A publication for the Anna Jaques community | August 2021 | E-Newsletter 11 (Issue 151)
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Featured photo: More than 75 employees and physicians, including BILH colleagues, ran on behalf of Team AJH in the Newburyport Lions Club Annual Yankee Homecoming 5K on August 3.
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Stephen F. Salvo Shining Star: Nicole Corcoran, RN
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Join us in congratulating Nicole Corcoran, RN, Charge Nurse of the Ambulatory Procedure Room, as the Stephen F. Salvo Shining Star for August.
Nicole was nominated by a colleague who shared that she, “brings her best self to work every day and her positivity is contagious. She is able to control the many moving parts of this busy unit while simultaneously making each staff member feel respected and heard. She is the quintessential team player and a dedicated, caring nurse.”
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Mox Box: Questions & Answers
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Q: Concerning the vaccination mandate: Is BILH going to require visitors to show proof of vaccination?
A: We do not require visitors to be vaccinated at this time. As always, should our policy change in the future, you will be notified via an announcement through Incident Command.
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Q: Can Maintenance or HVAC address the cool temperature in the ICU? Patients are cold and there is no way to regulate the temperature in the rooms. The core of the ICU is also quite chilly.
A: Individual rooms in the ICU do have thermostat control, but the issue is that the ICU temperature is mechanically connected to the Newburyport Five Cents Saving Inpatient Unit through the HVAC system. Because the Newburyport Five unit is a much larger unit than the ICU, when the Newburyport Five heats up the air temperature has to be decreased which impacts the air to the ICU. The Facilities team is working to see how this can be addressed.
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BILH COVID-19 Update:
What Your Need to Know about COVID-19 & Flu Vaccination
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As a health care organization, we have a profound responsibility to do everything we can to protect our patients, our colleagues and our communities. BILH is an organization grounded in science and data, which show that vaccination is safe and highly effective at preventing severe illness from COVID-19 and flu. With this compelling data and responsibility, BILH is moving forward with our intent to require all staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and flu by Oct. 31.
Get Vaccinated by Oct. 31
Flu Vaccine
- Employee Health will be conducting onsite flu vaccine clinics early this fall. Look for schedules in the coming weeks.
- You can also get your flu vaccine at your doctor's office or in the community.
- If you get vaccinated outside of a BILH facility, submit your documentation to your local Employee Health department.
COVID-19 Vaccine
If you have not yet been vaccinated for COVID-19, or if you haven’t yet received a second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines:
- Contact your Employee Health department to get your COVID-19 vaccine onsite.
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Find a free clinic in your community at mass.gov/ covid-19-vaccine.
- If you get vaccinated outside of a BILH facility, submit your documentation to your local Employee Health department.
The last day to get your first dose of COVID-19 vaccine in order to meet requirements:
- Oct. 3: Moderna (2 shots, 4 weeks apart)
- Oct. 10: Pfizer (2 shots, 3 weeks apart)
- Oct. 31: Johnson & Johnson (1 shot)
Booster Shot
More information about booster shot requirements for BILH clinicians and staff will be shared once federal agencies and state departments of health issue formal authorization for health care workers to receive additional COVID-19 booster doses.
Exemption Applications
Exemptions will be made on a case-by-case basis for medical and religious reasons through an application process. If there is no vaccination information on file for an individual, Employee Health will contact that individual by email to complete their vaccination information and share options to apply for an exemption. The exemption application will be posted in the coming weeks on AnnaOnline. Applications for exemptions are due Oct. 1.
Questions & Information
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North of Boston Cancer Resource to Host
"Ask the Nurses: Wisdom & Answer from the Experts" on August 31
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North of Boston Cancer Resource (NBCR) will host a Zoom gathering called, "Ask the Nurses: Wisdom and Answers from the Experts," which will feature AJH nurses, Mary Stacey and Di Erwin, and be moderated by Dr. Colleen Yavarow, Medical Oncologist and Hematologist, all of the Anna Jaques Cancer Center.
