged her colleagues to go back to their teams and continue the conversation about diversity and inclusivity.

Wanda McClain, vice president of Community Health and Health Equity, said watching the speech was a reminder that the fight for equality is ongoing and that it’s important to speak up against injustice.

“It was so hopeful to watch the speech and see people together, fighting together for America,” McClain said. “Sadly, today there’s so much distrust, discord and disrespect, and if we don’t get to a place where we can look at each other with humanity and realize that our struggles are the same, then I’m not sure we’ve really fulfilled Dr. King’s complete legacy.”

Ron M. Walls, MD, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Brigham Health, emphasized the need for people to participate in conversations and share their ideas on how to make the world a better place.

“To effect real change takes both belief in that change and a dogged determination to work at it over a long period of time,” Walls said. “If this kind of change were easy, it would have been accomplished before 1963, and certainly by now, yet the struggles and challenges of 50 years ago are very familiar to us today. We have a lot of work to do, but I feel proud that we are part of an organization that deeply believes in that work.”

View a recording of the event.

Flu Shot Attestation/Proof of Immunization Required by Jan. 28

Employees who have not attested to receiving or declining a flu vaccination by Saturday, Jan. 28, may be placed on an unpaid leave of absence from work until their attestation has been entered into PeopleSoft. If you received a flu shot outside of OHS or the Peer-to-Peer Program, you must also provide proof of immunization by Jan. 28. Learn more.

Quality Rounds With Dr. Nabel, March 3

BWHC President Betsy Nabel, MD, will speak about the Safety Culture Survey results and highlight some of our quality and safety initiatives. In addition, panelists from BWH will share their safety culture-related stories. Friday, March 3, noon, in Bornstein Amphitheater. A live webcast will be available. Visit BWHPikeNotes.org for the webcast link. (Please note that the date of this event has changed since the time when the print edition of this week’s BWH Bulletin was distributed. The updated information is listed above.)

Join the B.A.A. 5K Stepping Strong Team

Register for the 2017 Boston Athletic Association 5K at baa.org. Registration opens Wednesday, Jan. 18, at 10 a.m. After you have registered, forward your confirmation email to aluthman@partners.org to secure your place on the Stepping Strong Team. All funds raised will benefit The Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation at BWH. Everyone is invited to be part of the excitement of Boston Marathon weekend while supporting trauma research and care. This year’s race takes place on April 15, which is designated One Boston Day.

Code Help Policy Update

Code Help, a Department of Public Health mandate, is a process by which hospital staff are alerted to commence the appropriate steps to ease the burden of boarders in the Emergency Department. The policy for Code Help has been updated and went into effect Jan. 3. Learn more.

Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey speaks at BWH during the kick-off event of a new LGBT Speaker Series.

Arjun Rangarajan, MBBS, MPH, a project manager in the BWPO, says attending a recent talk at BWH with Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healy, a leader and advocate for the LGBT community, inspired him to attend more events hosted by the BWHC LGBT & Allies Employee Resource Group.

“I appreciated hearing from the attorney general as well as our hospital leadership about the importance of supporting our LGBT community at the Brigham,” Rangarajan said. “While the LGBT population faces unique challenges when it comes to receiving quality health care, this series is one important way we can continue to educate colleagues about best practices in LGBT care.”

Healey’s talk, which coincided with a National Coming Out Day event at BWH, was the first in a new LGBT Speaker Series. The joint effort between BWH and BWFH recently launched to highlight high-profile advocates working on health care issues facing LGBT patients and providers, according to Pothik Chatterjee, MBA, director of Business Development and Strategic Planning in the BWPO and chair of the BWHC LGBT & Allies Employee Resource Group.

“These talks are meant to be inspirational springboards for attendees to reflect on how they care for LGBT patients and what they can do to improve,” he said. “It’s been eye-opening to hear from speakers about effective and thoughtful ways to incorporate a patient’s LGBT identity into their physical and mental health care.”

Beverly Hardy, Innovation Strategy manager at the Brigham Innovation Hub, attended the talk with Healy to learn more about how BWH supports the LGBT community and to show her support.

