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2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2008
Menopause IAP Series
MIT Medical is pleased to sponsor a series of educational presentations
on menopause during IAP. Please join us for the following events:
Menopause: Getting better all the time: Navigating through
the changes
Presented by Chana Wasserman, M.D., Evelyn Picker, M.D.,
and Stephanie Shapiro, M.D.
Tuesday January 15, 12:30–1:30 p.m., 4-145
Menopause: No Sweat! The changes women
experience at mid-life and beyond
Presented by Dawn Metcalf, L.IC.S.W.
Tuesday January 22, 12:30–1:30p.m., 4-145
For more information, please contact Elizabeth Carbone
at 617-258-5363 or rice@med.mit.edu
or visit the IAP
website.
2007
Thinking about starting birth control?
Presented by the
Women's Health Team at MIT Medical
Thursday November 8, 2007
6:00pm - 7:00pm
Stratton Student Center
Room PDR#4
(W20-303)
If you're thinking about starting birth control but don't
know where to begin, this is the information session for you!
On November 8, health educators and clinicians from the MIT Medical women's
health team will lead an educational discussion on contraception
and women's
health. With so many options available, this is your opportunity
to get the
information you need to make the choice that will work best
for you.
Due to limited seating, please RSVP by November 5. Call 617-253-1315,
or email womenshealth@med.mit.edu to
register.
MIT Medical will close between noon and 2:00pm
on October 15, 2007
MIT Medical will be closed on Monday, October 15, 2007,
between noon and 2 p.m., so staff members can attend the department's
annual meeting. Urgent
care and the Inpatient Unit will
remain open.
Contraception: Not your mother's birth control
Presented by the
Women's Health Team at MIT Medical
Thursday October 4, 2007
6:00pm - 7:00pm
Stratton Student Center
Room PDR#3
(W20-303)
You are invited to attend an educational discussion on
contraception and women's health. With so many
options available, this is your opportunity to get the information
you need to make the best choice for you.
Health educators and clinicians from the MIT Medical Women's
Health Team will lead the discussion about birth control options.
Due to limited seating, please RSVP by October 1 (phone, 617-253-1315 or email, womenshealth@med.mit.edu) Look for announcements about other women's health discussions
sponsored by MIT Medical later this fall.
Health Ambassador Program for Graduate Students Seeks Volunteers!
The Center for Health & Wellness at MIT Medical will be piloting
a Health Ambassador program this Fall. Graduate
students and spouses/partners of grad students are welcome to apply. Health
Ambassadors will act as a liaison between MIT Medical and the
graduate student population.
An information session will be held on September 18th
from 3-4 p.m. at MIT Medical, Building E-23, Room 319. For
more information, please contact Lauren Mayhew, Health Educator
at the Center for Health Promotion & Wellness, MIT Medical,
by phone at (617) 258-6965.
MIT Pharmacy Brown Bag Session
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
10:00 am-11:30 a.m.
Would you like to learn more about the medications you are taking and
ways to
improve your overall health?
The pharmacy staff invites you to bring all your medications in a "brown
bag" for a free medication consultation. Pharmacy staff members
will evaluate the medication and discuss your medication therapy,
including drug interactions and safety. All information will
be shared with your doctor.
Appointments are 15-20 minutes long and will allow our pharmacy team to
review your medications all together, instead of one at a time. Please
be sure to bring in any medication you take, including over-the-counter
medications.
Please RSVP by July 31, to anyone in the pharmacy department.
For more information, please see a pharmacist at MIT Medical or call 617-253-1517.
MIT Medical will close between noon and 2:00pm
on June 15, 2007
MIT Medical will be closed on Friday, June 15, 2007,
between noon and 2 p.m., so staff members can attend the department's
annual picnic. Urgent
care will remain open for emergencies.
Dawn Anderson, M.D., moves to MIT-affiliated Mount Auburn practice
June 8, 2007
OB/Gyn physician Dawn Anderson, M.D., will move from MIT Medical in Cambridge
to an MIT-affiliated Mount Auburn practice in Arlington later this year,
announced OB/Gyn chief Chana Wasserman, M.D., earlier this week.
"We're thrilled that this really is only a 'change of address' for
Dr. Anderson," explains Wasserman, "because her patients can
continue to see her in Arlington, and we can continue to have
her as a colleague." For the past three years, MIT Medical has had
a close relationship with Mount Auburn OB/Gyn practices in Arlington and
Lexington that allows MIT Health Plan members to see clinicians there.
MIT Medical is also adding staff to its OB/Gyn Service in Cambridge. "Women's
health nurse practitioner Jill Lamson will start seeing patients
at the end of this month," says chief of Nursing Services Kris Ruzycki,
A.P.R.N., B.C. The recruitment process for an additional physician has
also begun.
MIT Medical director William Kettyle, M.D., adds that Mount Auburn leadership
and MIT Medical administrators continue to work on the details
of Anderson's transition. "Assuring as little disruption for patients
as possible is important," he says. "Foremost in our minds is
the care of the women and their families in the MIT community."
Communication of a Clinical Kind: Towards Effective Care
20th Annual Catherine N. Stratton Aging Successfully Lecture
Thursday, May 10, 2007
4 to 6 p.m.
