• Disaster planning at the MGH takes on new reality
  The scenario played out like this: a "dirty bomb" – an explosive with radioactive material – destroyed part of a runway at Logan airport, damaging a plane that had just landed from Paris. More than 100 injured survivors were transported to Boston hospitals for contamination screening, decontamination and treatment. This situation was the subject of a citywide disaster drill that took place Nov. 7 and 8, involving most Boston-area hospitals – including the MGH – local and federal emergency response agencies and the Massachusetts Port Authority.

• MGH honors a rare kind of hero
  The MGH Lung Transplant Program recently honored uncommon heroes – living lung donors – and the generous gift they have given to a loved one. Family, friends, staff and transplant recipients gathered at a special celebration Nov. 8 to give thanks to the people who donated part of their lung to a family member or friend.

• MGHers recognized for recognizing the need
  There is about a 90 percent chance that a person will require a blood product at some point in his or her life, yet only 5 percent of the eligible population donates blood, according to national surveys on blood donations. These surprising facts were shared at the third annual MGH Employee Blood Donor Recognition Luncheon held Nov. 8 for those who donated four or more times during the 2001 and 2002 fiscal years. More than 160 MGH employees were recognized for donating their blood or platelets.

• An MGH pioneer returns
  The MGH had a special visit Nov. 5 from a pioneer in the world of women's health. Janet McArthur, MD, ScD – one of the physicians highlighted in the "History of Women in Medicine" exhibit displayed in the Main Corridor – came to see the exhibit, which is sponsored by the MGH Office for Women's Careers. The display features women physicians from the past who have helped build the reputation of the MGH and have paved the path for today's women in medicine.

• North End Community Health Center transformed into an art gallery
  Colorful artwork depicting stick figures, alarm clocks, leaf prints and portraits of friends livened up the walls of the North End Community Health Center for the grand opening of an art exhibit Nov. 6 called "Multi-Generational Expressions." This exhibit featured 47 pieces of art by children and seniors involved in the North End Children's Center and the adult day program at the Villa Michelangelo.

• Patient privacy: Always a priority
  MGHers recognized National Health Information Management Week with an information table in the Main Corridor Nov. 6 and 7. Staff members were on hand at the table to answer questions about the hospital's policies regarding patient privacy and to distribute the MGH privacy notice, which will be given to all patients within the next few months.

• AMMP bestows honor
  At a luncheon held Oct. 25, the Association of Multicultural Members of Partners (AMMP)
  gave its Award for Excellence in Diversity to Ernesto Gonzalez, MD, of MGH Dermatology and the MGH Multicultural Affairs Office, in recognition of his lifetime achievements as an advocate for increasing the participation of Latino professionals in health care and medical education.
  

• What's Happening

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