Team members gathered this past Friday at the 2018 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration hosted by the Baystate Health Organizational Resource Group, Black Employees Connecting. Dani Monroe, president and founder of Center Focus International Inc, was the keynote speaker for the event, discussing how to unleash the hidden talents of your workforce to support community and patient care. With the importance of honoring the legacy of Dr. King, we want to thank all employees that are working today to deliver high-quality patient care.

Save the date. ✔️ Tune in. ✔️ Put your money where the miracles are. ✔️ The 17th annual 94.7 WMAS - Springfield, MA Radiothon for Baystate Children's Hospital will be broadcast live from Baystate Medical Center March 6-7. Mark your calendar and click below to see how you can help kick-off this year's efforts! http://bit.ly/2A8duAR

When asked how he decided on a career in medicine, Dr. David Maguire said, “When I was enlisted in the US Army I had never given a thought to a career as a physician, but for whatever reason the Army decided I would be a medic. By the time I was discharged from the Army I had made up my mind to pursue the goal of becoming a physician and began the long process of studying for and applying to medical school, a decision I have never regretted.” Throughout the region Dr. Maguire is known for the outstanding compassionate care he provided to thousands of patients in his practice of over 30 years. Today, Dr. Maguire serves as chief medical officer for Baystate Health’s Eastern Region where he works closely with physicians, leaders and hospital staff to ensure that the highest standards of quality, care and service are maintained.

You may have read the now viral and very moving message a 27 year-old woman wrote just before she passed away from cancer. Her note ended with, “Oh and one last thing, if you can, do a good deed for humanity (and myself) and start regularly donating blood. It will make you feel good with the added bonus of saving lives. I feel like it is something that is so overlooked considering every donation can save 3 lives! That is a massive impact each person can have and the process really is so simple. Blood donation (more bags than I could keep up with counting) helped keep me alive for an extra year - a year I will be forever grateful that I got to spend it here on Earth with my family, friends and dog. A year I had some of the greatest times of my life.” January is National Blood Donor Month – you can be the hero for someone in your local community by donating blood with Baystate Health’s Blood Donor Program. This month, Baystate Medical Center nurses and doctors are joining forces to see which team can collect the most donations. Donate and support your favorite team! All donors will be given a t-shirt and gift card. Find the closest donor center or blood mobile here: http://bit.ly/2hNKAxp

Join Dr. Amanda Kravetz, vascular surgeon, Baystate Vascular Services, for a discussion about the complex network of veins throughout our legs and the important role veins play in our vascular system. Learn what causes varicose veins and if they are harmful. Additional information will be provided regarding venous disease and treatment options. HEART & VASCULAR HEALTH LECTURE SERIES Every Sunday in February 2018, 12-2 pm Baystate Health Education Center 361 Whitney Ave, Holyoke Join us for all or part of this free annual series to learn about the latest advances in heart and vascular care. Heart healthy refreshments and handouts provided with plenty of time for questions & answers. FREE EVENT! Register: http://bit.ly/2ANsVhi

A patient room at Baystate Medical Center has been transformed by a kind and talented 13-year-old, Alicia. Alicia’s dad has been a patient on the unit for over 70 days and was admitted several times this past year. She was so inspired by her dad’s care, that she made what she calls the “Wall of Fame” with beautiful hand-drawn portraits of his caregivers. Alicia took pictures of the team members and then drew them with their name, a quote, or something about them. Each person got a special title such as, “Dr. Lauren the Likeable;” “Katy the Knowledgeable;” “Dahlia the Dazzling;” “Alex the Strong;” and “Carrie the Creative.” When her father is discharged, Alicia plans to give each team member their drawing as a gift.

Jill Berthiaume, Patient Service supervisor, Compass One, was in the Medical/Surgical unit at Baystate Wing Hospital assisting patients with their menu selection when she noticed a patient having difficulty eating. Because of a condition, he was shaking and unable to hold his utensils. Jill asked if he had ever used weighted silverware. He had not, so she brought him a weighted spoon. The patient was delighted and shared that he was embarrassed to eat at the dinner table because he always dropped his food or utensils. With the weighted silverware he could manage and asked where he could purchase a set. Jill promptly spoke with Anthony Maschi, chef, Compass One, who said “I can do one better,” and walked up to the unit to present the patient with a new weighted set. The patient was overjoyed and said the silverware was going to change his life. Amazing job to both Jill and Anthony!

We're honored to congratulate Dr. Frank Robinson, vice president of Public Health for Baystate Health, awarded the Visionary & Innovative Leadership Award for Regional Collaboration at the Revitalize CDC 25th Anniversary awards event. He also received a citation from Governor Charlie Baker in honor of his award and accomplishments. Additionally, Dr. Robinson was recognized alongside Dr. Keroack, president and CEO for Baystate Health at the Massachusetts Association of CDCs (MACDC) 35th Anniversary Celebration receiving the "Excellence in Community Development". Dr. Robinson shared, “one’s growth and health is dependent on a stable community life. A stable community is a healthy community, one in which it easy for children and their families to make healthy decisions and live healthy. Baystate is working collectively with community development organizations to improve social and environmental conditions, in which people live, learn, work and play, in order to create/restore population health and health equity.”

"For Netanya, it was a natural reaction. For the new mother she helped - it was everything." Read more: http://bit.ly/2CXpSpn

Members of Baystate Health Every Woman answered the question, "Who are you?" Watch to see what they have to say! Join the fun and leave your answer in the comments.

The ‘bomb cyclone’ winter storm may have closed down most of the state, but the staff at Baystate Health braved the weather to deliver high quality patient care and keep operations running smoothly. Thank you to our dedicated team across the health system for always being there for our patients and putting our community first.

TechSpring - The Baystate Health Technology Innovation Center​ recently was featured on Innovate413​ as a leading innovation center and living lab. Take a look at the work they do to reshape healthcare and improve patient care.