Hear from what two experienced nurses from the Anna Jaques Cancer Center have learned in their many years of caring for those affected by cancer. Attendees are invited to bring questions and share experiences.
All attendees will be eligible to receive a gift certificate for services such as oncology massage, acupuncture, guided imagery, reiki, health coaching and more, courtesy of NBCR.
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Employee Retirement: Sue Hersey, Unit Coordinator, ICU
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After 14 years at Amesbury Hospital and 27 years at Anna Jaques Hospital, Sue Hersey, Unit Coordinator of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), will be retiring just after her 80th birthday.
Sue, also known by many as “Mama Sue” or “Secretary Sue,” has been the glue that keeps the ICU together. Her knowledge of her job and the functioning of the ICU is unmatched.
Many also know Sue is an expert bargain hunter. She will clip coupons and search out sales like no one. If there is a bargain, Sue will find it. She has been known to say “if it’s free, it’s for me.” Sue does not mention in her bargain hunting that many bargain items she finds are donated to local schools, shelters and non-profit organizations.
On behalf of the AJH community, we thank Sue for her dedication to the hospital and wish her well in retirement.
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Pictured (L to R): Mark Goldstein, President, Dr. Alla Tibbetts, Julie Cifrino, RN, Sue Hersey, Peter Tura, Director of Emergency Services & ICU, and
Chris Karampatsos, RN.
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As printed in the Newburyport Daily News, August 12
To the Editor:
Recently, unexpectedly, I was admitted to Anna Jaques Hospital for a few days. I feel it is important to extend my thanks to all who made my visit, a pleasant one.
Dr. Naseer, day nurses Bridget and Katie, my night nurses, P.A. Jenn, several CNAs, too many to recall their names. Dr. Bentley and his crew, Emily, Molly and Joe. The MRI and ultrasound folks were all very pleasant and professional.
In regard to the many lab technicians, I was lucky enough to have the pleasure of experiencing their expertise. They were always very nice.
I found the menu choices excellent and the food arrived within one minute of my requested time, hot and very tasteful. Thank you all.
-Sharon Plummer, West Newbury
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On August 4, AJH Transport Volunteer George Burtch, (pictured far right) along with three other community members, were recognized for their volunteer impact at Yankee Homecoming’s Generations of Giving event.
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Members of the Emergency Department represented AJH in the annual Newburyport Lions Club Bed Race during Yankee Homecoming on August 5.
Pictured (L to R): Alyssa Mahoney, RN, Megan Berry, RN, Brendan O’Flaherty, RN, Erin Russo, RN, Kate Bartol, RN, Molly Statezni, RN, Mary Pettigrew, RN, and Cailin O’Flaherty, RN. A special thank you to Erin Russo for coordinating the team.
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Retired AJH employee, Dale Grygutis, RT, donated an original piece of her artwork to the Newburyport Five Cents Savings Inpatient Unit. Pictured is Dale's daughter, Beth Grygutis, RN, who works on the unit.
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In recognition of August’s World Breastfeeding Week, grateful patient Tricia Gatchella shared: “Breastfeeding is an amazingly wonderful journey to experience and I’m thankful to have had the support of the Anna Jaques lactation nurses along the way.”
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Cheryl Pagliarulo, Unit Coordinator, Newburyport Five Cents Savings Inpatient Unit, was the winner of BILH’s Red Sox Employee Appreciation Raffle and enjoyed a game this July.
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Stepping Forward Project Update: Walls are up! The exterior framing and yellow sheathing is going up quickly. This is the first layer of the exterior walls on the new addition. Concrete was poured on the floor in the corridor that connects the addition to the Main Lobby and the roof installation of the addition has begun. Click here to read the latest Stepping Forward Construction Corner Update.
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Anna Jaques Hospital
www.ajh.org
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