October 28, 2005

What's Happening

Webcast discussion about pharmaceutical industry
The American Academy of Pharmaceutical Physicians will host a special program "Renegotiating the Grand Bargain: People, Health and the Pharmaceutical Industry — Who Owes What to Whom?" Nov. 3. Greg Koski, MD, PhD, of the MGH Institute of Health Policy, will chair this discussion that examines what has been called "the grand bargain" between people and drug companies. The webcast can be viewed starting Nov. 7 after 5 pm at www.kaisernetwork.org/health_cast.

Smoking cessation program
The MGH Quit Smoking Service will offer a seven-week smoking cessation program Wednesday evenings, beginning Nov. 2, at 5:30 pm at 50 Staniford St., ninth floor. Topics will include preparing to quit, techniques to cope with stress without cigarettes and preventing weight gain. Low-cost nicotine patches and/or gum will be available to participants with written approval from their physician. Pre-registration is required. For more information, contact Ann Richards at (617) 726-7443.

Pri-Med East 2005 conference
The annual Pri-Med conference and exhibition will be held Nov. 11 to 13, at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. Partners hospitals will be featured in booth #201. For more information or to register, visit www.pri-med.com.

New hours at The Clubs at Charles River Park
The Clubs at Charles River Park now will open at 5:30 am, Monday through Friday, on a trial basis. For more information, call (617) 726-2900.

Acupuncture and massage for cancer patients
The HOPES (Helping our Patients and Families through Education and Support) program at the MGH offers acupuncture and therapeutic massage treatments for Cancer Center patients every Thursday, from 5 to 8 pm in the Yawkey Center for Outpatient Care, Suite 7B. These treatments can relieve chemotherapy side effects. A $55 fee is charged for each one-hour session. To schedule an appointment, call (617) 724-6737.

Partners phone directory update
The Telecommunications Department and the information ambassadors of the Volunteer Services Department will host an opportunity for employees to update entries in the Partners telephone directory Nov. 3, from 7 am to 4 pm outside the East Garden Dining Room entrance near the Eat Street Café. Computers will be available for volunteers to assist staff in reviewing and correcting their directory information. Forms also will be available for those who wish to update their information at a later time. For more information, send e-mail to isppdedits@partners.org.

EAP manager and supervisor training session
The MGH Employee Assistance Program (EAP) will offer a training course for managers and supervisors regarding the use of the EAP as a resource to assist with behavioral and mental health and substance abuse concerns Nov. 3, from 1 to 3 pm in the Haber Conference Room. For more information, contact (617) 726-6976.