November 12, 2015 Volume 37 Issue 20 Health Systems Employee Newsletter BMC Employee Reaches Landmark Blood Donation For Marie Evans, a Registered Nurse at Medical Center, donating life-saving blood is not just a regular event it s a passion for helping people. Marie sat in a very familiar chair on the BHS Bloodmobile on October 20th, and as Terri Passardi began the process of collecting Marie s blood, a cheer went up from a group of Laboratory staff who had gathered for the occasion. The reason? Marie was pumping out her 100th unit of donated blood. In all, she has given 12 and a half gallons of blood, which is enough to fill the bodies of ten adults. Her first pint of donated blood stretches back to 1963, when Marie followed in the footsteps of her father, who was a dedicated donor all of his life, and his daughter used to accompany him when he gave blood. This is such an easy way to give a little something back, said Marie, smiling. It doesn t alter my life at all, but it s going to help somebody and that s the great thing. Blood Donation Facts: In 2014, the BMC Blood Donor Program (bloodmobile and donor center ) collected 2,500 units of blood from County residents. Blood donated to the BMC Donor Program is used locally at BMC, Fairview Hospital, and the Cancer Center. The blood units collected are converted to two products: packed red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma. This means that one donation can be beneficial for two patients, providing life sustaining blood products. Red blood cells carry oxygen to the body s organs and tissues while plasma carries blood cells, nutrients, enzymes and hormones, and supplies critical proteins for blood clotting. Red blood cells have a shelf life of 42 days; this means our blood supply has to be constantly replenished. Fresh frozen plasma can be kept in storage for one year. You can donate a unit of blood every 56 days. In the U.S. around 14 million units of blood are transfused yearly to 5 million patients. This means 38,000 units of blood are needed daily. In the US, only 5% of the 60% of eligible people donate blood. Marie Evans, a nurse at BMC, donates her 100th unit of blood on October 20th at the BHS Bloodmobile. Marie began donating blood after accompanying her father on his regular blood donation visits many years ago, and a copy of her donor card shows how long she s been helping to save lives it dates back to 1963. Please consider giving blood the next time the BHS Bloodmobile is at BMC, or at the Blood Donor Center.
2 Fairview Holds Annual Health Fair The annual Health Fair at Fairview Hospital featured numerous interactive displays, health and wellness education, screenings and much more. Nearly 100 Fairview employees attended the Health Fair, which was held on October 5th. Lenox Family Health Hosts Open House & Health Fair The Lenox Family Health Center was bustling with visitors on October 22nd, as it presented a community open house and health fair in collaboration with several Health Systems departments. The community room at the Lenox physician practice was filled with people seeking health information and partaking in blood pressure screenings, interactive games and face-to-face discussions with physicians and other healthcare professionals. The event featured pre-diabetes screening and education, flu vaccine shots, falls prevention and balance screening, nutrition education, health and wellness resources and more. Above, right: Dr. Amanda Staples, left, a physician with Lenox Family Health, talks with a participant at the health fair about good nutrition choices. At right: Hundreds of people stopped by the community room at Lenox Family Health for the open house and health fair on October 22nd.
3 Dr. Staples Joins Lenox Family Health, Expanding Primary Care in Central Health Systems announces the appointment of Amanda M. Staples, DO, to the medical staff of Medical Center and the physician staff of Lenox Family Health Center. Dr. Staples is accepting new patients in need of primary care services and joins Drs. Heather Flynn, Mehernosh Khan and Karen Prestwood, and Nurse Practitioners Kim Bladh-Silverstein and Jennifer Nugent in providing care for patients in Central through Lenox Family Health. Dr. Staples received her medical degree from the University of New England Amanda M. Staples, DO College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Medical Center. While a resident at BMC, Dr. Staples served as Chief Medical Resident and Osteopathic Chief Resident, and she was honored with the 2014 Jordan B. Fieldman, MD Award for Medical Humanism. For an appointment with Dr. Staples, call Lenox Family Health at 413-344-1700. Miriam D. Goldfarb, MD Dr. Goldfarb Joins OB/GYN of BMC, Providing Further Expansion of Care Health Systems announces the appointment of Miriam D. Goldfarb, MD, a board certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist, to the medical staff of Medical Center and the physician staff of OB/GYN of BMC. Dr. Goldfarb is accepting new patients in need of OB/GYN care and is practicing out of the Adams and Pittsfield offices of OB/GYN of BMC. She is providing comprehensive Maternal Child Health services and her appointment further expands OB/GYN care for the Northern community. Dr. Goldfarb is practicing in the Adams office of OB/GYN of BMC with Charles O Neill, MD, Kalpesh Patel, MD, and Susan Yates, MD. The overall practice also includes Andrew Beckwith, MD, Herbert Kantor, MD, Daniel Barraez-Masroua, MD, Robert Benner, MD, Joan Lister, MD, Cassandra Service, MD, Michael Shreefter, MD, and Lauren Slater, MD, and Certified Nurse Midwives Lydia Kelly, Maribeth Pomerantz, Evelyn Resh and Robin Rivinus. OB/GYN of BMC has three offices, in Adams, Pittsfield and Lenox. Board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. Goldfarb comes to the s after practicing with Cambridge Health Alliance and Cambridge Hospital. She has previously served with Mount Auburn Hospital, Martha s Vineyard Hospital and Norwood Hospital. She received her medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine and completed her residency in OB/GYN at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. For an appointment with Dr. Goldfarb, call OB/GYN of BMC in Adams at 413-664-4343 or in Pittsfield at 413-499-8570.