“The Brigham family draws strength from our diversity by having more empathy and understanding for our patients’ needs,” Hardy said. “The speaker series demonstrates leadership’s commitment to fostering a welcoming community in which we learn from each other and share experiences.”

Since the series’ first event, the employee resource group has also hosted an interactive discussion with Harvey Makadon, MD, FACP, director of Education and Training Programs at The Fenway Institute. Makadon spoke about the challenges and best practices regarding the collection of sexual orientation/gender identity (SO/GI) patient information in Partners eCare and ways health care systems can use the information to address health care disparities.

Following that talk, the employee resource group formed a working group to ensure BWH care providers are aware of SO/GI options in Epic. The group is also coming up with techniques to help clinicians and patients comfortably discuss sexual orientation and gender identity.

Looking Ahead

The next two talks in the series focus on behavioral health for LGBT veterans and on diversity, inclusion and LGBT visibility. The latter will feature Dani Monroe, the first chief diversity and inclusion officer at Partners HealthCare, as the guest speaker.

Meghan Doherty, LCSW, an Inpatient Psychiatry social worker in the Department of Psychiatry at BWFH, has been working with the employee resource group to organize the next talk, which will be held at the Faulkner.

“The series has helped us see that patients, their families and staff are noticing the hard work of the employee resource group to educate the community about LGBT care and how we can continue a high level of engagement,” she said.

Melinda Upton

Melinda Upton, MS, will join BWHC as vice president of Network Development on Jan. 23.

Upton will lead BWHC’s network development strategies by strengthening current partnerships and developing new relationships with health care systems, other hospitals and medical groups. In collaboration with leaders in Partners HealthCare, she will represent the Brigham in the development of Partners’ network strategic planning.

“Both of my children were born here, so I have seen firsthand the expertise and dedication of the talented staff at BWH,” Upton said. “I am excited to be part of the team and to collaborate with colleagues within BWHC and Partners HealthCare, as well as with our external partners to increase access to high-quality care and support their strategic needs.”

Upton joins BWHC from MetroWest Medical Center, where she was chief growth officer. There, she executed strategies to launch clinical programs, strengthen relationships with community physicians and hospitals, and partner with academic medical centers. She led the process to form a strategic alliance between the hospital and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

Prior to her work at MetroWest, Upton was senior director for Surgery, Neurosurgery and Hospital Medicine at UMass Memorial Medical Center; before that, she was vice president of Business Development at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center.

“I am confident that Melinda’s customer service focus and collaborative approach, along with her communication and analytic skills, will be instrumental in achieving our network development strategies with internal and external partners,” said BWPO President Allen Smith, MD, MS.

Everyone who works at BWH – whether involved in patient care, research, support services or administration – is responsible for maintaining patient privacy. Respecting and protecting our patients’ information is a critical part of our commitment to them. In order to uphold this commitment, the BWH Privacy Office is proactively auditing patient records to monitor for inappropriate access in 2017.

Because BWH is known worldwide for our innovative and lifesaving work, our staff members have the privilege of caring for many of our own family members, friends and colleagues, as well as individuals who are well-known. It is a violation of the Brigham’s policies to access a patient’s electronic health record without a clinical or business reason to do so.

It’s important to note that even searching only a patient’s name can be considered an “access” of a record, as the search returns patient demographic information, which is also protected by federal law. In many cases when information is inappropriately accessed, the Privacy Office needs to notify the patient in writing of the incident, as well as governmental authorities.

Partners eCare enables the Brigham to track access and record each click of any user who views and interacts with a patient’s record. Individuals who access medical records outside the scope of their work are subject to disciplinary action, including termination. Violation of patient privacy is also a federal crime.

Wiese Lecture in Medical Humanities, Jan. 17
This lecture, “Why Do We Still Need Stories? A Narrative Approach to Clinical Ethics,” will explore how the stories that patients and family members tell us can help us recognize what matters most to them as they face difficult choices. Tuesday, Jan. 17, noon-1 p.m., in Bornstein Amphitheater. Hosted by the BWH Office of Clinical Ethics. Email mgreenwald@partners.org with questions.

