A publication for the Anna Jaques community | May 2021 | E-Newsletter 8 (Issue 148) |
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Featured collage: 2021 Employee Service Awards recognized 114 employees in departments and practices throughout AJH
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Stephen F. Salvo Shining Star - Stacey Forgione, Registration |
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Mark Goldstein, President, Stacey Forgione &
Darlene Lavin, Registration Manager
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Congratulations to Stacey Forgione of Registration who was named the Stephen F. Salvo Shining Star for May.
Stacey was nominated for the excellent leadership she brings to her team and how well she relates to and works with her colleagues. Thank you for all you do, Stacey!
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MOX BOX - Questions & Answers |
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Q: Can we get new shades for the doors in the ICU? They are broken, some of them don’t go up or down, and some doors are missing them. A couple of weeks ago we had pillowcases taped in the windows to give a patient privacy.
A: Purchasing will be ordering new room-darkening shades for each room in the ICU.
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BILH Now Vaccinating People 12 & Older
BILH is now offering the COVID-19 vaccine to children ages 12 and older at its vaccine clinics in Burlington, Beverly and Cambridge. Each of these sites are administering Pfizer.
BILH employees, physicians and members of the general public are strongly encouraged to receive the vaccine at any of our vaccination clinics. You can walk-in to any of the locations listed on the BILH vaccine clinic webpage. Schedules are subject to change; please check back frequently for updates.
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Updated Staff Travel Policy
The BILH Staff Travel Policy has been updated to reflect recent state guidance changes. The policy outlines the testing and quarantine steps an employee must take following domestic and international travel. It follows the guidance of the Massachusetts COVID-19 Travel Advisory and is subject to change as new guidance is issued.
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Recognizing AJH Employees During Nurses & Hospital Week |
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Annual Lois Anderson, RN, Scholarship Awards |
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Every year during Nurses & Hospital Week, the Anna Jaques Medical Staff, Lower Merrimack Valley Physician Hospital Organization/Whittier IPA, Robert Coffyn Clark Scholarship, and the Oliver J. & Edith H. Audet Scholarship proudly recognizes employees currently enrolled in continuing education programs with scholarships. In 2017, AJH renamed the annual ceremony the Lois Anderson, RN, Scholarship Awards to honor Lois’ legacy of caring and her passion for education.
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While we could not gather in person this year, AJH recognized scholarship recipients during two socially-distant presentations. Recipients are in different stages of their career and working towards their higher education. Join us in congratulating:
- Nichole Bryson, PCA, CNA
- Cortney Casassa, PCA
- Amy Chaisson, RN, BSN
- Jen Gauvin, RN, BSN
- Stephanie Harrison, PCA
- Melissa Jones, RN
- Alex Marchegiani, Peri-Op
- Kelly McKora, LADC II
- Meghan Mundy, PCA
- Cailin O’Flaherty, RN, BSN
- Natalie Portela, Lab Manager
- Kelley Sullivan, Community Relations Manager
- Sarah Wachowiak, RN
- Elham Yousefi, Echo Tech
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2021 Boston Globe's Salute to Nurses Recognizes Three AJH Nurses |
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Every year, the Boston Globe invites the community to nominate a nurse to be included in its annual Salute to Nurses special issue. More than 800 nurses were nominated in 2021 – the most in its history. As the Boston Globe published, “Each story shows how, even in difficult times and in ways big and small, these everyday heroes rise to the occasion.”
Three AJH nurses were included in this year’s special – and all nominated by their colleagues:
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Deb Burke, RN, Director, Newburyport Five Cents Savings Inpatient Unit - Nominated by Marcie Dow, Switchboard
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Barbara Green, RN, Emergency Department - Nominated by Erin Russo, RN, Emergency Department
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Michelle Petryk, RN, Cancer Center - Nominated by Bethany Hurrell, RN, Cancer Center
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Special Videos Honoring AJH Healthcare Heroes |
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BILH's "Stronger Together: Video Reflections from COVID-19" series included a feature on AJH's Terry Sargent, RN, & patient John Sullivan. |
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Masconomet Regional High School's National Honor Society thanks Anna Jaques with a special tribute video. |
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47th Annual Employee Service Awards |
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Access Honorees (L to R):
Susan Wall (40 years), Mark Goldstein, Barbara Fredette (40 years), and Sabrina Callahan (5 years).
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Cancer Center (L to R):
Shannon Caauwe, Director, Betty Howland (45 years)
and Chris Asselin (5 years).
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Anna Jaques celebrated the 47th Annual Employee Service Awards throughout the month of May and paid tribute to 114 employees who have dedicated 5 to 45 years of service at the hospital. While the traditional in-person gathering was paused, Human Resources coordinated 26 visits across departments and practices throughout the hospital to recognize these important milestones.
