Caring Headlines - May 31, 2001 - Celebrating the grace and greatness of MGH nurses

MGH’s observance of Nurse Week included two weeks of special events, receptions, presentations and a gala outing to the Museum of Science, all geared at rewarding, enriching and renewing MGH nurses. This issue of Caring Headlines is exclusively dedicated to coverage of our Nurse Week celebration.

There were movies! There was popcorn! There were games, and there was laughter. But despite the mantle of levity, there was a serious message embedded in the Nurse Week presentation of Jeanette Ives Erickson, RN, senior vice president for Patient Care and chief nurse: We are on the verge of a nursing shortage that could precipitate a national healthcare calamity, and we have an opportunity to impact the future. If we don’t define the future of our profession... who will?

Ives Erickson talked about how the public’s perception of nursing is created. What informs people about nursing, and are they getting the right information? "Certainly," said Ives Erickson, "anyone whose life has been touched by a nurse knows the importance of nursing as a profession. But what are research studies, public opinion and the media saying about us?"

The 1998 Hart Report, which polled public opinion on health care, asked the question, "Who is making the healthcare system better for consumers?" Sixty-seven percent responded: nurses.

Within the walls of MGH, public opinion of nursing is excellent. Patient satisfaction surveys are good; letters received by the MGH Office of Patient Advocacy praise nursing practice as exemplary. "And I personally," said Ives Erickson, "can attest to the high quality of nursing care delivered at this hospital."

But what about the media? How are nurses portrayed on television and in the movies? To make her point, Ives Erickson showed a series of film clips from movies and television shows such as: M*A*S*H, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Cider House Rules, Meet the Parents, The English Patient, Wit, and China Beach. You can well imagine the winces and groans that greeted nurse Rachet’s presence on the big screen.

As the lights came back up, Ives Erickson looked out over the audience. "What is the message here?" she asked. "If we remain silent... others will portray us in whatever light they want.

"You all have stories. You all have made a difference in the lives of your patients. If each one of you here today told one story to just one young person, we could change the future. Tell someone about the difference you made today, and you plant the seeds for a new generation of nurses."

Enumerating ways to help define our own reality and influence the future of health care, Ives Erickson pointed to clinical narratives; a willingness to help recruit and retain new nurses; working as preceptors and educators of our young; valuing our practice and being the best we can be; and perhaps most importantly—using our voice!

Nurse Week is a time of reflection, and Ives Erickson asked audience members to use this Nurse Week to reflect on some very specific points. "Ask yourselves these questions," she said. "Why did you become a nurse? Why do you continue to practice nursing? How do you communicate your practice outside the walls of MGH? And what do you do to maintain your spirit, your knowledge, your practice, and your profession?"

On a lighter note, Ives Erickson referred to the recent media frenzy over the much-talked-about Survivor television show and the fact that a 40-year-old nursing assistant emerged victorious in Survivor II. Said Ives Erickson, "She wasn’t the most physically fit person on the island. And she wasn’t experienced in survival techniques. It was her ethical play and her ability to strategize that led her to win." This gave Ives Erickson the idea for Survivor III: The MGH Nursing Game!

She distributed questions to the audience designed to help MGH nurses, "outwit, outplay, and outlast the competition!" Responders were asked to answer the following questions:

Questions spurred discussion about the importance of a patient-first philosophy of care, autonomy of practice, educational opportunities, collaborative relationships with other clinicians and other disciplines, recognition for clinical achievements, and opportunities for coaching and mentoring.

In closing, Ives Erickson thanked "all the people in the room whose work it is to ensure patients and their families receive the highest quality, compassionate care. I’m thrilled to say that I work alongside the best nurses in the world! I hope this session helped convey how wonderful I think you are, how fortunate we are to practice with you, and how important it is for all of us to keep talking about our practice!"

Violinist, Colin Matthews, began his presentation by sharing some of his own personal experiences in harnessing his inner power and the power of the universe to heal and uplift. He led the group in a series of stretching and abdominal-breathing exercises to begin the journey into calmness and meditation. Matthews punctuated his interactive presentation with a number of relaxing violin serenades to help participants reach, "that place that is no place, in a time where there is no time."

No doubt, all who attended this session were revitalized as the MGH Chapel reverberated with the strength and beauty of Colin Matthews’ soothing words and music.