4 New Voluntary Eyewear Reimbursement Plan We are pleased to offer you a new eyewear reimbursement plan through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts in partnership with EyeMed Vision Care, beginning January 1, 2016. Blue 20/20 is an eyewear reimbursement plan available to you and your family members. The plan is easy to use and offers you greater choice and convenience for all your eyewear needs. This plan is available to all eligible employees. You do not have to be a member of a Blue Cross medical plan. And if you do carry a medical plan through BHS that currently provides eyewear reimbursement, it is important to know that this reimbursement will not be available under these plans in 2016. Benefits of Blue 20/20: Amazing Savings and Choices As a Blue 20/20 member, you ll save on frames, lenses and contact lenses. You can choose from a wide selection of frames and contact lenses, so you get the brand you want, including designer eyewear from Coach, Ray-Ban, Armani, DKNY and many more. Plus, you ll receive additional in-network plan discounts such as 40% off a complete second pair of glasses after you have used your benefit. Access to one of the Nation s largest provider networks Blue 20/20 gives you access to independent providers at local and top national retailers. This combination of providers gives you the convenience to utilize the benefits when it fits into your busy schedule. Many retail locations offer extended evening and weekend hours with same-day or one-hour service options to better meet your needs. Finding a participating provider is easy. Go to the Blue 20/20 website: www.blue2020ma.com and select the Insight network. Easy to use When you see an in-network provider for your eyewear needs, simply present your Blue 20/20 ID card which will be mailed to you in late December. Your provider will apply the plan benefits and take care of the paperwork for you. Answers when you need them Accessing information on the plan is easy. The Blue 20/20 website lets you view benefits 24/7, print additional ID cards, locate providers, view claims, etc. When you need live support, member services offers extended hours including weekends and evenings 362 days per year. Don t Delay - Open enrollment is underway.
5 Soccer Teams Lend Their Support to Women s Imaging Center The Pittsfield High School Girls and Boys Soccer teams and the Pittsfield Soccer Club Leeds Under-12 Team joined forces in October to stand up against breast cancer. Following a Senior Day game for the PHS Girls team, the three teams presented a donation to Medical Center s Women s Imaging Center for $542. The generous donation goes to the Patient Care Fund, which provides financial resources to assist patients with mammography and other screenings and also supports people diagnosed with breast cancer as they undergo care and survivorship. Everyone knows someone who has dealt with some type of cancer, and we feel as a program it is very important for the girls to recognize and help out those individuals dealing with this type of illness, said PHS Girls Soccer coach Andy Waluszko. Maybe someday when they get older there will be a cure for breast cancer and they will have been part of it. The Women s Imaging Center thanks the teams for their generous donation and support. The Pittsfield High Girls and Boys Soccer teams and the Pittsfield Soccer Club collaborated to raise funds for the BMC Women s Imaging Center during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Wishing You a Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving
6 Works (413) 447-3100 Visit the Works page of the employee portal for more information and to register for any of our programs. https://www.bhswellnessworks.org GET SMART Goal Setting For The New Year New Year s resolutions are typically made and broken in a few days or weeks. Success is better achieved by setting small, attainable goals throughout the year. Learn about the SMART system of goal setting to help you achieve your goals in 2016. A great compliment to this presentation is the Personal Goal Setting workshop that you will find on the wellness website. Earn 20 points for completing the workshop and 10 points for attending our presentation! Date Time Location Presenter Thursday December 3, 2015 Thursday December 10, 2015 Tuesday December 8, 2015 Monday December 14, 2015 Monday December 28, 2015 Noon 1:00 PM 11:30 am and 12:15 pm North Adams Campus of BMC Small Dining Room Hillcrest Campus of BMC Library Fairview Ground Floor Conference Room Central Block Large Conference Room Clocktower 5 th Floor Conference Room BMC PDR-D Susan Gagnon, LICSW Mark Kenyon, LMFT, LADC-1, CEAP New Library at BMC! at Work wants you to enjoy the holidays while staying in control. Goal: Try to keep your weight stable within 1-2 pounds between Thanksgiving and the New Year. Come to one of the initial weigh-ins before Thanksgiving and sign up for the Maintain Don t Gain Workshop on the Works website. Attend a final weigh-in after New Years to be entered into a drawing for a $50 Dick s Sporting Goods card! Friday, November 20 Monday, November 23 Tuesday, November 24 Initial weigh-in Times & Locations 7:30 am - 4 :00 pm BMC Office 7:30 am - 9:30 am Hillcrest Campus of BMC 7:30 am - 4 :00 pm BMC Office 11:00 am - 1:00 pm BMC PDR C Wednesday, November 25 7:30 am - 4 :00 pm BMC Office Stop by and check out the new Library at BMC. A variety of books and DVDs are available, covering several topics, including nutrition, exercise, mindfulness and life balance. All selections are recommended by our team and are available to borrow. Other campuses can request a list of selections and we will deliver items via interoffice mail. CHECK IT OUT!