Wong Auditorium
Jack C. Tang
Center (E51)
A collaborative project of MIT Medical and the MIT Women's League, this
year's Catherine N. Stratton Aging Successfully lecture will focus on the
critical elements of effective communication in clinical experiences.
A distinguished panel of healthcare experts, moderated by MIT Medical's
medical director William M. Kettyle, M.D., will discuss
- Attitudes in clinician-patient relationships,
- Managing patient and clinician expectations,
- Measuring the quality of care,
- Assuring safety and preventing errors, and
- Using email and information-technology patient-centered
communication systems to enhance care.
Panelists:
- Beth Lown, M.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine
at Harvard Medical School , internist based at Mount Auburn
Hospital , and author of the primer Healthcare Communication
for Students
- Dana Gelb Safran, Sc.D., Director of The Health
Institute at Tufts-New England Medical Center's Institute
for Clinical Research Health Policy Studies, and Associate
Professor at Tufts School of Medicine
- Lucian Leape, M.D., former pediatric surgeon, Adjunct
Professor of Health Policy at The Harvard School of Public
Health, and co-founder of the National Patient Safety Foundation
- Daniel Z. Sands, M.D., M.P.H., Chief Medical Officer
and Vice President for Clinical Strategies, Zix Corporation
A question-and-answer period will follow the presentation. This event
is free and open to the public.
The Wong Auditorium is located near the Kendall Square/MIT stop on the
Red Line. Parking is available in the garage behind Legal Sea
Food on Ames Street in Cambridge.
Diabetes Self Management@MIT Medical
Bring your brown bag lunch to an education session
on diabetes
management designed specifically for MIT Medical patients.
Fruit and beverages will be served.
Medical Director and endocrinologist William Kettyle, M.D.,
along with MIT Medical's
experienced pharmacists, R.N.s, a nutritionist, and an
optometrist, will answer your questions about living with
diabetes.
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
12–1:30 p.m.
E25–119
Call 617-253-1324
to register. Guests are welcome.
Patient Online - Planned downtime notice
April 11, 2007
Patient Online will be down on Saturday, April 14 due to campus
construction activities impacting electricity in the Medical Department.
POL will be down Saturday morning at approximately 5:30 am until the construction
work is completed. The expected completion time is 7:00 pm.
MIT Health Plans broaden Gardasil coverage
January 9, 2007
Effective January 1, 2007, the MIT Health Plans cover Gardasil (HPV vaccine)
for all women and girls older than nine.
For students and affiliates and their dependents: Gardasil is covered
as an immunization for females older than nine who are enrolled in the
Student Extended Insurance Plan or Affiliate Extended Insurance Plan. Like
other immunizations covered under these plans, members will pay a $20 co-pay
per injection. Because Gardasil requires three doses of the vaccine to
become effective, the total co-pay amount for the three-dose series will
be $60.
Since Gardasil is not required for public health reasons, its cost is
deducted from the $2,500 annual maximum prescription drug benefit under
these plans. The actual cost of the vaccine is $150, so $130 per injection
($150 minus the $20 co-pay) will be deducted from your plan's $2,500 annual
maximum prescription drug benefit.
Employees and their dependents: Gardasil is covered as an immunization
for females older than nine who are enrolled in the MIT Traditional Health
Plan or MIT Flexible Health Plan. Like other immunizations covered under
these plans but not required for public health reasons, members will pay
a $20 co-pay per injection. Because Gardasil requires three doses of the
vaccine to become effective, the total co-pay amount for the three-dose
series will be $60.
Others in the MIT Community: Subject to vaccine availability, MIT Medical
can provide Gardasil vaccines to employees and dependents who are not members
of the MIT Traditional Health Plan or MIT Flexible Health Plan as well
as students, affiliates, and dependents who are not members of the Student
Extended Insurance Plan or Affiliate Extended Insurance Plan. If the employee,
student, or dependent has other insurance coverage, that other insurance
carrier will be billed for Gardasil injections provided at MIT Medical.
If the other insurance carrier does not cover the injections, the employee,
student, or dependent will be billed $150 for each of the injections in
the series ($450 total) as well as the cost of the administration.
2006
Kenneth B. Schwartz Foundation
awards grant to MIT Medical
October 16, 2006
MIT Medical has received a $15,000 grant from the Boston-based
Kenneth B. Schwartz Foundation to take a closer look at the
ways patients and providers communicate.
"Communication between a patient and his or her clinician is
key to receiving high-quality medical care," explains Ruth Fishbein,
MIT Medical's director of performance improvement and risk management
and project director. "We're excited about having this opportunity
to enhance this very important component of the care we provide."
The grant will be used to develop a self-sustaining patient-provider
communications program at MIT Medical. The 12-month project, which began
on August 1 in the Internal Medicine Service, includes patient surveys,
staff training, and the development of patient education materials. By
next August, the project team hopes to begin training other clinical
staff.
Other members of the project team include MIT Medical director William
Kettyle, M.D., principal investigator, and clinical director for campus
life Maryanne Kirkbride, project co-director. Mandy Smith, an analyst
with MIT's Office of Institutional Research will conduct the project
evaluation with assistance from Elissa Weitzman, Sc.D., at Children's
Hospital Boston.