LGBT Speaker series, jan. 31
This talk, “Provision of LGBT Health Care Within the VA: Lessons for Academic Medical Centers,” will focus on how other medical systems have developed culturally competent care for LGBT veterans. Tuesday, Jan. 31, noon-1 p.m. The event will be webcast from BWFH to the Building for Transformative Medicine, 9th floor, room 09004. Hosted by the BWHC LGBT & Allies Employee Resource Group. Email bwhlgbt@partners.org for more information.

BWHYP Winter Wonderland Event, Jan. 31
Join the Brigham and Women’s Hospital Young Professionals as they ring in the new year with a winter wonderland extravaganza. The group will have a hot chocolate bar and two opportunities to learn how to use social media to enhance your professional career. Tuesday, Jan. 31, 5-7 p.m., in Carrie Hall. Click here for more information.

Center for Clinical Data Science User Group Meeting, Jan. 31
The Center for Clinical Data Science was founded to build a smarter health care system. Using artificial intelligence, the center is working to build and commercialize systems and tools that enhance patient outcomes and improve efficiency. Join the center’s inaugural user group meeting to share your ideas on how we can revolutionize human health. Tuesday,
Jan. 31, noon-1 p.m., in the Bayles Conference Room at 75 Francis St. Click here to learn more.

BWHers and their family members gather for a photo after performing holiday carols for patients on Christmas Day.

Patient Murline Carter-Cardoza was moved to tears when a group of BWHers surprised her at her bedside in the Shapiro Cardiovascular Center to sing Christmas carols on Dec. 25. Earlier that day, Carter-Cardoza felt down about not being able to attend church and spend time with her family and friends for the holidays.

“It didn’t feel like Christmas until the carolers arrived,” said the Mattapan resident. “It was the most beautiful gift I could have asked for.”

Three years ago, senior BWH cardiologist Thomas Michel, MD, PhD, and a group of his residents formed a musical ensemble, the Cardiotonics. Each Christmas Day since, the continually growing group has gathered to serenade patients, families and staff throughout Shapiro and the Tower with holiday favorites, including “Silent Night,” “Jingle Bells” and Hanukkah songs by patient request.

Michel, an amateur accordion player who has been at the Brigham for 32 years, said he started this tradition as a way to lift the spirits of patients and their families on a day that is meant to be celebrated.

“The music of the season is deeply moving, and, as care providers, we recognize it can be a very tough time to be in the hospital,” Michel said. “It’s meaningful for us to be able to give back to our patients in this way and help to make a difficult situation a little more pleasant.”

Since the Cardiotonics formed, nurses, patient care assistants, Cardiology faculty, chaplains and others have volunteered to join the group on Christmas. Michel was overjoyed to see more than 20 BWHers and some of their family members participate this year. Regardless of prior singing or musical experience, all of the volunteers sang for every patient they met.

Frederick Tsai, MD, PhD, a second-year resident in the Department of Medicine, helped to organize this year’s event.

“This annual tradition exemplifies the culture at the Brigham of collegiality, dedication to patient care and commitment to each other’s well-being,” Tsai said. “When we walked into a hospital pod or a patient’s room, you could see people’s excitement.”

Tsai’s favorite experience with the Cardiotonics this year was meeting Carter-Cardoza and her family.

“Moments like this make me feel incredibly humbled to be able to care for patients, not just through medicine, but also by doing something as simple and human as being there with them in the hospital and sharing a holiday song,” Tsai said. “I feel like we are providing another aspect of patient care by supporting them emotionally and spiritually.”

BWH patient Paul Cahill, of Abington, also enjoyed a visit from the carolers and deeply appreciated the event.

“It was a great surprise to have the carolers come by my room on Christmas,” Cahill said. “I was thrilled that my wife, Kathy, along with my family, including my eight grandchildren, were there to join in and sing along. It’s nice that the hospital does this each year to make patients feel at home as much as they can.”

Ashley Clements, a Spiritual Care Services chaplain resident who joined the Cardiotonics this year, came into work early to participate. She hopes the tradition inspires BWHers to perform other acts of kindness in the future.
Former Cardiotonics caroler and Cardiology fellow Brittany Weber, MD, PhD, said singing to patients on Christmas Day was the highlight of her residency last year.

