August 1 , 2003

Lunch is served:
Monthly forum promotes discussion

Peter L. Slavin, MD, has a busy schedule. Since he took on the role of president of the MGH in January, his daily routine usually involves back-to-back meetings, phone calls and other responsibilities required to oversee the smooth operation of New England's largest and oldest teaching hospital. His calendar, however, has a special date marked once a month, reserving time for Slavin to have a leisurely lunch with a select group of movers and shakers at the hospital — MGH employees.

In June, Slavin began hosting these monthly lunches with small groups of 10 to 12 MGH employees to provide a forum for staff to discuss ideas, concerns and general feelings about the hospital. And in return, Slavin has the opportunity to hear
firsthand what is going on throughout the hospital and have a dialogue about hospital issues. Employees are selected randomly through Human Resources and represent various areas of the hospital. Their job responsibilities range from support services staff to technicians, from clinicians to supervisors.

"One challenge in my role as president is that I'm often three or four steps removed from the people on the front lines of the hospital, who are actually conducting our clinical, research and education activities," says Slavin. "These luncheons are a way for me to stay connected to various members of the hospital community. I have an opportunity to learn from them about any concerns they may have. And they have an opportunity to learn more about what issues the hospital is facing and in what direction we are headed."

Since January, Slavin also has had the opportunity to meet and greet with employees around the MGH during "hospital rounds," in which he visits specific areas to learn more about their operations and their work.