Moderated by senior vice president for Patient Care and chief nurse, Jeanette Ives Erickson, RN, MS, this panel discussion focused on promoting nursing through media coverage and influencing public policy. Each panelist spoke briefly about issues related to her area of expertise, and a lively question-and-answer session followed. Below are some of the key points presented by:

Ellison 9 staff nurse, Maryellen MacNamara, RN, BSN, presented an overview of her research study, "The Effects of Back Massage Before Diagnostic Cardiac Catheterization." Following is a brief summary of her presentation:

Chris Graf, RN, PhD, FAAN, director of PCS Management Systems, reported on her research study, "Associate Degree Graduate Nurses’ Pursuit of Further Education." Following are some key points of her presentation:

Boston College School of Nursing professor, Joellen Hawkins, RN, PhD, FAAN, proudly acknowledges that she is, "not a linear person," so not surprisingly, neither was her presentation, which focused on women’s roles in the establishment of settlement houses and how the legacy of settlement houses still drives our work today. Non-linear, perhaps, but certainly illuminating, Hawkins shared some personal and historical occurrences that led her to pursue a career in nursing. Interweaving family anecdotes with nursing milestones over the years, Hawkins recounted the early history of the Visiting Nurses Association, settlement houses and the strong collaboration that has always existed between nurses and social workers.

Among the many other Nurse Week events vying for nurses’ attention was the hospital-wide display of nursing research posters, sponsored by the Nursing Research Committee. Maps and abstracts of posters were available to help staff locate specific posters. A record 20 poster presentations were on display throughout Nurse Week, including:

Diane L. Carroll, RN, PhD, Cindy Finn, RN, Stephanie Gill, RN, Joanne Sawyer, RN, Beth Judge, RN, MSN

Mary McKenna Guanci, RN, MSN, CNRN, Joan O’Donnell, RN, CNRN, Daria LeSanto, RN

Joan B. Fitzmaurice, RN, PhD, Jeanette Ives Erickson, RN, MS, Marianne Ditomassi, RN, MSN, MBA

Moderated by executive director to the office of senior vice president for Patient Care, Marianne Ditomassi, RN, MSN, this question-and-answer driven panel discussion gave attendees an opportunity to meet associate chief nurses, Theresa Gallivan, RN, MS; Trish Gibbons, RN, DNSc; Jackie Somerville, RN, MS; and Dawn Tenney, RN, MSN. Questions posed by Ditomassi and audience members allowed panelists to share their thoughts on a variety of subjects. Below are some highlights of the discussion:

The first question, asked by Marianne Ditomassi, was: How does your role as associate chief impact nursing practice? Panelists responded as follows:

Some of you have recently come to MGH from other hospitals. How do you think MGH compares with other institutions?

Did any of you have a mentor; are there any memories you can share with us about your experience with a mentor?

Trauma death of a 28-year-old: two clinicians help a family to view the body and keep a lock of hair
The following exemplar was published in the April, 2001, issue of the Journal of Emergency Nursing. It is re-printed here, in its entirety, with no editorial changes.

At 8:00am the advanced life support crew radioed that they were en route with a patient in traumatic arrest. The patient was a 28-year-old male construction worker who fell approximately 13 stories at a high-rise job site. Advanced life support responders found him in full arrest with fixed and dilated pupils. The patient was intubated, large bore IV lines were inserted, a right chest needle thoracostomy was performed, and chest compressions were started. Estimated rime of arrival was 5 to 8 minutes.

Upon arrival, the patient had no vital signs, and his pupils were fixed and dilated. The physical examination, consistent with high-energy impact, revealed significant head, chest, abdominal, pelvic, and extremity trauma. Shortly after arrival, the patient was pronounced dead. The field crew provided the name of the patient, as well as the names of a friend and his on-site supervisor who were en route to the hospital.

At our hospital, an advanced practice trauma nurse (APTN) is involved with the care of trauma patients from resuscitation through discharge. In this case, I focused on notifying the patient’s family and supporting the co-workers who were on site when the accident occurred. One worker had already been taken to another hospital with stress-related complaints.

Because the patient’s family was from out of state, following a discussion with the trauma attending physician, we decided to inform the family by phone. I spoke with the patient’s mother about the incident, the scene, and our care of her son. She was distraught but asked relevant questions; she described her family and expressed a need to see her son. The patient’s brothers would travel a distance to the mother’s home and they would join her to come as a family. The mother wanted to see and touch her son and asked where he would be when they arrived in about six hours. I told her that because of the time frame, we would be unable to keep him in the Emergency Department. He would be transferred to the hospital’s morgue and then to the medical examiner’s office.