ial for Spring? year-round retreat 7 at home. Home Equity Let Federal Credit Union help you with the financing!loans Save fuel, Special Are ready Go greensave money! * Newyou Driveway and create a * Replacement Sidingyear-round and/or Windows retreat for Spring? BHS Opportunities * Pools Decks Job Porches Kitchen Sunrooms Landscaping at home. Remodeling of the or Bath r/d Let Federal Credit Union Toyou view job descriptions and/or Save fuel, help with the financing! Rates Starting at D/E 7 and more! apply for a APR Save money! Center, position at Medical * New Driveway 7.75 %*APR * Replacement Siding and/or Windows Fairview Hospital oror BVNA & Hospice, * Pools Decks Porches Sunrooms Landscaping for 10 years Remodeling of the Kitchen Bath and more! please visit ENTER TO WIN A our website at: Rates Starting at r ostreet, $150 GIFT CARD C o700 m enorth G WPittsfield, i t h U sma! www.berkshirehealthsystems.org w447-7772 (413) 7.75%*APR *Rates subject tofor change. 80%click LTV. Max. loanemployment. amt. $150,000. No pre-payment penalty. 10 years and on Property insurance required. No appraisal fees. $175 recording fee. MA residents only. Fall Special APR. ENTER TO WIN A 700 North Street, Pittsfield, MA $150 GIFT CARD Come Grow With Us! (413) 447-7772 You could win a Visa, Organics or Dick s Sporting Goods Gift Card Temp. *Rates subject to change. 80% LTV. Max. loan amt. $150,000. No pre-payment penalty. Property insurance required. No appraisal fees. $175 recording fee. MA residents only. Please direct any comments, questions or suggestions for to Development and Community Relationsforat 447-2060. Please direct any comments, questions or suggestions D/E /N I, 8 Hr/D D/E Hr/D /N /N to Development and Community Relations at 447-2060. Editor: Ruth Blodgett Editor: Ruth Blodgett Writers: Mike Leary, Elzbieta Lauren Smith Ala Trzepacz Lauren Smith Writers: Mike Leary, Elzbieta Ala Trzepacz Layout and Printing: Deirdre McKenna, Materials Management Management Layout and Printing: Deirdre McKenna, Materials Layout and and Printing: Deirdre McKenna, Materials Management Management Layout Printing: Deirdre McKenna, Materials Just Complete the following Savings and loan specials appear every day! by December 31, 2015 1. On-line Health Assessment 1450 East Street 2. Coaching Appointment Pittsfield, MA 01201 Fall Special (413) 447-7772 Your name will be entered www.berkshirefcu.com into a special drawing. isisprinted on on 30%paper post-consumer recycled paper. withpost-consumer post-consumer recycled printed is printed on 30% recycledcontent. paper. You could win Organics a gift card! 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On-line Health Assessment September 28 16 Hr/D Just Complete the following Transport, Transport Aide, 24 Hr/E BVNA or Dick s Sporting Goods Gift Card atpostings Wahconah 2. Coaching Appointment by December 31, 2015 the following Just Complete Health Systems Food Dietary Aide, Non-Scheduled Submit your design by Sunday, Park. 9 a.m. LTC, Referral 40 Hr/D 413-447-3100 Call or email31, wellnessworks2@bhs1.org 1. On-line Health Assessment Stroke Unit,Specialist, Unit 10 Secretary, 16 Hr/D by December 2015 December 1, be 2015 registration, Your name will entered LTC,September Referral Specialist, 4028 Hr/D 2. Coaching Appointment a.m. walk. Anyone interested in parbvna Postings winner to receive a BHSat Postings All Visits since 10/01/2015 are eligible Wahconah 1. On-line Health Assessment into a special drawing. name willcard be entered *Gi values are as follows ticipating, call Carol Nixon, ext.your 9350. Visiting Nurse Association Health Systems for the drawing. $100 Visawin Gift Card Coaching Appointment into2. a special drawing. Park. 9Specialist, a.m. You could a gift card! Home Health Aide, Non-Scheduled All walkers Earn 1040 LTC, Referral Hr/D points. You could win a gift card! Calling all Artistic & Creative BHS Staff registration, 10 Visa: $100 LTC, Referral Specialist, 40 Hr/D Your name will be entered For Fairview Hospital positions, contactearn Bertha Holcomb at drawing when 2 entries into the Earn 2 entries into the drawing when a.m. walk. Anyone interested in intopara1special drawing. Dick s Spor ng Goods: $50 Help design a logo for BHS your spouse & 2! (413)Postings 528-0790. For all other positions, please call thecompletes We are looking for something encompasses: spouse completes 1 & 2! You could Spouse? Lucky You!) win a gift card! ticipating, callemployment Carol Nixon, ext. 9350. at Work yourthat Visiting Nurse Association Health Systems Office (No at 447-2784. Organics: $50 Body, Mind & Spirit Moving in the right direction (No Spouse? Lucky You!) Home Aide, Non-Scheduled AllHealth walkers Earn 10 Earnpoints. 