MIT Medical welcomes family physician
to Lexington site
September 19, 2006
Family physician Brian Marriott, M.D., joined the MIT Medical/Lexington
staff as a primary care clinician, effective September 5,
announced MIT Medical's chief of medicine David V. Diamond,
M.D.
Marriott is board certified in family practice and will see both children
and adults. He will join nurse practitioner Deborah Sigman, A.P.R.N.,
B.C., who is also trained in family medicine, in providing comprehensive
medical care for patients at MIT Medical/Lexington. "In addition
to increasing clinician availability in pediatric and adult medicine," explained
Diamond, "Dr. Marriott's training and experience will bring added
service to our patients from Lincoln Laboratory and the neighboring
MIT community."
A graduate of Wright State University in Ohio with a B.S. in Biomedical
Engineering, Marriott attended medical school at Ohio State University
and earned his medical degree in May 1997. He completed his residency
in family practice at the Carilion Health System in Roanoke, Virginia.
From July 2000 to September 2004 he was on active duty with the United
States Air Force, initially stationed for three years at the Yokota Air
Base in Japan where he served as acting emergency services medical director
and participated in disaster relief in Guam. He was promoted to major
in 2003. From August 2003 to September 2004 he served as senior physician
and chief medical officer at Peterson Air Force Base and the Cheyenne
Mountain Air Station. He worked primarily in the family practice clinic.
Since October 2004, he has been in private practice in Newburyport ,
Mass., working as a community-based family practice physician.
"I'm very excited to have Dr. Marriott here," explained Sigman. "Our
practice has always been committed to serving families and adding him
to the staff enhances our ability to provide comprehensive care for this
community."
Gardasil (HPV vaccine) now available
at MIT Medical
August 17, 2006
Gardasil, the vaccine for the prevention of human papillomavirus
(HPV), is now available for patients at MIT Medical.
For students and affiliates and their dependents: Gardasil
is covered as an immunization for females between the ages of nine
and 26 (the FDA-approved population), who are enrolled in the Student
Extended Insurance Plan or Affiliate Extended Insurance Plan. Like
other immunizations covered under these plans, members will pay a $20
copay per injection. Because Gardasil requires three doses of the vaccine
to become effective, the total co-pay amount for the three-dose series
will be $60.
Since Gardasil is not required for public health reasons, its cost
is deducted from the $2,500 annual maximum prescription drug benefit
under these plans. The actual cost of the vaccine is $150, so $130
per injection ($150 - $20 co-pay) will be deducted from your plan's
$2,500 annual maximum prescription drug benefit.
Students, affiliates, and dependents who are enrolled in the Student
Extended Insurance Plan or Affiliate Extended Insurance Plan but do not
meet the FDA's sex and/or age criteria for this vaccine may still receive
the vaccine, but they will be billed $150 per injection for the three-dose
series, or a total of $450.
Subject to vaccine availability, MIT Medical can provide Gardasil vaccines
to students, affiliates, and dependents who are not members of the Student
Extended Insurance Plan or Affiliate Extended Insurance Plan. If a student,
affiliate, or dependent has other insurance coverage, that other insurance
carrier will be billed for Gardasil injections provided at MIT Medical.
If the other insurance carrier does not cover the injections, the student,
affiliate, or dependent will be billed $150 for each of the injections
in the series.
Employees and their dependents: Gardasil is covered as an immunization
for females between the ages of nine and 26 (the FDA-approved population),
who are enrolled in the MIT Traditional Health Plan or MIT Flexible Health
Plan. Like other immunizations covered under these plans but not required
for public health reasons, members will pay a $20 co-pay per injection.
Employees and dependents who are enrolled in MIT Traditional Health
Plan or MIT Flexible Health Plan but do not meet the FDA's sex and/or
age criteria for this vaccine may still receive the vaccine, but they
will be billed $150 per injection for the three-dose series, or a total
of $450.
Subject to vaccine availability, MIT Medical can provide Gardasil vaccines
to employees and dependents who are not members of the MIT Traditional
Health Plan or MIT Flexible Health Plan. If an employee or dependent
has other insurance coverage, that other insurance carrier will be billed
for Gardasil injections provided at MIT Medical. If the other insurance
carrier does not cover the injections, the employee or dependent will
be billed $150 for each of the injections in the series.
Request Prescription Refills
and Renewals Online - New!
January 10, 2006
Now you can easily request prescription refills and renewals
at your convenience using Patient Online, MIT Medical's online
personal health management tool. The latest enhancement to
Patient Online allows patients to view their personal medication
list and send a refill request to the MIT Medical Pharmacy.
If the prescription requires a renewal authorization from
your provider, the pharmacy will contact the provider for
you.
In addition to requesting prescription refills and renewals, you can
use Patient Online to:
- Request appointments and automatic email appointment
reminders.
- Update some of your personal information.
- Send secure email to participating MIT Medical clinicians.
- View certain parts of your health history.
- Request copies of your medical record.
Planned future enhancements to Patient Online include the ability to
request referrals.
To register for Patient Online, visit http://web.mit.edu/medical/login.html.