The mother was concerned about where and how she would see her son. She did not want to "view" him through a glass wall or see him "pulled out of a wall refrigerator." We talked about the possibility of seeing him at the medical examiner’s office or the funeral home, but she wanted to see him before he left the hospital and have direct contact with him. I explained that because this was a medical examiner’s case, by law I had no control over that office, but that I would try to keep him at the hospital until she saw him. She then gave permission for me to let his friend and supervisor know of her son’s death. I spoke with the staff in the hospital morgue and they agreed to try to keep the patient on site until the mother arrived. I also asked the ED reception staff to page me when the family arrived.

At 4:30pm I was notified of their arrival. I quickly checked with the morgue to make sure the patient was still on site and then met the family in the grief room.

Present were the mother, her two sons, and a family friend. While talking with them, I was asked to take a phone call about the patient. It was his fiancee. The patient’s mother took the call, and although they had never met, shared the devastating news of their loved one’s death.

An ED psychiatric clinical nurse specialist (PCNS) was also involved in this case from the beginning. When the patient’s friend and supervisor arrived at the hospital, they were upset and aware of the gravity of the situation. Because the patient’s next of kin had not been notified of his death, we avoided telling them of his death, but did say, "After a fall like this, it is not likely that he can survive." They wanted to be useful, so they were asked to help get phone numbers of the patient’s family.

As the oncoming PCNS, I received report from the APTN and the day PCNS and wondered how I could best support this grieving family. Remembering how a lock of hair had been helpful to another family, I grabbed scissors and an envelope as the patient’s family and I began to walk toward the morgue. As with any medical examiner case, we knew the body should be left intact and disturbed as little as possible. We felt we could meet the medical examiner’s needs and still honor the family’s request to be with him.

Nearing the morgue, I went ahead to prepare the patient’s body as the APTN explained to the family what to expect. The mother clutched a photo album, and while waiting for me, she showed the album to the APTN. I wheeled the patient from the refrigerator to a viewing room with curtains, chairs, and dim lighting and prepared the body as I normally do—uncovering the plastic sheet from his face to his shoulders and placing a cotton sheet over his body and towels under his head. I also uncovered his hand (which I do if there is no injury to it) and lowered the side rails. The endotracheal tube and nasogastric rube had been cut to behind his lip line. The family entered the room, took a moment to adjust to seeing him, and then moved closer. As they began sobbing, talking to him and each other, the APTN and I took this as a cue to retreat outside the door and allow them privacy. About 10 minutes later, as their conversations diminished (another cue), we re-entered. I approached the mother and the APTN approached the sons. I hugged her and, as she sobbed, she asked if I was a mother. With tears in my eyes I nodded yes. After a few minutes, she sighed and as we gazed at her son, she said, "I’m surprised how peaceful he looks." I then asked if she wanted a lock of his hair. Without hesitating, she said yes. When asked if she wanted to cut the lock herself, she did, and so I handed her the scissors.

As we left the morgue, the family seemed more peaceful. We asked if they wanted to sit and talk, but they were meeting with the patient’s fiancee, who lived a distance away. As we walked toward the exit, the mother again opened her photo album, as if to introduce me to her son. She said he had a sad childhood after his father died and that she was relieved he had finally found happiness with his recent engagement and new love, the woman they were about to meet for the first time. Reminiscing and telling us about his life was very important; they wanted us to know him as they had known him. This situation was similar to the situation we often encounter in the ICU, when families display pictures around a comatose or dying loved one. When a patient dies in the Emergency Department, our PCNSs routinely call the family to ask how they are, to answer any questions, and to offer support and referrals for grief work, if indicated. After about six weeks we reached the mother. She was grateful for our bereavement call and told us that two things were most helpful—being able to see and touch her son in the dignity of the (viewing) room and obtaining the lock of his hair. She thanked us for both and said that being able to cut and keep the lock of hair made her feel like "I was mothering him again." She said these two things helped give her strength during the past six weeks to face all of her pain.

In the future, I will document for the medical examiner and medical record that the family viewed the body and that a lock of hair was cut, noting the precise location and amount of hair cut. Before other ED nurses incorporate this procedure into their practice, they may want to contact the state medical examiner’s office to ensure that the practice is not in violation of their standards and to determine how they would like to have it documented in the medical record. Looking back, allowing the mother to see her son’s body without a barrier between them was the right thing to do, as was offering the lock of hair. Although we routinely offer a lock of hair to the parents of infants and children who die, we don’t often think to do it with adults, let alone older patients—mothers or fathers, for example. After sharing this experience with ED staff and other colleagues and clearing our intentions with the medical examiner’s office, we now plan to offer this opportunity to all families of ED patients who die.

