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MGHHOTLINEA PUBLICATION FOR EMPLOYEES AND STAFF OF THE MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL0

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Celebrating Medical Interpreter Recognition WeekThe firsT record of a request for a medical interpreter at the MGH was documented by Volunteer Services in the late 1970s. Today, Medical Interpreter Services, which provides interpreters for limited English proficient and deaf and hard-of-hearing patients and their families, interprets in more than 83,000 encounters annually. The department provides services by phone, in person and by video 24/7, 365 days a year, in more than 200 languages.

In celebration of Medical Interpreter Recognition Week – from Sept. 30 through Oct. 4 – Anabela Nunes, director of MGH Interpreter Services, discusses the important role the department plays within the hospital.

Q: What is new in the Interpreter Services Department?A: We are proactively and aggressively encouraging our interpreters to become nationally certified by the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters. Currently 18 interpreters are certified and seven are on their way to full certification. We also recently transitioned to a new telephonic interpreting vendor. This was part of the plan to continue leveraging technology to make our service more accessible to patients, their families and providers.

Q: In which languages are staff interpreters available?A: There are 37 MIS staff members who interpret in 10 different languages. In order of volume, the languages are Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Cantonese, Mandarin, Russian, American Sign Language, Haitian Creole, Khmer and French.

Q: What are current challenges for the department?A: One challenge is education. We need to educate patients that they have a right to this service, that it’s the law and that it is available anytime. Another challenge is raising staff awareness. We need everyone to know that working with an interpreter is a more efficient way to provide safe care of the highest quality. Relying on a patient who comes in with an English-speaking family member is not good enough because untrained interpreters may omit or edit information they feel may be unnecessary or unimportant.

Q: What if a clinician speaks the patient’s language?A: Interpreters are trained in medical terminology in both languages. Staff members who are not trained should not be (Continued on page 3)

The AppAlAchiAn MounTAin club (AMc) and MassGeneral Hospital for Children (MGHfC) have teamed up to launch Outdoors Rx, an innovative program that gives health care professionals dedicated resources for prescribing regular outdoor physical activity to children. This collaboration combines AMC’s expertise in getting families active with the medical expertise of MGHfC to combat the sedentary lifestyles of overstressed and overscheduled families, which can lead to childhood obesity, Type 1 diabetes and asthma.

“In addition to the widely known benefits of physical activity, research studies have found that exposure to natural environments also improves physical and emotional health,” says Christina Scirica, MD, MPH, an MGHfC pulmonologist and weight expert who serves as the Outdoors Rx medical director. “Exposure to the outdoors has been found to reduce the risk of high blood pressure, vitamin D deficiency, depression and anxiety, and may even improve attention.”

AMC and MGHfC have trained more than 60 medical professionals in the program’s pilot communities of Framingham and Waltham. In addition to primary care pediatric and family practitioners, AMC and MGHfC will work with nurse practitioners, dieticians and nutritionists to write prescriptions. The goal is to have 5,000 outdoor prescriptions written in the first 12 months (Continued on page 4)

Prescribing nature and outdoor activity

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wooded walk: A father and daughter enjoy an AMC-sponsored event.

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Lasting contributions to the Latino community“noThing is free. You have to work hard to get what you want,” said Yesenia González, medical assistant team lead in the Dermatology Department. “The best opportunity I’ve had in my life is to work for MGH; I cannot begin to explain how the people at MGH have impacted my life. They are my family.”

Yesenia González shared the spotlight with Katia Canenguez, clinical fellow in psychology in the Department of Psychiatry, as recipients of the 2013 Ernesto González Award for Outstanding Service to the Latino Community. The award is named for longtime MGH dermatologist Ernesto González, MD, who presented plaques to the winners during a Sept. 18 ceremony in the Thier Conference Room. “Congratulations to the two award recipients and all the others who were nominated,” he said. “Let’s work together to make the MGH very proud that we have a Hispanic community that represents all the things the MGH stands for.”

The Committee for Latino Initiatives and MGH Human Resources sponsored the annual event, held in connection with Latino Heritage Month. González and Canenguez were honored for providing support to underserved and homeless populations both locally and internationally.

“It is evident to me, by improving the quality of life of one family member, you are improving the quality of life of an entire family system,” said Canenguez. “I want to give back to the Latino community. I could not be where I am without the support of my mentors. I share this award with them.”

GuIded BY GIVING: from left, Canenguez, ernesto González and yesenia González

My Giving Helps ends on a high noteciTy yeAr bosTon. The MGH Ambulatory Practice of the Future. Boys and Girls Clubs. The MGH Center for Global Health. Samaritans, Inc. The MGH Institute for Heart, Vascular and Stroke Care. Catholic Charities.

