April 7, 2000

MGH Cancer Center HOPES seminars
The MGH Cancer Center HOPES Program (Helping Our Patients/Families through Education and Support) will offer "Resuming Activity After Abdominal Surgery," facilitated by Deborah Munn, PT, and Molly Hostetler, PT, of Physical Therapy, April 11. "Nutrition During Treatment for Head and Neck Cancer," facilitated by Jill Oravitz, RD, of MGH Nutrition and Food Services, will be offered April 12. All seminars are held in the Cancer Resource Room, Cox 1, noon to 1 pm. For more information, call 4-1822.

Take Our Children to Work Day
Take Our Children to Work Day will be held April 27 at the MGH. Children ages 9 to 15 are invited to learn about health care and the diverse careers and roles at the MGH. MGHers should get approval from supervisors to participate. Activities have been planned, however, MGHers will need to supervise children. Check-in for registered children will begin at 7:30 am in the East Garden Dining Room, across from the exit to the Eat Street Café. The program will include a free breakfast, lunchtime displays of careers and departments and a closing session in the Ether Dome. MGHers who are located at CNY may participate in the Partners program. Registration forms must be submitted by April 17 and can be obtained at MGH Human Resources offices. For more information about the main campus program, call 4-7835. For more information about the Partners program at CNY, call 4-0928.

Blood donor survey responses
Surveys about the MGH Blood Donor Center were sent out with paychecks last week. MGHers should fill out the surveys — regardless of whether they have donated blood in the past — to help the Blood Donor Center determine new hours and days of operation and find ways to make the donating experience better. MGHers are encouraged to return surveys to the Blood Donor Center through in-house mail to Gray 1, J-148E. MGHers who need additional surveys may obtain them from the Blood Donor Center. For more information, call 6-8171.

Clinical Research Program seminar series
The Clinical Research Program (CRP) will sponsor a lecture about "Medical Devices in Clinical Research," April 12, noon to 1 pm in the Wellman 101 Conference Room. Marianne Dyke, MS, RN, of Partners Corporate-Sponsored Research and Licensing, will facilitate. Lunch will be served. To register, call the CRP reservation line at 6-1669. This lecture is open to all clinical research personnel.

Durante Awards presentation
The second annual Susan and Arthur Durante Award for Exemplary Care and Service with Cancer Patients will be presented April 13 at 3:15 pm in the O’Keeffe Auditorium. This year the award recognizes Joan Holmes, of the Gillette Center for Women’s Cancers at the MGH, and Clare Swan, RN, of the MGH Infusion Unit. A reception will follow outside of the Blossom Street Café. The award honors two nonphysician staff members who exhibit compassion, caring and exemplary performance with cancer patients.

Alcohol Awareness Month
April is national Alcohol Awareness Month, and MGH Addiction Services recently provided information about alcohol abuse and free alcohol screenings to MGHers. Screenings included a brief questionnaire about drinking habits. Those wishing referrals to treatment programs were provided with information. MGHers and patients who missed the chance to learn more about their personal drinking habits can consult Addiction Services year-round for information and guidance. To find out more about MGH Addiction Services or to schedule an appointment with an addiction specialist, call 6-2712. All meetings are confidential.