Comments by Jeanette Ives Erickson, RN, MS, senior vice president for Patient Care and chief nurse

Reading this narrative, I am reminded of the immeasurably difficult and important work clinicians do while caring for families at a time of loss and in its aftermath. Legal considerations in these situations are of utmost concern, and as you see in this narrative, Alice and Suzanne were able to help assuage the grief of this family while at the same time being mindful of, and adhering to, all necessary legal requirements. What better way to speak to the ‘art’ and ‘science’ of nursing?

As this mother and family emerge from the stinging pain of loss, I have no doubt that they will carry the memory of Alice and Suzanne’s kindness and compassion with them, and draw comfort from it.

Culturally Competent Care: Understanding our Patients, Ourselves and Each Other, is part of the on-going curriculum offered by The Center for Clinical & Professional Development. The program provides a forum for staff to learn about the impact of culture on our lives and on our interactions with patients, families and co-workers. Topics generally include: principles of cultural competency; understanding the dynamics of difference; Western medicine; language services; and more.

However, on Wednesday, May 16, 2001, the Culturally Competent Care workshop included a newly introduced exercise led by Deborah Washington, RN, director of PCS Diversity. The exercise was called, "Five Tricks," and it involved a simple game of cards.

Participants were seated at different tables, with approximately five or six players per table. Washington handed out an instruction sheet explaining the rules of the game. Participants were told they couldn’t speak to one another once they finished reading the instructions (sign language was okay).

After the first game, Washington asked one or two players from each table to move to a different table and play with a different group of people.

Play began again. Only this time, it didn’t go quite as smoothly. Players cast questioning looks. There was a noticeable increase in sign language. There was laughter and some confusion. But players completed the game, and again, Washington asked one or two players from each table to switch to a new table.

Once again, play began. There was more confusion. More sign language. More laughter. Some tables threw in their cards, perplexed.

What players didn’t realize was that every table had been given a different set of instructions. Each table had a completely different understanding of ‘the rules.’ And what ensued was a telling, albeit humorous, example of what happens when different cultures ‘collide!’

The game was followed by an insightful discussion, led by Washington, about what it’s like to be out-numbered by people who play by different rules; what it’s like to enter a new culture; what it’s like to try to figure out the rules when you’re all alone and you can’t communicate with the people around you; how do you come to a common understanding of ‘the right thing to do?’

The game was a wonderful exercise in cultural awareness and an excellent trigger for self-reflection, two key factors in our ability to deliver culturally competent care.

Sylvia Rimm, PhD, bestselling author of See Jane Win, was a special Nurse Week presenter who spoke about her latest book, How Jane Won, a compilation of stories about 55 successful women who grew from ‘ordinary’ girls to extraordinary women. The book includes interviews with such successful women as Sandra Day O’Connor; Jane Pauley; astronaut, Cady Coleman; and our own Jeanette Ives Erickson. Attending the session were Dr. James Mongan, president of MGH; members of the Women in Management Group; Ives Erickson’s mother and sister; and two other distinguished women featured in the book: Pauline Robitaille, RN, director of Surgical Services at New England Baptist Hospital; and Sandra Labas Fenwick, chief operating officer of Children’s Hospital. Said Rimm:

Sponsored by the MGH department of Nursing and The Center for Clinical & Professional Development, "Coronary Syndromes" was a day-long conference dedicated to educating nurses and others on the care and treatment of patients suffering from a wide variety of coronary syndromes. Topics included:

Ending MGH’s celebration of Nurse Week on a ‘high note,’ songteller, Janice Allen and her 13-year-old son, Cyrus, treated attendees to a musical journey through African American history. In a blend of traditional African folk songs, gospel music and story-telling, Allen re-kindled the pride, the passion and the poignancy of a turbulent and triumphant past!

June 7

7:45am, 1:00pm, 4:00pm

VBK 401

CPR—American Heart Association BLS Re-Training

Registration is required by 12:00 noon of the day prior to class. For information, or to register, call The Center for Clinical & Professional Development at 726-3111.