Five employees celebrated 40 years of service:
- Sharon Morris, Emergency Department
- Susan McDonald, Radiology
- Barbara Fredette, Access
- Susan Wall, Access
Two employees celebrated the incredible milestone of 45 years of service to AJH:
- Susan Baumann, Laboratory
- Betty Howland, Anna Jaques Cancer Center
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Sandra Levin, Chief Quality Officer, Joins AJH Senior Management Team |
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Sandra Levin, Chief Quality Officer, joined the Senior Management Team (SMT) this May. Sandra’s addition to SMT reflects AJH’s unwavering commitment to quality and commitment to becoming a High Reliability Organization.
As Chief Quality Officer, Sandra works closely with the Board Quality Committee, which oversees organizational processes, policies, outcomes, and external reporting. She leads a team dedicated to keeping the hospital safe through compliance with infection control and public health measures. Notably, Sandra’s vital role on Incident Command throughout the pandemic led to the hospital’s successful development and implementation of COVID-19 policies.
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Sandra’s proven leadership, expertise, and unique perspective will bring tremendous value to SMT as we implement key initiatives to further enhance the quality and safety of the care we provide to our community. |
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May is Mental Health Awareness Month |
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The pandemic has had a profound impact on the mental health of people of all ages, and taking care of your mental health is vital to your overall well-being.
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Thank You For Supporting Great Chefs' Night Reimagined
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The Ross Family enjoys dinner at Michael's Harborside (L to R): Nancy Ross, Patient Accounts, Amanda Ross, Foundation, Ali Kershek & Amy Carroll.
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Thank you to all sponsors, participants, auction winners, and participating restaurants for making the 2021 Great Chefs’ Reimagined a huge success! The event raised over $50,000 to support Anna Jaques Hospital. Over 600 vouchers were sold, with 150 donated to AJH frontline workers.
Congratulations to Megan Keane for winning the $5,000 vacation for two. The winning ticket was pulled on April 30th by Michael Janko of BNY Mellon, sponsor of the trip raffle. Thank you to everyone who purchased a raffle ticket.
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Run the Boston Marathon for Team BILH |
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Do you—or does someone you know—want to run the 2021 Boston Marathon®? We at Anna Jaques Hospital are thrilled to announce that Beth Israel Lahey Health (BILH) will be running this year’s Boston Marathon as a system. We welcome all members of the community to join Team BILH and support Anna Jaques Hospital as we hit the pavement on October 11, 2021. A full listing of the BILH hospitals you can choose to run for can be found on our application.
The fundraising minimum for each charity runner is $7,500, in addition to the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) entry fee of $395. Runners who have qualified for the Boston Marathon and have received an entry from the B.A.A. are also encouraged to apply, with a reduced fundraising minimum of $2,000. For those who run on behalf of Anna Jaques, all fundraising proceeds will go to support the Stepping Forward Campaign to expand surgical services.
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Celebrating Employee Retirements |
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Ann Clifford, NP, retires after 15 years at North Shore Internal Medicine.
Dr. Saira Naseer Ghiasuddin shared, “I want to congratulate and thank you for all you've done and contributed to patients during the course of your wonderful career. I remember when you first joined our practice, and since then you've been the longest serving nurse practitioner in our practice, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your service. You've gone above and beyond countless times for our patients. I have so many cherished memories that are a testament to your sincere care and compassion for patients facing particularly tough diagnoses. The kind of care and compassion you have is what nursing and medicine is all about. Because of this sincere compassion and care, your patients will always remember you."
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Ann Clifford, NP, Dr. Saira Naseer Ghiasuddin & Dr. Gail Fayre, Chief Medical Officer (all vaccinated & outside) |
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Mary Frasier, Transcriptionist in Health Information Management, retires after 34 years at AJH.
When Mary interviewed for her job, she brought her newborn baby along. Her co-worker, Karen Binette, held the baby while Mary interviewed and took a typing test.
Now that Mary is retired she plans to spend time with her children and grandchildren.
Shared by Director George Wilson, “We will miss her smile, compassion and willingness to do what was needed to get the job done.”
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George Wilson, Director, HIM, Mary Frasier & Mark Goldstein, President |
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Lisa Walsh, Certified Nurse Midwife, retires from Women's Health Care after 21 years.
As printed in the Newburyport Daily News' article, "Newburyport midwife announces her retirement after 21 years":
As news of her retirement spreads, many of those who she helped bring into the world, and their families, thanked Walsh on the online site kudosboard.
“There are no words on how much we as a family will miss you. I am so thankful to of had you as my midwife/OB for over 20-plus years,” Tricia Teel of Rowley wrote. “You saw me as a very young girl then a woman then a mother of two amazing babies that I was fortunate to have you deliver both. You have always made me feel like family. Always comfortable in my own skin. You will be so missed but congratulations on your retirement. I hope all good things come to you for your future as you have touched everyone in a positive blessed way.”
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Rhonda LeMaitre, Practice Manager, Women's Health Care & Lisa Walsh, CNM (both vaccinated) |
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In recognition of Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, BILH shared testimonials of teammates across the system, including Hua Qi of the Pharmacy who shared: "With my upbringing, I learned Chinese philosophies and traditional Chinese values. Applying this to my career, I feel I most benefit from always putting myself in other people's shoes. I strive to provide accurate and prompt service and to make a positive impact on our patients' care. I'm very appreciative for the opportunity to do what I love and I couldn't do it without the support of my colleagues in the pharmacy!"