2 entries into the drawing when AmericanFall Heart Special Fall Special Association Annual Heart Walk Drawing: January 5, 2016 your spouse completes 1 &5, 2! 2016 Call 413-447-3100 or email wellnessworks2@bhs1.org Drawing: January Call 413-447-3100 or contact emailbertha wellnessworks2@bhs1.org For Fairview Hospital positions, at You!) Email your design to Carol Nixon at cnixon@bhs1.org (NoHolcomb Spouse? Lucky *Gi card values are as follows Alleligible par cipants submit a design will earn 20 Points. coaching appointments since 10/01/2015 are for who the drawing. (413) 528-0790. For allallother positions, please call the Staff Calling all Artistic 413-447-3100 or design email wellnessworks2@bhs1.org Submit your by Visa: $100 & Creative BHS Call Health Systems Employment at 447-2784. 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8 Thanks and Recognition Everyone was very kind and caring, from the doctors to the housekeeping staff, in taking care of me and my medical condition. Comment from a BMC 5 South patient The technicians and all the staff were excellent. They knew I was nervous and everyone helped me by answering all my questions and taking very good care of me. Comment from a BMC Cardiology Services patient I have been dealing with Fairview for years and have always found my treatment great. Comment from a Fairview Hospital Laboratory Services patient It was a great experience; very professional and comforting. All staff went above and beyond what I expected. Thanks to everyone involved in my surgery. Comment from a Crane Center for Ambulatory Surgery patient Very comfortable, relaxed, friendly people and atmosphere. Everyone treated my family very well. This was a hip replacement. I also had one earlier and that experience was just as great. Comment from a BMC Orthopedic Unit patient The staff worked well with all my needs. They did this with respect, humor and care. My experience was fantastic. Comment from a BMC Cardiac Rehabilitation patient My husband and I prefer going to Fairview any time we need tests of any kind done. It is an excellent facility. Comment from a Radiation Oncology patient As a visitor from (a southern state) experiencing an emergency due to infection and kidney stone, I couldn't have been more pleased with my care. You should give lessons to other medical facilities. Comment from a BMC patient Chaplain s Corner: More Thoughts from the Book of Wisdom By The Reverend Art Kaufman, BMC Chaplain Believe in miracles but don t rely on them. Life s problems wouldn t be called hurdles if there was no way to get over them. Don t wish you could go back and make a new start. Start from where you are and make a new ending. Love may mean nothing in tennis, but it means everything in life. And especially relevant to the season ahead, No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow. In Memoriam Wynn A. Sayman, MD, a former Chief of Surgery at Medical Center, died on October 12th at the age of 89. He practiced general surgery from 1965 to his retirement in 1980. Robert G. Fletcher, MD, a Chief of Pathology at Fairview Hospital and the former St. Luke s Hospital, now Medical Center, died on October 19th at the age of 89. Mabel L. Hermon, a switchboard operator and employee of the Admissions Department at the former North Adams Regional Hospital, now the North Adams Campus of BMC, died on October 25th at the age of 90. Patricia A. Langlois, a former Registered Nurse in the Critical Care Unit at BMC, died on November 5th at the age of 74. A. Barbara Duval, a switchboard operator at the former North Adams Regional Hospital, now the North Adams Campus of BMC, died on November 7th at the age of 88. The staff of Health Systems offers its deepest condolences to their friends and family.