2005
MIT Medical awarded accreditation
from Joint Commission
December 14, 2005
MIT Medical has earned the Joint Commission on Accreditation
of Healthcare Organization's Gold Seal of Approval by demonstrating
compliance with the Joint Commission's national standards
for healthcare quality and safety. The award of accreditation
is for a three-year period ending October 2008.
The Joint Commission survey focused on patient safety and
quality of care. The surveyor talked with care providers
and observed direct care, treatment, and services to evaluate
the effectiveness of our communication, coordination of care,
and safe medication practices. MIT Medical successfully met
all of the Joint Commission's national patient safety goals.
MIT Medical has regularly sought and received accreditation
by the Joint Commission for the past 20 years. "We are happy
that the Joint Commission continues to recognize our commitment
to patient safety and quality care," says William Kettyle,
M.D., medical director, MIT Medical.
"Above all, the national standards are intended to stimulate
continuous, systematic, and organization-wide improvement
in an organization's performance and in the outcomes of care," says
Kurt Patton, executive director of the Joint Commission's
Hospital Accreditation Program. "The community should be
proud that MIT Medical is focusing on the most challenging
goal-to continuously raise quality and safety to higher levels."
Founded in 1951, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of
Healthcare Organizations seeks to continuously improve the
safety and quality of care provided to the public through
the provision of healthcare accreditation. An independent,
not-for-profit organization, the Joint Commission is the
nation's oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting
body in healthcare.
More information related to MIT Medical's accreditation
may be found by searching on "Massachusetts Institute of
Technology" in the "Quality Check" section of the Joint Commission
website (http://www.qualitycheck.org).
Grace Collura, D.M.D. named Chief of MIT Dental Service
November 2005
Grace Collura, D.M.D., has accepted the position of chief
of the MIT Medical Dental Service, announced Medical Director
William M. Kettyle, M.D. Collura has served as acting chief
since February and assumed the position of chief on November
1.
"Dr. Collura has done an outstanding job as acting chief," Kettyle
said. "The energy and enthusiasm she brings to the role,
in addition to her excellent clinical skills, make her an
ideal leader for the Service.
Collura, who has almost 20 years of experience as a dentist,
has been a member of the Dental Service since 2000. She earned
her dental degree at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
and her undergraduate degree in biology and economics from
Boston College.
"It's a real honor to accept this position," Collura said. "I
have tremendous respect for my colleagues in the Dental Service
and the excellent care they provide."
Influenza Vaccine Update: November 14, 2005
Flu shot eligibility expanded
MIT Medical is no longer restricting flu shots to patients at high risk for complications from the flu. Currently, we have a limited supply of influenza vaccine remaining and are able to offer it to the general MIT community through appointment-only clinics held during the next three weeks. To
make a flu shot appointment, call 617-253-4865, 8:30 a.m.-5
p.m., Monday through Friday.
For MIT Health Plan members, MIT students, MIT Student Medical
Plan members, and MIT Affiliate Insurance Plan members, there
is no charge to receive a flu shot. For benefits-eligible
MIT employees, the charge is $10, payable when the shot is
administered. For non-benefits eligible MIT employees, the
charge is $25, payable when the shot is administered. For
student spouses, partners, and children not covered by the
MIT Student Medical Plan, the charge is $25, also payable
when the shot is administered. Cash, checks, and credit cards
will be accepted.
We will update this website if we receive additional vaccine
and are able to offer more appointments.
For information about flu shot availability outside of MIT
Medical, visit http://flu.masspro.org/.
It is important to note that the flu vaccine is not the
only way to help prevent the flu. The Massachusetts DPH encourages
individuals to follow these steps to prevent the spread of
flu:
- Wash your hands with soap and warm water
or use an alcohol-based hand gel frequently.
- Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing.
If you don't have a tissue, cough into your upper sleeve,
not your hands.
- Do not take young children, those with immune
system problems, or chronically ill individuals into
large crowds unnecessarily when the flu is in your community.
- Stay home from work or school and avoid
public activities for at least five (seven for children)
days if you have symptoms of the flu.
- Do not share items that can spread germs
and viruses, like drinking cups, straws, or other items
you put in your mouth.
- Clean things that are touched often in the
household, classroom and childcare setting such as: doors,
refrigerator handles, phones, and water faucets.
And for those who do get the flu this winter, several antiviral
drugs have been approved for the treatment of influenza.
If taken within two days of getting sick, these drugs can
reduce flu symptoms and duration.
For more information about the symptoms and treatment for
the flu, including how to tell if you may have a cold or
the flu, please visit:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/coldflu.htm and
http://www.mass.gov/dph/cdc/epii/flu/flu1.htm
Influenza Vaccine Update: October 25, 2005
Want to avoid the flu this winter?
As the flu season approaches, MIT Medical reminds you to
consider getting immunized. MIT Medical will be holding flu
shot clinics on November 4 and November 11, 2005 to vaccinate
those patients at highest risk for serious complications
from influenza. We encourage you to call and make an appointment
for the November 4 or November 11 clinic if you fall into
one of these risk groups:
- adults age 65 or over
- children aged 6 to 23 months
- adults and children with heart or lung diseases
(including children with asthma), diabetes, kidney dysfunction,
or diseases of the blood or immune system
- pregnant women
- adults living with, or caring for, children
less than 6 months of age
- children living with other children less
than 6 months of age
MIT Medical also encourages all patients over age 65 to
be vaccinated against pneumococcal disease. Eligible patients
may get both a flu shot and a pneumococcal vaccine at our
flu shot clinic.