“This holiday tradition keeps this spirit alive,” Weber said. “It’s a privilege to be able to spread the joy of the holidays for our patients who had to be in the hospital and to see the smiles, laughter and tears. The joy and holiday spirit that the Cardiotonics ensemble brings is simply contagious.”

Bruce Koplan, MD, a cardiac electrophysiologist, brought his daughter, niece and nephew to the hospital on Christmas so that they could experience the joy of giving back to others: “I wanted them to have an appreciation for the true meaning of the holidays. I’m glad the group could provide some happiness to the patients.”

Jeff Lamoreaux, Adria Gottesman-Davis practice kangaroo care with their daughter, Rene, and relax on a recliner in their room in the new NICU.

On July 25, some of the Brigham’s tiniest patients and their families settled into our beautiful, newly expanded neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), as part of the first phase of a historic transition. Several departments across BWH coordinated in a makeshift command center to ensure the process ran safely and smoothly. In total, 25 infants were moved into the new space. It was an amazing, coordinated effort from Nursing, physicians, Respiratory Therapy, IT Services, Biomedical Engineering and families. It was a day to celebrate our new surroundings.

Terrie Inder, MD, MBChB
Chair of Pediatric Newborn Medicine

Michael Prendergast, MD
NICU medical director

You don’t have to look far to find stories that inspire at the Brigham, and each week, we have the distinct privilege of sharing with the BWH community – and beyond – the medical achievements, pioneering research, community outreach and clinical education that happen here.

We have shining moments every day in our conversations with you and your colleagues about all the acts, big and small, that underscore why BWH is a world-class institution for our patients, families and neighbors.

Whether you shared a news tip, participated in an interview or simply picked up a copy of Bulletin each week, we are so grateful for your engagement and contributing to our vibrant, close-knit community.

Editorial Staff, BWH Bulletin

My shining moment was when I was able to spend time in the NICU. Some of the nurses were nice enough to give me a tour and work with me on some recruiting efforts for the unit. I was able to see the amazing work they do with their patients and hear from the families about their appreciation for all that the nurses do.

Ashley Rink
Staffing Partner, Human Resources

My shining moment isn’t just one moment – it’s the countless instances throughout the year when staff do something special to lift the spirits of patients, their families and our colleagues. Whether it’s a smile, the squeeze of a hand or a grander gesture, like giving a patient who had missed her train a ride home, the acts of kindness and compassion of staff make our very large institution feel warm and welcoming for those we serve.

We celebrate the ways staff go above and beyond through the Brigham Way, and several times a year, Brigham Way nominees gather for a luncheon in their honor. My favorite part of the luncheon is when each person shares why he or she was recognized. While I am always aware of what special people make up the fabric of our institution, these gatherings are powerful reminders of the countless wonderful things BWHers do every day to help those in need.

Betsy Nabel, MD
President, Brigham and Women’s Health Care

One of my greatest joys is to see my patients – most of whom are small, vulnerable infants in the NICU – grow and thrive. Reading to babies every day since birth improves children’s language, cognitive and social-emotional development further down the line. Thanks to an incredibly generous book donation of Houghton-Mifflin Harcourt publishers, many BWH NICU families will receive books to read to their infants during their hospital stay. We are incredibly lucky to have received such a generous donation and to support our infants’ families in their amazing journeys!

Carmina Erdei, MD
Neonatologist, NICU

In our research unit, we frequently need equipment and supplies obtained throughout different areas within BWH. I recently went with one of our team members, Caroline Rogalski, of the Center for Clinical Investigation, on some of her routine errands around the hospital. I was immediately, pleasantly and immensely surprised and touched how, on every path she took, numerous individuals stopped their work to say hello to her – from the sterilization center in Shapiro L3 to Tower 9, staff members in Pharmacy, L2 kitchen, among many others. All acknowledged her with a heartfelt smile. I always appreciate Caroline as a diligent, creative and positively minded team member, but I never realized how many people she interacted with on a daily basis.

It reminded me how the Brigham is a large hospital but functions as a small community – and how much a pleasant smile and acknowledgement by a familiar face can have such a positive impact for all.

