Health Headlines
Hope. Healing. Humanity.
Though more than a month has passed since the tragic events at the Boston Marathon, the healing has only just begun for the victims and their families, as well as for the doctors, nurses, and numerous staff members who have cared for many of them here at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
No matter where you were on Monday, April 15, and the days that followed, almost everyone was affected in some manner.
“There is no one way to feel or ‘right’ way to feel or cope after a situation such as this,” says Barbara Sarnoff Lee, LICSW, Director of Social Work at BIDMC. “Everyone will have their own unique response based on who they are and their past histories. One of the many themes that we heard from responders and from people who were not involved in the response efforts was one of helplessness or a wish to ‘do something.’”
There are many ways you can help, simply by giving back. Volunteering at a local hospital, community center, or nursing home is one way to help your community at any time.
Many victims of the marathon attacks needed blood during their treatment; giving blood through the American Red Cross to replenish their supply in the wake of this tragedy is a wonderful way to offer your support as well.
Making a donation to the victims and their families is yet another way that you can help.
Learn more about the donation options available through BIDMC »
BIDMC would also like to thank the thousands of people who have offered their thanks and appreciation to our medical center in the wake of the Marathon tragedy, through their words, photos, and actions.
“Gratitude has been pouring in from across the city and, indeed, from across the world for all that you’ve done,” BIDMC President and CEO Kevin Tabb, MD, said at a Reflection Celebration held for staff members on April 26. “It’s gratitude for all of you who care deeply about what we do. This is what we do each and every day — not just the last 10 days. And not just for the next week. We have been doing this for a very long time and we’ll continue to do it, because that’s who we are. That’s what we do.”
BID Breaks Ground for New Cancer Center, Surgical Pavilion in Needham
Construction is now underway for the new Beth Israel Deaconess Cancer Center & Surgical Pavilion after Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) and Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Needham (BID-Needham) broke ground on April 10 for the building, which is expected to open in the summer of 2014.
The comprehensive cancer center will consolidate BIDMC’s west suburban cancer services into a new, state-of-the-art facility. The new surgical area will provide the ability for patients to have more advanced surgeries closer to home.
“This will be a very patient-centered facility,” says BID-Needham President and CEO John Fogarty. “Patients and clinicians have worked side by side with the architects for months to design the ideal patient experience. The result is a plan that consolidates all cancer services on one floor and a new surgical center on the second floor, which allows for more advanced surgeries including cancer, colorectal, orthopaedic, urology, otolaryngology and general surgery.”
The three-story, 30,000-square foot building, designed by JACA Architects and being constructed by BOND, will be located on the footprint of BID-Needham’s former administration building, which was recently demolished. In addition to the new building, a new parking area is being built where parking will continue to be free for all patient and visitors.
“This collaboration between BIDMC and Needham offers a unique opportunity to upgrade and expand cancer and surgical services already being offered in Needham to our patients in the western suburbs,” says Kevin Tabb MD, BIDMC’s President and CEO. “It is the latest example of our commitment to provide the right care in the right place at the right time.”
In the new building, BIDMC will offer patients a full array of cancer care that will include advanced imaging systems; six new infusion bays; a radiation oncology suite with a state-of-the-art linear accelerator to facilitate the delivery of advanced conformal radiation therapy; and access to leading-edge clinical trials and novel treatments.
“BIDMC already offers coordinated care from extraordinary clinicians in the service of individualized medicine,” says Lowell Schnipper, MD, Clinical Director of the Cancer Center at BIDMC. “This new facility will enable us to provide patients the same world class-care without them having to travel to and park in downtown Boston.”
The $24 million cost of the cancer center and surgical pavilion will be financed by a combination of community-raised capital campaign funds and significant investments by BID-Needham and BIDMC. BID-Needham will raise $6 million to make this cancer center and surgical pavilion a reality.
“We could not accomplish this without the collaboration of the two hospitals and the community’s ongoing support,” says Richard W. Davis, Chair of the Board of Trustees at BID-Needham. “I am thrilled to be able to be part of such an important chapter in our history and the mission to keep our commitment to provide easy access to health care close to home.”
This project represents Phase II of a dedicated plan to improve and expand care available to patients in the western suburbs of Boston. In October 2009, BID-Needham opened a new emergency department and a new inpatient wing.
“BIDMC is proud to partner with BID-Needham in this project,” says Stephen Kay, chair of the BIDMC Board of Directors. “This new facility makes high- quality cancer and surgical care even more accessible.”
BIDMC Unveils Outpatient Palliative Care Services
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center recently opened a new outpatient clinic offering patients assistance in managing symptoms, clarifying goals of care, and maintaining or improving quality of life.
The interdisciplinary team in the Outpatient Palliative Care Clinic practices this specialty by emphasizing a combination of state-of-the-art palliative medicine and psychosocial support for patients, family members and caregivers.
“Within the past three or four years, it’s been increasingly apparent that we’ve been shortchanging our patients by only offering palliative care services to patients in the hospital, which is often a time of crisis,” says Mary Buss, MD, MPH, Director of Ambulatory Palliative Care Services at BIDMC. “We’re pleased to be expanding access to palliative care at BIDMC. Seeing patients in the ambulatory setting will allow us to get involved earlier in a patient’s illness. We should be able to prevent some hospitalizations related to symptom crises.”
Candidates for outpatient palliative care consultation include patients with a serious, potentially life-threatening diagnosis such as dementia, cancer, neurological conditions, or those with liver, heart or lung disease.
“Regardless of the diagnosis, we can see patients in conjunction with their primary providers,” Buss says. “We can see patients while they receive curative or life-prolonging treatment if that’s the case.”
The outpatient team says that the survival advantage to integrating palliative care sooner in treatment is another important reason for opening the new clinic.
“Palliative care is oftentimes seen as ‘end-of-life’ treatment,” Buss adds. “But studies have shown that when palliative care is integrated sooner, there is a decreased burden of disease and increased quality of life. Some studies even show a survival advantage. Palliative care focuses on helping people live better lives; in doing so, people may also live longer.”
The new outpatient clinic will also coordinate with inpatient palliative care consultants.
“If we see a patient who is being admitted, we will pass along our recommendations to the inpatient team,” Buss explains. “And if a patient is being discharged but could benefit from outpatient palliative care, we’ll be made aware of this as well.”
The entire consultation of palliative care is anchored by the patient.
“We offer symptom management expertise, psychosocial support and facilitation of decision-making with patients and their primary providers,” Buss says.
Other members of the outpatient team include Vicky Gurfolino, NP, who has home care and hospice experience; Leo Newhouse, LICSW, Social Work; and Rev. Katie Rimer, Chaplain, Pastoral Care and Education.
Buss, who also practices as a medical oncologist, says the team believes strongly in the importance of earlier integration of palliative care into patient care and in the patient-physician communication.
“We discuss realistic goals and provide support for those struggling to find meaning in the last stages of life,” Buss says. “The patients tell us what’s important. It’s our job to keep the goals realistically consistent with their medical condition, and to enhance their functional status if that’s what they choose.”
The new clinic is located on the fifth floor of the Carl J. Shapiro Clinical Center on BIDMC’s East Campus. It is open Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Wednesdays from 1 to 5 p.m.
For more information or to make a referral, contact Chanel Bryant-Alexander, Program Coordinator for Palliative Care, at 617-667-1320.
Above content provided by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. For advice about your medical care, consult your doctor.
Posted May 2013