For more information about pneumoccocal vaccine, visit
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/VIS/vis-ppv.pdf. (Adobe Acrobat Required)
To make an appointment for a flu shot and/or pneumococcal
vaccine, call 617 253-4865, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. ,
Monday through Friday.
Fine print: Flu shots will be administered
subject to vaccine availability. If you are allergic to
egg proteins, don't get a flu shot.
We will update this web site after November 15, with information
about flu shot availability for patients who do not fall
into one of the above high-risk groups. For information about
flu shot availability outside of MIT Medical, visit http://flu.masspro.org/.
It is important to note that the flu vaccine is not the
only way to help prevent the flu. The Massachusetts Department
of Public Health encourages individuals to follow these steps
to prevent the spread of flu:
- Wash your hands with soap and warm water
or use an alcohol-based hand gel frequently.
- Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing.
If you don't have a tissue, cough into your upper sleeve,
not your hands.
- Do not take young children, those with immune
system problems, or the chronically ill into large crowds
unnecessarily when the flu is in your community.
- Stay home from work or school and avoid
public activities for at least five days (seven for children)
if you have flu symptoms.
- Do not share items that can spread germs
and viruses, like drinking cups, straws, or other items
you put in your mouth.
- Clean things that are touched often in the
household, classroom, and childcare setting, such as
doorknobs, refrigerator handles, phones, and water faucets.
And for those who do get the flu this winter, several antiviral
drugs have been approved for the treatment of influenza.
If taken within two days of getting sick, these drugs can
reduce flu symptoms and duration.
For more information about flu symptoms and treatment, including
how to tell whether you have a cold or the flu, please visit:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/coldflu.htm and
http://www.mass.gov/dph/cdc/epii/flu/flu1.htm.
MIT awarded grant to combat violence
against women
September 2005
MIT Medical director William Kettyle, M.D., announced that
MIT was the recipient of a nearly $200,000 grant from the
U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women. "Congratulations
to Laura Stuart, Maryanne Kirkbride, and others who led the
effort to secure this grant," said Kettyle.
According to health educator Laura Stuart, M.P.H., who will
also serve as project director, this grant will allow MIT
to greatly improve its policies, programs, and services around
issues of sexual assault and dating and domestic violence. "This
grant is a tribute to the many dedicated students and staff
who have worked over the past few years to raise awareness
and enhance our response to violence in our community," said
Stuart. "I am thrilled this grant will allow us to formalize
our collaboration and bring our work to the next level."
The MIT grant, made possible by the federal Violence Against
Women Act of 2000, will be used to address a broad array
of needs, including training faculty, staff, and students;
developing and disseminating educational materials and policies;
and strengthening victim services. The project will be implemented
in collaboration with many diverse campus organizations,
the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center , the Asian Taskforce
Against Domestic Violence, and the Victim Witness Services
Bureau of the Middlesex District Attorney's Office. As a
first step, the Center for Health Promotion and Wellness
at MIT Medical will convene the Sexual Assault and Relationship
Violence Coordinated Community Response Group (CRG) in September.
"I look forward to working with other campus and community
organizations to keep the MIT community safe and raise awareness
of these important issues," said Kettyle.
Pharmacy information session at MIT
Medical
Join us for coffee and an informal meeting with your pharmacist.
Bring your medications and your questions!
Open to MIT Medical patients
Wednesday, August 17th, 2005
10:00-11:00am
E23-274
MIT Medical names new Pediatrics
Chief
Jocelyn Joseph, M.D., M.P.H., has accepted the position
of Chief of Pediatrics at MIT Medical effective June 1, announced
Medical Director William M. Kettyle, M.D. Joseph has served
as Acting Chief of Pediatrics since April.
"Dr. Joseph brings her seemingly boundless energy and enthusiasm
to this important leadership role," Kettyle said. "I'm pleased
she has accepted this position, because I know she is committed
to the continued provision of excellent care for our community
now and in the years ahead."
Joseph joined MIT Medical's Pediatric Service in 1999 after
completing her residency at Children's Hospital in Boston.
She received her medical degree from Harvard Medical School
and her master's in public health from the Harvard School
of Public Health in 1995. In addition to seeing MIT's youngest
patients in the Pediatric Service, she also sees adolescent
patients and students in MIT Medical's Internal Medicine
Service.
"I'm delighted to take on this new role while I continue
to serve my patients," Joseph said. "We have a wonderful
staff here in Pediatrics, and I am excited to work with them."
Mark Goldstein, M.D., accepts position
at MGH
March 29, 2005
After more than 26 years of service to the MIT community,
Chief of Pediatrics Mark Goldstein, M.D., will leave MIT
this spring. Goldstein will be moving to Massachusetts General
Hospital where he will expand his work as Founding Chief
of the Adolescent Medicine Division. "This represents a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity for me to develop a first-rate adolescent medicine
service at a superb hospital," explained Goldstein.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Goldstein
for his many years of service to this community," said MIT
Medical Director William Kettyle, M.D. As Chief of Pediatrics
at MIT Medical, Goldstein led a team of six clinicians providing
care for patients at MIT Medical's Cambridge and Lexington
offices. Recent accomplishments of the Pediatrics Service
under Goldstein's leadership include implementing increased
screening and preventive strategies for infants at risk for
hyperbilirubinemia and increasing the influenza immunization
rate for children with asthma. "In addition to providing
excellent clinical care and leadership, Dr. Goldstein also
made sure that the Pediatrics Service was sensitive to the
very special needs of MIT students who were also parents," said
Kettyle.