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June 7

1:30–2:30pm

O’Keeffe Auditorium

Nursing Grand Rounds

Nursing Grand Rounds are held on the first and third Thursdays of each month. This presentation will focus on, "Cultural Competency in Phlebotomy," presented by Phil Waithe, RN, clinical educator. For more information, call The Center for Clinical & Professional Development at 726-3111.

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June 11

8:00am–4:00pm

O’Keeffe Auditorium

2001: A Diabetic Odyssey

This program is designed to enhance nurses’ knowledge around the care of patients with diabetes. Topics will include patho-physiology of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes; pharmacological interventions, monitoring and management of diabetes; nutrition and exercise; complications; and caring for special populations such as pediatrics, geriatrics, critically ill, and pregnant women. No fee for MGH employees. $30 for Partners employees. $75 all others. Pre-admission is required. For more information, call The Center for Clinical & Professional Development at 726-3111.

8 June 12

7:30–8:30am

Patient Family Learning Center

On-Line Patient Education: Tips to Ensure Success

This program is geared toward clinicians who have basic Internet navigational skills. The goal is to give staff the tools to find quality patient-education materials to enhance clinical practice and discharge teaching. For more information, call The Center for Clinical & Professional Development at 726-3111.

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June 12

8:00–11:15am

Haber Conference Room

Intermediate Arrhythmias

This 4-hour program is designed for nurses who wants to expand their knowledge of arrhythmias. The program prepares staff to take the level B arrhythmia exam. For more information, call The Center for Clinical & Professional Development at 726-3111.

3.9 June 12

12:00–4:30pm

Haber Conference Room

Pacing and Beyond

This new and exciting workshop will discuss indications for initiating therapy, fundamentals of the pacemaker system, pacer implantation, international codes/modes of pacing and nursing care. Rhythm-strip analysis will focus on normal functioning and basic trouble-shooting. The session will conclude with a discussion of current and future technology. For more information, call The Center for Clinical & Professional Development at 726-3111.

5.1 June 13

1:30–2:30pm

Bigelow 4 Amphitheater

OA/PCA/USA Connections

Continuing education session offered for patient care associates, operations associates, and unit service associates. This session is entitled, "Infection Control Update." Pre-registration is not required. For more information, call The Center for Clinical & Professional Development at 726-3111.

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June 13

5:30–7:00pm

O’Keeffe Auditorium

Advanced Practice Nurse Millennium Series

This new series provides an opportunity for advanced practice nurses from throughout MGH to network and attend clinical, management and professional development presentations for continuing education. This session is entitled, "Summertime Reds and Blues," presented by Sandy Sharon Tsao, MD, laser and cosmetic dermatology surgeon. For more information, call The Center for Clinical & Professional Development at 726-3111.

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June 13, 8:00am–12:00pm

June 15 (Exam)

8:00–10:00am

Bigelow 4 Amphitheatre

Transfusion Therapy Course (Lecture & Exam)

For ICU nurses only. Pre-registration is required. For information, call Sue Pauley at 6-3632; to register, call The Center for Clinical & Professional Development at 726-3111.

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June 14 and 15

7:30am–4:30pm

Shriners Hospital

Auditorium

Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Provider Course

Limited to 45 people; registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Fee: $150 for Partners nurses, therapists, residents; $225 for non-Partners nurses, therapists, residents; $275 for physicians. For more information, call 726-8287. To register, call 726-3111.

TBA

June 14

8:00am–4:30pm

Training Department

Charles River Plaza

Culturally Competent Care: Understanding Our Patients, Ourselves and Each Other

Program will provide a forum for staff to learn about the impact of culture in our lives and interactions with patients, families and co-workers. Topics include understanding and defining the importance of culture; the principles of cultural competency; understanding the dynamics of difference; the culture of Western bio-medicine; and the appropriate use of language services. A variety of interactive exercises will help to illustrate the concepts presented. For more information, call The Center for Clinical & Professional Development at 726-3111.

7.2 June 15

8:00am–4:30pm

Training Department

Charles River Plaza

Preceptor Development Program: Level I

Program is geared toward MGH staff nurses and advanced practice nurses who have served, or are interested in serving, as clinical preceptors for new graduates, experienced nurses, student nurses or international guests. Participants explore the roles of educator, role model, facilitator and clinical coach as well as partner in planning and guiding clinical experiences. For more information, or to register, call The Center for Clinical & Professional Development at 726-3111.

