June 18, 1999

Summer computer training
Throughout the summer, Partners Information Systems will offer computer workshops focusing on standard Partners software applications. The workshops will be held at Charles River Plaza, 185 Cambridge St. A new class entitled "Access for Researchers" will be offered. For more information, including class schedules and descriptions, and for online registration, visit the website http://helpdesk.partners.org/data, then select "Training." Schedules and registration forms also are available by calling (800) 315-0895.

Mass General West hosts seminar about babies’ health
Mass General West invites soon-to-be mothers and fathers to a free health seminar entitled "Baby’s First Year: A Sneak Preview for Expectant Parents." The seminar will take place June 24, 6 to 7:30 pm, and again June 26, 10 to 11:30 am, at the practice, which is located at 40 Second Ave., fourth floor, Waltham, exit 27B off Route 95/128. Physicians from Mass General West — Beth Hutensky, MD, Robin Jones, MD, and Stephen Takeo Nishiyama, MD — will discuss the first year of life and give practical advice about keeping babies healthy, including feeding, getting immunizations and selecting a pediatrician. Free on-site parking will be available. For more information, call (781) 522-9000.

MGH Charlestown health fair
All are invited to celebrate Health Awareness Day at the annual MGH Charlestown HealthCare Center health fair June 24, 1 to 6 pm, at Johnnie’s Foodmaster in the Bunker Hill Mall, Charlestown. This year’s fair will focus on healthy foods, families and lifestyles and will feature free blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol and body fat screenings, food samples and demonstrations. For more information, call the health center at 4-8197.

STD testing
The Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Unit at the MGH offers affordable evaluation and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases. Services are offered on a walk-in basis at three convenient sites throughout the MGH network. Site locations and hours include MGH — Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 11 am, Monday and Wednesday, 1 to 3 pm, and Monday, 5 to 7 pm, Founders 8; MGH Chelsea HealthCare Center — Tuesday, 1:30 to 3:30 pm, 100 Everett Ave., and Thursday, 3 to 6 pm, 151 Everett Ave.; and BWH — Wednesday, 1:30 to 3:30 pm, and Friday, 8:30 to 11 am, Peter Bent Brigham Building A, fourth floor. For information, call 6-2748.

Parenting in the first year
The Employee Assistance Program will host a seminar entitled "Parenting in the First Year" June 29, 1 to 2 pm, VBK 401. The discussion will focus on balancing work and family, personal health, child care and the impact of parenting on relationships. The program will identify coping strategies to help deal with the transition of becoming a parent. For more information, call 6-6976.

Cabot Clinicopathological Conferences
The weekly Cabot Clinicopathological Conferences (CPCs), which have run year-round at the MGH for the past 75 years, will continue to be offered this summer every Thursday through Aug. 5 (except July 1), noon to 1 pm, in the O’Keeffe Auditorium. The CPCs will resume in September. The conferences are abridged as the "Case Records of the Massachusetts General Hospital" in the New England Journal of Medicine and featured in "What’s the Diagnosis" on the journal’s website (www.nejm.org). For more information, call 6-8897.

Cancer support
The MGH Cancer Center Patient and Family Support Program will offer the following seminars for patients, families and staff next week in the Cancer Resource Room: "Spirituality: Faith, Why Me? Reasons to Hope," June 21, noon to 1 pm; "Melanoma: Questions and Answers about Treatment," June 21, 2 to 3 pm; and "Parenting in Challenging Times: Drop-in Support Group for Parents," June 22, 11 am to noon; "Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplantation: A Discussion," June 24, 1 to 2 pm. For more information, call 4-1822.

Schwartz Center Rounds
The next Kenneth B. Schwartz Center Rounds will take place June 25, noon to 1 pm, in the Walcott Conference Room. The topic of this month’s rounds will be "Cancer and Sexuality: Conversation Comfort Zone." Lunch will be served starting at 11:45 am. CME credits are available. To register, call 4-6862.

Eastpointe open house
Eastpointe Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center will hold an open house June 24, 4 to 6:30 pm, 255 Central Ave., Chelsea. Charles Pu, MD, of MGH Beacon Hill Senior Health, subacute medical director at Eastpointe, will be the master of ceremonies at the event. Eastpointe recently completed a new addition that includes 12 beds and an apartment for functional retraining. For more information, call (781) 845-5961.

Support Service Employee Grant Program
The Support Service Employee Grant Program at the MGH awarded 37 educational grants to employees this year. The response to this year-old program has been very strong and, therefore, no additional grants will be awarded this summer. Support service employees who are interested in the grant program should watch for an announcement in the MGH Hotline in late July or August regarding applying for grants in the fall.