Goldstein also served as Chief of Student Health for 20
years, stepping down from this role in July 2003. During
his tenure in this role, Goldstein involved many offices
on campus in the health care of students, establishing connections
between the Dean's Office, Athletics, Campus Police, and
Housing, among others. In addition, he introduced the MedLinks
concept to MIT after a visit to the University of California,
Berkeley in the late 1980s. He also founded the Student Medical
Advisory Council in the early 1990's as a way to involve
students more actively in MIT Medical issues.
Goldstein can also be credited with increasing the vaccination
rate among MIT students. Vaccination against hepatitis B,
measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, meningococcal disease,
tetanus and diphtheria was required for students matriculating
at MIT long before the Commonwealth of Massachusetts set
requirements by legislation. "Dr. Goldstein's work in this
area has helped to ensure that the MIT campus has been free
of these infectious diseases in recent years," said Kettyle.
"While we will miss Dr. Goldstein, MIT Medical remains committed
to the needs of families with children," emphasized Kettyle.
MIT Medical is currently recruiting a new Chief of Pediatrics
and recently announced the appointment of Jocelyn Joseph,
MD as acting Chief of Pediatrics.
Goldstein will continue to see patients at MIT Medical in
Cambridge until April 1 and at MIT Medical/Lexington until
the fall. His existing patients will have the opportunity
to select a new primary care physician from the Pediatric Service's
current clinical staff. For more information about MIT Medical
services and clinicians visit http://web.mit.edu/medical/.
Jay Afrow, D.M.D., accepts teaching
position at Harvard
March 2005
MIT Medical Dental Service Chief Jay Afrow, D.M.D., will
leave MIT at the end of February to accept a full-time teaching
position at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. "Deciding
to leave MIT has been difficult, but I am looking forward
to returning to teaching," Afrow said.
Afrow praised his colleagues in the Dental Service, saying, "MIT
Medical is fortunate to have a Dental Service of this caliber
and quality. I felt honored to call this group of talented
and compassionate providers my co-workers."
Grace Collura, D.M.D., has been named acting Dental Service
chief. Collura, a graduate of Tufts University School of
Dental Medicine, has been a member of the Dental Service
clinical staff since 2000. Afrow will continue to see patients
at MIT until February 25. His existing patients will have
the opportunity to select a new dentist from the Dental Service's
current clinical staff.
MIT Medical is currently recruiting for a new Dental Service
chief. "The Service has grown tremendously and made great
strides under Dr. Afrow's leadership," commented medical
director William Kettyle, M.D. "The new chief will be taking
the helm of a smoothly sailing ship."
Influenza Vaccine Update: January
18, 2005
Flu Vaccine Now Available to All in the MIT Community
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has
lifted restrictions on influenza vaccination and is now recommending
that remaining flu shots be made available to all those seeking
protection from the flu this season. MIT Medical can now
vaccinate all MIT-affiliated persons, as our supply permits.
MIT Medical patients should call the offices of their primary
care clinicians directly to make appointments to receive
the vaccination. Other members of the MIT community may call
617-253-4481 to schedule a flu vaccine at MIT Medical. Depending
on your insurance coverage and MIT affiliation, you may be
billed up to $25 for your shot.
It is important to note that the flu vaccine is not the
only way to help prevent the flu. The Massachusetts DPH encourages
individuals to follow these steps to prevent the spread of
flu:
- Wash your hands with soap and warm water, or use an
alcohol-based hand gel frequently.
- Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing. If you don't
have a tissue, cough into your upper sleeve, not into your
hands.
- Do not take young children or individuals with immune
system problems or chronic illnesses into large crowds
unnecessarily when there have been flu cases in your community.
- Stay home from work or school and avoid public activities
for at least five days (seven for children) if you have
symptoms of the flu.
- Do not share items that can spread germs and viruses,
like drinking cups, straws, or other items you put in your
mouth.
- Clean things that are touched often in household, classroom,
and childcare settings, such as doors, refrigerator handles,
phones, and water faucets.
And for those who do get the flu this winter, several antiviral
drugs have been approved for the treatment of influenza.
If taken within two days of getting sick, these drugs can
reduce flu symptoms and duration.
For more information about the symptoms and treatment for
the flu, including the difference between cold and flu symptoms,
please visit:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/coldflu.htm
Click here to
read our latest flu vaccine update
2004
You're invited!
MIT Medical/Lexington 5th anniversary celebration
MIT Medical celebrates five years of serving
the Lincoln Laboratory community this November. Please join
us at the Lexington Health and Wellness Center for cake,
refreshments, and gifts on Wednesday, November 3, from noon
to 1 p.m.
Stop by anytime during the week for a free
gift.