Employees showed their support for these programs and others funded by the MGH Fund and United Way by participating in Blue and Orange Week from Sept. 16 through Sept. 20. Getting creative with the annual tradition, MGHers sported scrubs, jewelry, nail polish and sneakers in the campaign colors.

“All of these activities and events were ways to show our gratitude to our employee donors,” says Keith Lillemoe, MD, lead co-chair of My Giving Helps, surgeon-in-chief and chief of the Department of Surgery. “They are the heart and soul of this hospital – and this campaign.”

As a perk, employees who were seen by campaign champions wearing blue and orange were eligible to receive prizes including movie tickets and overnight hotel stays. Nicholas Depauw, of Radiation Oncology, received a jersey autographed by Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork in the raffle drawing for all MGHers who liked the My Giving Helps page on Facebook.

“We look forward to announcing the total raised for the MGH Fund and United Way in mid-October,” says Ann Prestipino, MPH, lead co-chair of the campaign and senior vice president for Surgical and Anesthesia Services and Clinical Business Development. “But taking into account the donations raised so far, the awareness we’ve spread and the fun we’ve had, we already consider this year’s effort a success.”

For more information about the campaign, which ended Sept. 27, visit www.mygivinghelps.org. n

GIVING sPIRIT: Members of the MGh Broadway Primary Care office in revere

General Store opens at MGH North Shore The generAl sTore AT norTh shore celebrated its opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception on Sept. 23. The store is the eighth shop/salon within the MGH operated by the MGH Ladies Visiting Committee (LVC), a group dedicated to enhancing the MGH experience in any way that contributes to the comfort and well-being of patients, their families and the hospital community.

“The MGH General Store at North Shore is a wonderful addition to the Center for Outpatient Care,” says Elena Sierra, executive administrative director of MGH North Shore. “Our patients, families and staff are happy to have an opportunity to shop with us.”

The General Store at North Shore, open weekdays from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, features cards, gifts, accessories, snacks and toys. Proceeds from all LVC retail shops benefit the hospital.

“We are so pleased to have the opportunity to bring the General Store to the MGH North Shore,” says Joanne Ellison, administrative director of the General Store. “It is essential that we are able to provide our services to all MGH patients, visitors and employees. I want to thank Elena for giving the LVC Retail Shops this opportunity and the Ladies Visiting Committee for all their support and confidence in this vision.” n

oPeN FoR BusINess: from left, Andrea sahin, of the LVC, ellison and sierra

MGHHOTLINECelebrating women in medicine“MAny woMen sTruggle with self-doubt nearly all their lives,” said Luanne Thorndyke, MD, FACP, vice provost for Faculty Affairs at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. “The struggle to prove ourselves begins in childhood. Does that struggle limit our ambition? Does that struggle ever stop?”

Thorndyke presented a lecture, “The View From Above the Glass Ceiling,” to a crowd of nearly 50 MGH attendees during the Sept. 18 Women in Medicine Annual Celebration, hosted by the MGH Office for Women’s Careers. The term “glass ceiling” was first coined in 1984, Thorndyke said, yet almost 30 years later, many women still struggle in their career climb. Drawing on her experiences, Thorndyke discussed some of the issues women leaders face.

“It is very lonely at the top, but success is very rewarding and it’s worth the sacrifice – especially if you’ve found fun along the way,” said Thorndyke. “If you are a physician or scientist at one of the most respected institutions in the world, you are one of the elite, so celebrate your successes and achievements.”

Thorndyke’s topic prompted a discussion among attendees. “Academic promotion is challenging,” said Quynh Truong, MD, MPH, in the Division of Cardiology. “It’s a struggle to balance a family life while making our career a priority.”

Added Sylvia Breton, PhD, of the Division of Nephrology, “Women in general struggle more than men because we are willing to slow down our careers for family. You can get there but it takes longer.”

Anne Klibanski, MD, director of the Center for Faculty Development, noted that it has been a particularly remarkable year for women at the MGH – five women were promoted to full professor, 11 to associate professor and 37 to assistant professor. n

INVIsIBle BaRRIeRs: thorndyke presents at the Women in Medicine Annual Celebration.

Paying it forwardfor More ThAn A decAde The Association of Multicultural Members of Partners (AMMP) has assisted employees of multicultural backgrounds in their efforts to pursue college degrees and other educational opportunities. On Sept. 5, the 2013 AMMP Scholarship recipients were honored during a ceremony in the East Garden Room. This year’s recipients are Karima Ricketts, Sandra Thomas, Jennifer Nunes, Abdul Musanur, Tirza Martinez and Khristel Cherismo.