Leigh Keating, MS, RD, LDN, CBDT
Director of Nutrition Research, Center for Clinical Investigation

Blood and Platelet Donors Needed

Give the best gift this holiday season and donate blood or platelets at the Kraft Family Blood Center. Now through the end of December, donors will receive a pair of portable electronic speakers, a teddy bear, a sling backpack and more. Platelet donors are particularly needed the weeks before Christmas. For appointments or questions, please email BloodDonor@partners.org or call 617-632-3206.

Medical Library Winter Courses

The BWH Medical Library is offering courses this winter to help hospital employees take advantage of the library’s resources. Classes include “PubMed Searching,” “How to Use RefWorks,” “How to Find Images,” “Advanced Google,” and “How to Use my NCBI.” Classes take place at the Medical Library, TH-127. Space is limited. Visit BWHPikeNotes.org to view the calendar and register to attend. Email bwhmedicallibrary@partners.org with questions.

Nominate a Colleague for the Brigham Way

The Brigham Way is about going above and beyond what is required of you to make BWH a better place for all who come through our doors. Tell us about how you or your colleagues go above and beyond, and your nomination could be featured on PikeNotes and TV screens across the distributed campus. Email your nomination to TheBrighamWay@partners.org.

Community PCPs Now Accepting New Patients

Partners HealthCare has web and phone resources to help you find BWH- and Partners-affiliated community primary care providers with near-term availability. Click here for more information, or call 866-694-3627 on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

A rendering of the renovated 75 Francis entrance

Since the spring, BWH has been renovating portions of the 75 Francis St. exterior entrance to improve its appearance, safety, security and patient access. The project, which is being completed in two phases, will wrap up in September 2017.

As part of phase one, which is nearing completion in the coming weeks, BWH has updated the main entrance with new signs – including a new, larger one for the Emergency Department.

“It’s a bright, positive sign that reinforces what we do every day,” said Jeremiah Schuur, MD, vice chair of Clinical Affairs in Emergency Medicine. “I snapped a photo of it as I walked into my shift the other day because seeing the sign made me feel proud going into work. I have heard similar comments from other members of the Emergency Medicine team.”

The 75 Francis entrance is the hospital’s busiest, with more than 8,000 people passing through its doors on an average day.

A major component of the project was replacing the original ceiling of the 75 Francis driveway, as the infrastructure was damaged in some locations and wearing out due to its age. As part of the upgrade, faux wood paneling and new energy-efficient lighting fixtures were added to create a brighter, more welcoming backdrop for patients, visitors and staff coming into the hospital. The additional lighting also provides greater visibility and safety.

In addition, new benches have been added so that patients have a place to sit while waiting for a ride.

Phase two, expected to begin next year, will include overlaying the front facade with limestone panels and widening the exit at 75 Francis so that cars going either left or right onto Binney Street can exit simultaneously, which will help ease traffic congestion. The asphalt will also be updated with bright pavement markings in the crosswalk.

Steve Dempsey, director of Planning and Construction at BWH, said his team has already received a lot of positive feedback from staff and patients about the renovations.

“We feel the updates have modernized the look of the arrival at this location,” Dempsey said. “We want people to feel welcomed and cared for from the moment they pull up to our hospital, and improving the main entrance helps us achieve that goal.”

Alexander Frieden launched CarsInBikeLanes Boston as a result of his experiences commuting to Longwood as a cyclist.

Alexander Frieden bikes five days a week between his home in Somerville and the Brigham, where he works as a clinical informatics lead in the Department of Pathology. His experiences commuting those 3.8 miles on two wheels inspired him to create CarsInBikeLanes Boston, a website that allows users to report vehicles obstructing designated bike lanes in Boston and the surrounding area.

Occupying those spaces isn’t just a nuisance for bicyclists – it’s also unsafe, Frieden said. When vehicles block access to bike lanes, cyclists are forced to merge with fast-moving traffic, with drivers sometimes going 45 to 50 mph.

“People parked in bike lanes make it difficult and dangerous to commute by bicycle,” he said.

More than 46,000 people commute to the Longwood Medical Area for work each day, and 4 percent of those employees do so by bike, according to the Medical Academic and Scientific Community Organization (MASCO), a nonprofit serving the Longwood area.