MIT Pharmacy
offers information sessions this fall
September 28, 2004
Coumadin Information Session
Are you taking Coumadin? Do you have questions?
Join us at an educational session designed specifically
for MIT Medical patients who are taking Coumadin. Come meet
the Coumadin management team, who will provide information
about Coumadin therapy and answer your questions.
Date: Thursday, October 14, 2004
Time: 10 - 11 a.m.
Location: E23-274 (Building E23, Room 274)
Call 617-253-4909 to register (guests are also welcome)
MIT Medical Coumadin Management Team
Leigh Firn, M.D. Physician, Internal Medicine
Hossein Monzavi, Pharm D. Pharmacist
Chandra Fontair, R.N. Registered Nurse
Christine Stella, A.P.R.N., B.C. Nurse Practitioner
Nelia Jennings, M.T.(ASCP) Medical Technologist
Sylvia Mateega, R.Ph. Pharmacist
Diabetes Information Session
Do you have diabetes? Does someone you care about have
diabetes?
Join us at an educational session on diabetes management
designed specifically for MIT Medical patients. Medical director
and endocrinologist, William Kettyle, M.D., along with MIT
Medical's experienced pharmacists, a nutritionist, and an
optometrist, will answer your questions about living with
diabetes. Healthy snacks will be provided.
Date: Monday, October 18, 2004
Time: 12-1 p.m.
Location: E25-119
Call 617-253-1324 to register (guests are also welcome)
New health plan
cards for MIT Health Plans to be mailed in September
August 3, 2004
This summer, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) will assign new
identification numbers to all members of the MIT Traditional
and Flexible Health Plans, MIT Student Extended Insurance
Plan, and MIT Affiliate Extended Insurance Plan. This change
was implemented as part of ongoing efforts to protect members'
privacy, because a number of BCBS members have been using
their social security numbers as their BCBS identification
numbers. Members will receive insurance cards with their
new numbers by September. You may continue to use your current
BCBS card until you receive your new card.
If you joined one of the MIT Health Plans after June 2004,
you will not receive your insurance card until the end of
August. You do not need an insurance card for services at
MIT Medical. If you require services outside the MIT Medical
Department prior to receiving your new card, contact Claims
and Member Services at 617-253-5979 to request your new BCBS
number. In case of emergency, members should seek appropriate
care and have the emergency care provider contact Claims
and Member Services at 617-253-5979.
We are making every effort to minimize the impact of this
change, but members may experience delays with referrals
as their BCBS numbers are converted. If you have any questions,
please contact Claims and Member Services at 617-253-5979.
Schedule changes during
the Democratic National Convention
July 12, 2004
Dear Patients,
As you know, the Democratic National Convention (DNC) is coming to Boston's
Fleet Center from Monday, July 26, through Thursday, July 29. Road and train
station closures during the convention will make commuting to and from Cambridge
a challenge (For complete information about MIT and the DNC, visit http://web.mit.edu/dnc/index.html).
MIT Medical will be open that week, but we have made some slight schedule
changes to make sure our patients face as little disruption as possible in
getting to and leaving their appointments.
Current information indicates that security
and law enforcement officials will close major roads in the
area, like I-93 and Memorial Drive, from 4 p.m. until late
evening Monday through Thursday of the convention week. We
are not scheduling patients for appointments after 2 p.m.
on those days, but the lab, x-ray, and most clinical areas,
including Mental Health, will continue operating with reduced
staffing until 5 p.m. to handle phone calls, acute care,
and emergencies. To accommodate patients wanting to leave
campus early, the pharmacy will be open 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Similarly, the Dental Service will open at 8 a.m. As always,
Urgent Care, the After Hours Service, and the inpatient unit
will be open 24 hours. If you have questions about our schedule
during the convention week, contact your clinician’s
office directly.
At this point, we are expecting MIT Medical/Lexington,
on the Lincoln Laboratory campus, to maintain regular hours.
Should this change, we will notify scheduled patients immediately.
The MIT shuttle to Lincoln Laboratory may be affected, however,
which would impact pharmacy and lab deliveries. We will do
our best to keep you informed.
Please keep in mind that all of these
schedule changes are based on the best information we have
available right now, and we may have to make additional changes
as the convention week unfolds. We will use this website
to notify patients of any last-minute changes in the MIT
Medical schedule.
Thank you in advance for your patience
and good humor during what may be a challenging week for
all of us.
William Kettyle, M.D.
Medical Director, MIT Medical
Student Extended
Insurance charges to be posted on July tuition bill
July 12 , 2004
Charges for the Student Extended Insurance
Plan were inadvertantly left off the tuition bill. These
charges will be included on the July online bill. Waiver
and enrollment forms are available now.
Is there a wedding in your future?
May 21, 2004
When a couple applies for a marriage license, Massachusetts law requires medical certificates for each applicant. The medical certificate states that the individual has been examined and found free of communicable syphilis. The certificate also indicates that the physician has discussed AIDS information with each applicant and offered female applicants a voluntary test for rubella susceptibility. More information about medical certificates and Massachusetts marriage license requirements may be found at http://www.state.ma.us/sec/cis/cismrg/mrgidx.htm.
