June 25, 2004

Making a difference the MGH way

Many MGHers make a difference every day in the work they do, and a select group of these employees recently were recognized at a reception June 7 in the Trustees Room to celebrate the achievements of the 2004 recipients of the Making a Difference grant program. The program offers awards of up to $5,000 and one special award of $10,000 to support employees' ideas for improving the quality of service provided to patients, families and fellow MGHers.

The reception featured a display of 23 posters, describing each creative idea and how the individual or team brought their service improvement idea to fruition. The posters will again be on display the weeks of June 28 and July 5 along the Main and Ellison corridors.

Ginger Capasso, RN, describes her project to Richard Bringhurst, MD.

The program is entering its fourth year since it was re-launched in 2001. "Thanks to funding from the MGH and the Massachusetts General Physicians Organization, we are once again able to support the implementation of new and exciting initiatives," says Mary Cunningham, director of the MGH Service Improvement Program. For the 2004 program, 55 grant applications were received from 25 areas throughout the hospital.

Applications for the 2005 Making a Difference grant program now are being accepted. Applications are due by Aug. 15. For more information, call (617) 724-1004 or send e-mail to mccunningham@partners.org.