Through transit and bike advocacy groups, Frieden learned of the CarsInBikeLanes NYC project, which launched in September. The platform’s developer made the source code available on Github, a website where developers share open source code, allowing Frieden to adapt it for the Greater Boston area. Over the course of a month, Frieden spent nights and weekends tweaking the code so that the reporting tool could be used for the Greater Boston area, including Boston, Cambridge, Brookline and Somerville.

Since its launch on Nov. 28, CarsInBikeLanes Boston has received more than 175 submissions of vehicles parked in bike lanes. Users are prompted to enter the date, time, cross streets and exact location of the parking violation, as well as a license plate number, a photo and any comments.

Frieden hopes the platform will increase awareness of the issue and be a resource for local municipalities. He is working with the city of Boston to explore how the data may be of use to city planners when building new infrastructure. This may include protected bike lanes, which offer a physical barrier between lanes designated for cyclists and the rest of the roadway.

“My hope is that people will routinely use the service and that civic leaders will be empowered to make data-driven decisions about cyclist and pedestrian safety,” said Frieden.

Holiday Decoration Policy reminder

No natural trees, wreaths or laurel decorations are permitted in the hospital due to fire safety concerns. In addition, decorations cannot be applied to any passageway doors. Electric lights are allowed if they are labeled by a recognized testing agency. View the full policy.

BWH Patient Safety Culture Survey

On Nov. 28, about 8,000 BWHers received an email from support@pascalmetrics.com with a link to the 2016 Patient Safety Culture Survey. The confidential insights you share will tell us whether our organizational culture, and the culture in your work area, help us provide safe care. By completing it, you are helping make BWH the safest possible place for patients and staff. Visit BWHPikeNotes.org for more information.

Winter Food Drive

BWH will host a winter-themed food drive in the 75 Francis St. lobby to benefit the Parker Hill/ABCD Emergency Food Pantry in Mission Hill, Dec. 12-19. Beans, rice, cereal, pasta, soups, peanut butter, jelly and canned goods are most needed. Cash or check donations are also accepted. Email jmcgonagle@partners.org with questions.

Mended Hearts Group

Patients with heart disease, their families and caregivers are invited to join a support group, Mended Hearts, at Brigham and Women’s/Mass General Health Care Center in Foxborough. The chapter meets the third Wednesday of each month, 6-8 p.m. The next meeting is Jan. 18. For more information, email lsonis@partners.org or call 508-718-4072.

Sale at BWH Gift Shop: Dec. 14-15

The Shop on the Pike celebrates its seventh year with 20 percent off most items, including select BWH apparel, during a holiday sale, Dec. 14-15. Discounts do not apply to flowers/plants, balloons, candy, gift cards, phone cards and books/magazines. Visit the Shop on the Pike or call 617-732-7878 for more details.

The first issue of Brigham Health, a biannual magazine dedicated to sharing BWH’s role in the biggest stories in health care and innovation, debuted on Dec. 2.

Available online at BrighamHealthMag.org and in print on newsstands across campus, the inaugural Winter 2016/2017 issue includes feature stories about translational research, imaging and the life cycle of clinical trials at BWH.

The launch is the culmination of an 18-month process that included interviews with hospital leaders and donors, as well as an email survey of readers of Brigham and Women’s magazine, the hospital’s previous magazine. Interviews and survey responses revealed readers wanted a new BWH magazine to include stories about health care innovation, profiles of clinicians and scientists, wellness tips and shorter, easier-to-consume content.

Published by BWH Development, Brigham Health incorporates and builds on this input through storytelling, photography and illustrations, supplemented by enriched online content.

“We’ve re-envisioned our magazine from cover to cover, and online at BrighamHealthMag.org, to bring readers more Brigham stories, told in different ways and from different perspectives,” said Joy Howard, managing editor of Brigham Health.

Visit BrighamHealthMag.org to read the first issue. You can also share your feedback at magazine.brighamandwomens.org/contact.

Robert Oldshue

When Robert Oldshue, MD, MFA, was on a date with the woman who would become his wife, there was something he needed to confess up front, he told her. She went pale.