“You have chosen to continue your education, which gives you the ability to change your future,” said Dee Dee Chen, professional staff benefits manager and AMMP executive board chair. “Thank you for the contributions and support you have already made to this hospital, and I know we all look forward to what each of you will share with us and the world as you continue to unlock new doors in the future.”

Farhiya Mohamoud – a two-time scholarship winner who works as a senior histology specialist in the Department of Pathology – earned her MBA from Regis College last spring and is now paying it forward. “I am already giving back to AMMP as the nomination co-chair and to MGH as a supporter of the My Giving Helps campaign, and I am looking into other ways to help further the missions of both MGH and AMMP,” she said.

For more information about AMMP, visit www2.massgeneral.org/ammp.

a loVe oF leaRNING: Musanur, left, receives his award from Waveney Cole, chair of the AMMP scholarship committee

— Interpreters(Continued from page 1)

using their own limited language skills to communicate with patients about their health care. We have many physicians who went to medical school in their home countries and are trained in the medical terminology in both languages. Those individuals are perfectly capable of communicating with their patients. However, for staff who may have taken two years of Spanish in college – although it is a great and a nice way to make patients feel comfortable – they need to contact an interpreter when they talk about health care.

Q: Do patients request Interpreter Services?A: Patients do not usually find themselves in a position to advocate for their needs. They are vulnerable and can feel helpless when they come to the hospital and can’t communicate in an effective way. If you are with a patient who seems to have difficulty communicating, isn’t engaged in the conversation or just smiling and nodding without any apparent understanding, call Medical Interpreter Services to be connected with an interpreter.

For more information about Medical Interpreter Services, call 617-726-6966 or visit the website at www2.massgeneral.org/interpreters.

eDItorColleen Marshall

617-726-0275

ASSIStAnt eDItorEmily Williams617-724-2753

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— Prescribing the outdoors(Continued from page 1)

of the program. Following the pilot year, AMC hopes to expand the program to other communities with additional health care providers.

With a prescription, parents in the pilot communities can register at AMC’s Outdoors Rx website, where they will find a calendar of free, AMC-guided local outdoor programs and information blogs. As extra encouragement to stay active, kids can track their activity and earn points toward outdoor gear rewards, including water bottles and a free stay at AMC’s Ponkapoag Camp in Randolph, Mass. A variety of methods will be used to track the level of each child’s activity before and after the program, including surveys and focus groups. n

Disability Champion Award nominations duein recogniTion of sTAff who exhibit exemplary commitment to advocacy and accessibility for persons with disabilities, the MGH Employees with Disabilities Resource Group will award its first MGH Disability Champion Award this fall.

MGH and MGPO employees, along with Partners HealthCare employees who directly support the MGH, are eligible to nominate or be nominated for this award. Employees must have completed a minimum of one year of continuous service and be full- or part-time employees in good standing according to Human Resources policies. Self-nominations will not be accepted, and individuals in jobs that focus on disability advocacy and accessibility are not eligible.

The deadline to submit a nomination is Sept. 30. The winner of the MGH Disability Champion Award will be honored at a ceremony on Oct. 29 and receive a plaque and a $1,000 award.

Nominees must meet at least one of the following selection criteria:

• Exhibit extraordinary commitment to disability issues and people with disabilities, beyond the duties and responsibilities associated with the employee’s job at the MGH.

• Enhance the patient and work experience of MGH patients and staff with disabilities, as well as their families and visitors.

• Establish and promote relationships within the MGH or external agencies to strengthen the hospital’s commitment to persons with disabilities.

To nominate a colleague, visit http://sharepoint.partners.org/mgh/hrevents/DisabilityChampionAward/ default.aspx

TICklING THe IVoRIes: the MGh is one of 75 locations throughout Boston to participate in the “Play Me, i’m yours” street piano event, hosted by Celebrity series. from now through oct. 14, the MGh piano will be available for play between 10 am and 4 pm in the yawkey Courtyard adjacent to the Liberty hotel. the pianos have previously been installed in cities across the globe – from new york to sydney, Australia. Located in public spaces, they are available for any member of the public to play and enjoy. here, Bill Banchiere, director of environmental services, takes a walk on the keys shortly after it was delivered to the main campus on sept. 25. for more information, visit www.streetpianos.com.

You CaN’T do THaT ... : Christopher Montawo, 5, and robin Cartagena Jr., 6, pour homemade slime on Caroline Armington, child life specialist at the MassGeneral hospital for Children, during “slime Day.” the sept. 19 event was hosted by the hole in the Wall Gang Camp, an organization dedicated to providing seriously ill children and their families with a “different kind of healing.” slime Day was part of a series of events celebrating national Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.