7 June 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27

7:30am–4:00pm

New England Baptist Hospital

Critical Care in the New Millennium: Core Program

For ICU nurses only. This program provides a foundation for practice in the care of critically ill patients. Pick up curriculum books and location directions from the Center for Clinical & Professional Development on Founders 6 before attending program. For more information, call The Center for Clinical & Professional Development at 726-3111.

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for completing all six days

June18

7:45am, 1:00pm, 4:00pm

VBK 401

CPR—American Heart Association BLS Re-Training

Registration is required by 12:00 noon of the day prior to class. For information, or to register, call The Center for Clinical & Professional Development at 726-3111.

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June 21

1:30–2:30pm

Clinics 3 Upper

Amphitheater

Nursing Grand Rounds

Nursing Grand Rounds are held on the first and third Thursdays of each month. This presentation will focus on, "Cross-Cultural Primary Care: a Patient-Based Approach," presented by Dr. Joseph Betancourt, Office of Multi-Cultural Affairs. For more information, call The Center for Clinical & Professional Development at 726-3111. (Note change in location from O’Keeffe Auditorium to Clinics 3 Upper Amphitheater.)

1.2 June 21

10:00–11:30am

O’Keeffe Auditorium

Social Services Grand Rounds

"Men and Depression," presented by Terry Real, MSW, private practice, The Family Institute in Cambridge. All staff are welcome. For more information, call 724-9115.

CEUs

for social workers only

June 22

8:00–11:00am

12:00–3:00pm

O’Keeffe Auditorium

Time to Change

Part of a four-part program sponsored by the Ethics in Clinical Practice Committee, the Palliative Care Department, and The Center for Clinical & Professional Development. This session will present a successful community model (Balm of Gilead) to inspire change in the healthcare system as it relates to caring for the dying. Program will include both lecture and discussion, as well as a video of the highly acclaimed Bill Moyers PBS series. For more information, call The Center for Clinical & Professional Development at 726-3111.

3.6 June 28

8:00am–4:30pm

Training Department

Charles River Plaza

Preceptor Development Program: Level II

Program is geared toward experienced nurses who have functioned as clinical preceptors. This workshop provides participants with an opportunity to further advance their knowledge and skills in developing effective strategies to meet the challenges of precepting, managing conflict, thinking creatively, and coaching for success. For more information, or to register, call The Center for Clinical & Professional Development at 726-3111.

7.8 July 5

7:45am, 1:00pm, 4:00pm

VBK 401

CPR—American Heart Association BLS Re-Training

Registration is required by 12:00 noon of the day prior to class. For information, or to register, call The Center for Clinical & Professional Development at 726-3111.

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July 5

1:30–2:30pm

O’Keeffe Auditorium

Nursing Grand Rounds

Nursing Grand Rounds are held on the first and third Thursdays of each month. For more information about this session call The Center for Clinical & Professional Development at 726-3111.

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If you are unable to attend a program/workshop for which you have already registered, please notify The Center for Clinical & Professional Development at 726-3111 to allow someone else to attend in your place. Thank-you. To apply for nursing continuing education contact hours, please contact Brian French, RN, at 724-7843.

Published by:

Caring Headlines is published twice each month by the department of Patient Care Services at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Publisher

Jeanette Ives Erickson RN, MS,

senior vice president for Patient Care

and chief nurse

Managing Editor/Writer

Susan Sabia

Editorial Advisory Board

Chaplaincy

Mary Martha Thiel

Development & Public Affairs Liaison

Georgia Peirce

Editorial Support

Marianne Ditomassi, RN, MSN, MBA, executive director to the office of senior vice president for Patient Care

Mary Ellin Smith, RN, MS

Materials Management

Edward Raeke

Nutrition & Food Services

Patrick Baldassaro

Martha Lynch, MS, RD, CNSD

Orthotics & Prosthetics

Eileen Mullen

Patient Care Services, Diversity

Deborah Washington, RN, MSN

Physical Therapy

Occupational Therapy

Michael G. Sullivan, PT, MBA

Reading Language Disorders

Carolyn Horn, MEd

Respiratory Care

Ed Burns, RRT

Speech-Language Pathology

Carmen Vega-Barachowitz, MS, SLP

Distribution

Please contact Ursula Hoehl at 726-9057 for all issues related to distribution

Submission of Articles

Written contributions should be

submitted directly to Susan Sabia

as far in advance as possible.

Caring Headlines cannot guarantee the inclusion of any article.

Articles/ideas may be submitted

by telephone: 617.724.1746

by fax: 617.726.4133

or by e-mail: ssabia @partners.org

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