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In honor of Mother's Day, AJH honored all those who play the role of Mom, including our hardworking staff who are expecting – like these three colleagues from the Newburyport Five Cents Savings Inpatient Unit - Mallory Tobin, RN, Jennie Appleton, NP & Jeana Ortega, RN.
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Wayne Capolupo, Chairman of the Building Committee, (left) and Robert Harris, project lead for Columba Construction, (right), admire the progress of the Stepping Forward Project.
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Skye is back! This month, Skye the Pet Therapy Dog and Volunteer Anne Tuthill lifted the spirits of patients, visitors and staff with every pat and tail wag with their return to AJH.
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AJH senior leaders and department directors gathered outside for an in-person daily Safety Huddle meeting - the first time not on Zoom since March 2020.
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In honor of Nurses Week, BILH showcased nurses across the system including Laura Davis, RN, for her courage working alongside her colleagues as they faced the unknowns of this past year in the COVID-19 unit, ED, and ICU, sharing:
Those who work with her know her best for her approachability, reliability, and intellect. With a consistently positive attitude and a calming confidence, she brings comfort to patients, employees, and administration who come in contact with her. Her peers believe she will bring her unique energy, optimism, passion, and tireless creativity for years to come in her nursing career. Even outside of work, you can see her riding by on her Vespa or running on the streets of Hampton Beach – her energy is non-stop!
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Did You Know?
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21st Century Cures Act: Patients have a right to obtain their medical records. If a patient asks for their medical record – either verbally or electronically through the patient portal – let them know that our Medical Records Department can help them get a copy of their records. Patients can contact Medical Records at 978-463-2345.
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Reusable Respirators: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health encourage the use of reusable respirators, such as envo®mask or elastomeric respirators. A reusable respirator is intended to be reused. A disposable respirator is no longer approved for reuse for longer than one shift, per Massachusetts Department of Public Health guidance. Reusable respirators are part of our ongoing PPE strategy to ensure everyone, in sterile and non-sterile environments, is protected by the right PPE.
Tips!
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Quality Tip of the Week- Why Must That Door Be Closed: When a door closes automatically in a hospital there is usually a good reason. While it’s tempting to prop it open, hospital staff should keep in mind the purpose of that closed door. For example, soiled utility rooms that hold dirty linen and biohazard waste are vented with negative air flow that works to keep infectious organisms away from patients and staff. Whether the pressure is positive or negative, an open door alters the air flow of a room. Open doors also invite wandering patients and visitors into potentially dangerous staff-only areas. Please think twice the next time you are tempted to prop open any door and when you see a propped open door, please take a moment to close it in the name of patient and staff safety.
Updates!
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Occupation Health Returns to Normal Office Hours: Effective May 28th, Occupational Health will return to their normal office hours Monday-Wednesday from 8:00am-4:30pm; Thursday and Friday from 7:00 am-3:30pm. For questions or concerns after hours, please leave a voice mail on the Occupational Health phone line at 978-834-8190.
Transition to FMLASource for Leave Administration
Effective June 1st, FMLA Source has been contracted to administer leaves of absence on behalf of all Beth Israel Lahey Health organizations. This means that starting on this date, you must contact FMLASource to request leave. This new process will ensure that your leave decisions are made promptly, properly, and administered to protect your benefits and ensure that qualified claims are filed.
Here are the steps to take a leave of absence:
- Notify your supervisor of an expected leave no later than 30 days prior to the leave, unless the circumstances of the leave do not allow for 30-day advance notification. In those situations, you must notify your supervisor as soon as feasible.
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Contact FMLASource at 844-587-1700 or www.FMLASource.com to request leave. FMLASource will discuss your leave options with you and walk you through the intake process and required documentation.
- If your leave is for your own serious health condition and you are enrolled in the Short-Term Disability (STD) plan, FMLASource will work with Unum to initiate your STD claim if eligible. You should not call Unum directly to start the process, but you may be contacted by Unum if additional information is required for the claim.
- Notify your supervisor if you want to use Extended Illness Bank (EIB) or Paid Time Off (PTO) time to be paid during your leave and how much accrued time you want to use. (EIB or PTO may not be used while receiving the MPFML benefit from the state.)
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If you are eligible and choose to apply for MPFML leave benefits through the state, create an account to make a claim at www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-family-and-medical-leave.
Note: If you are currently on a leave or have already applied, your claim will be transitioned to FMLASource automatically. All questions related to an active leave after June 1 should be directed to FMLASource, not your local leave resource.
Learn more about leaves and eligibility on AnnaOnline. You can also contact the Human Resources Department at ext. 1035 or the BILH Benefits Helpline at 888-402-1884 or [email protected].
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Anna Jaques Hospital
www.ajh.org
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