“I like to write,” he said. To his relief, she eagerly asked to see his work.

More than 20 years later, creative writing remains a passion for Oldshue, now a primary care physician at Southern Jamaica Plain Health Center. Like medicine, writing has become his practice – one that earned him the 2016 Iowa Short Fiction Award earlier this year for his short story collection, November Storm. As part of the award – among the most prestigious in the literary world – the collection was released as a book in October.

Oldshue recently spoke with BWH Bulletin about being a physician and an author.

Why do you write?

RO: I teach at Harvard Medical School, and one of the things I talk to the students about is the difference between empathy and sympathy. Empathy is something you do as a matter of discipline. It means that I try to understand what you might be experiencing as you go through a physical exam or are in a cardiac unit.

Sympathy is related, but it’s different. Sympathy is what you feel for your friend: ‘Oh my God, you’re having heart surgery. I’m so sad.’ Sympathy can inform empathy, but it is not appropriate for me, as a doctor, to be weeping when doing a procedure that might be frightening to a patient. What I’m doing when I’m writing is that part of medicine you can’t do in the office. I’m really trying to tap into sympathy.

How did you get into creative writing?

RO: I traveled after college, before I decided to be a physician. I kept a journal and got into the habit of writing every day. I had daydreams about becoming a professional writer and found out that doesn’t happen very often, so I fell into medicine but kept writing. A very big part of why I kept going was encouragement from my wife.

How has your background in medicine influenced your writing?

RO: One of the things I learned very quickly was that the mental processes for writing fiction and medical diagnosis are opposites. In creative writing, they always tell you to add more detail. What was he wearing? What temperature was it? What did it smell like? It’s the potent details; the generalities don’t help you. Whereas in medicine, if a guy shows up to the emergency room wearing a clown suit, carrying a shopping bag with a chicken in it, those details don’t matter as much. You’ve got to answer broader questions: Is he bipolar? Is he a college kid playing a prank? You focus more on generalities.

You also spend a lot of time understanding the difference between activity and action. There’s a lot of activity in the ICU, but the action – meaning things that have an emotional impact – usually happens in the family room.

How do you make time to write?

RO: I take Monday and Friday mornings away from the clinic, and I write on weekends. Also, a lot of writing is thinking things like, ‘Why did she say that?’ You can decide that standing in line at the grocery store. If you’re truly committed to your characters, it’s all mixed in with your day-to-day activities.

Community PCPs Now Accepting New Patients

Partners HealthCare has web and phone resources to help you find BWH- and Partners-affiliated community primary care providers with near-term availability. Visit BWHPikeNotes.org for more information, or call 866-694-3627 on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

BWH Patient Safety Culture Survey

On Nov. 28, about 8,000 BWHers received an email from support@pascalmetrics.com with a link to the 2016 Patient Safety Culture Survey. The confidential insights you share will tell us whether our organizational culture, and the culture in your work area, help us provide safe care. By completing it, you are helping make BWH the safest possible place for patients and staff. Visit BWHPikeNotes.org for more information.

Give Back This Holiday Season at BWH

There are several ways BWHers can give back this holiday season, including donating to our annual Toys for Tots collection. BWHers are invited to bring a new, unwrapped toy to the 75 Francis St. lobby from Dec. 6 to Dec. 8. Toys should be nonviolent in nature and suitable for children up to 12 years of age. Look for the red and white sleigh when dropping off donations. Visit BWHPikeNotes.org for a full list of additional ways you can give back this season. If you know of any upcoming holiday drives or giving programs at BWH, email BWHBulletin@partners.org.

Prevent Bicycle theft With a U-lock

Three bicycles were recently stolen from the BWH bike racks outside the Shapiro building and the Building for Transformative Medicine (60 Fenwood Road). All three bikes were secured with cable or chain locks, which are easily cut by thieves. A U-lock that secures your bike frame and front wheel offers the best protection. BWH also has three secure bicycle cages for employee use, located at 60 Fenwood Road, 5 Francis St. and 10 Vining St. For more information or to sign up to use one of the cages, visit the Security and Parking office in the Neville House on Vining Street or call 617-732-5877.