Here's how to get your medical certificate…
If you're an MIT Traditional, Flexible, Student, or Affiliate Health Plan member: Visit your personal physician's secretary to obtain a lab requisition form for your premarital blood test. At that time, the secretary will also make an appointment for you to meet with your clinician to get the test results and have the certificate signed. Then, just take the lab requisition form to the MIT Medical Laboratory (E23-169) anytime Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Test results will be available within a week.
If you are a member of the MIT community, but not an MIT Health Plan member: Just stop by the front desk and tell the receptionist you would like a premarital blood test. The front desk staff will help you in obtaining the appropriate lab requisition form and making an appointment with an MIT Medical clinician.
If your partner is not affiliated with MIT, he or she may also have the blood test performed here. Your partner should simply accompany you when you pick up your lab requisition form. He or she can obtain a lab requisition form at the same time. You will need only one follow-up appointment for both of you to meet together with the clinician to obtain the results and have your certificates signed.
What does it cost?
Premarital clinician visits are free of charge to all members of the MIT community. For members of the Traditional, Flexible, Student or Affiliate MIT health plans, blood tests are also available at no charge. For members of the MIT community with another insurance plan, there will be a $22 charge for the blood test. We can assist with filing a claim form with other insurance companies.
Free Skin Cancer Screening - make an appointment
May 4 , 2004
MIT Medical is offering free skin cancer screening appointments to members of the MIT community. Space is limited, please call early to schedule your appointment.
MIT Medical/ Cambridge
Friday, May 14, 10am - 4:30pm
Friday, June 11, 10am - 4:30pm
appointments: 617-253-4865
MIT Medical/ Lexington
Thursday, June 24, 9am - 4pm
Thursday, July 22, 9am - 4pm
appointments: 781-981-7080
MIT Medical Hosts Open House During Campus Preview Weekend
April 13, 2004
MIT Medical invites prospective students and their parents to an open house to learn about
the insurance plan and the services
we offer MIT students.
Clinicians and administrative staff
will be available to answer questions
and to give an overview of the
Medical Department.
Friday, April 16, 2004
7–11 p.m.
MIT Medical, E23-4th Floor
Call 617-253-4481 for directions.
2003
Additional Flu Clinics Scheduled at MIT Medical
December 4, 2003
MIT Medical will provide flu shots by appointment to the MIT community from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, December 4, and Thursday, December 9.
The shots are free to all registered MIT students, and to the families of students who have joined the MIT Student or Affiliate Medical Plan. Flu shots are also free to employees who are members of the MIT Health Plan or the MIT Affiliate Health Plan, and to retirees with Medicare Part B. A fee of $10 is charged to other benefits-eligible employees at MIT, Lincoln Laboratory, Whitehead and Draper; the cost for other members of the MIT community is $25.
To schedule a brief appointment to receive the flu shot, call 253-4481. Shots will be given at MIT Medical (E23).
You're invited! Come meet our OB/Gyn clinicians
November 1, 2003
We'd like to invite you to an open house to introduce our new affiliation with Mount Auburn Hospital and our new obstetric and gynecology providers. We are excited about this new partnership, which will expand the services we can offer to the women of our community.
Come talk with our clinicians in person and enjoy light refreshments at two informal open houses in November:
MIT Medical/Cambridge, E23-364
November 18, 5-6:30 p.m.
MIT Medical/Lexington, V-110
November 12, noon-1:30 p.m.
R.S.V.P. 781-981-7080
Clinicians from our OB/Gyn Service will be available at both locations to discuss the new partnership and meet interested members of the MIT community. In Cambridge, meet Jeannette Clough, CEO of Mount Auburn Hospital, Charles Kawada, M.D., Chief of OB/Gyn at Mount Auburn Hospital, and our new MIT Medical clinicians Dawn Anderson, M.D., Deborah Gowen, C.N.M., and Marcia Snyder, C.N.M. Long-time MIT clinicians Annie Liau, M.D., Dolores Vidal, R.N.,C.S., and Chana Wasserman, M.D., will also be there to talk with new and returning patients.
In Lexington, Dr. Kawada and clinicians from our newly affiliated OB/Gyn practices in the Lexington area--Lexington Practice for Women and Lexington OB/Gyn Associates--will be available to talk with patients. If you plan to come to the Lexington event, please let us know by calling 781-981-7080. We look forward to seeing you there.
Expanded Choice of Ob/Gyn Care Providers and Locations: New Mount Auburn Hospital Affiliation
October 23, 2003
After months of discussion with a number of hospitals and physician groups in the area, MIT Medical has decided to switch their hospital affiliation for Ob/Gyn services to Mount Auburn Hospital, a Harvard Medical School affiliate in Cambridge, effective January 1, 2004.
Medical Director William Kettyle, M.D. explained, "Throughout this process, we have been looking for a partnership that will assist us in providing the best care for our patients. Together with Jeanette Clough, the President and CEO of Mount Auburn Hospital, and Charles Kawada, M.D., Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, we are very excited about this new partnership and are committed to providing the highest quality care to the women of our community."
Supplementing MIT Medical clinicians' time with doctors, midwives and nurse practitioners from Mount Auburn will allow MIT Medical to expand the services offered at MIT. These providers will be on site at MIT Medical consistently and will participate in departmental and MIT community activities.
This affiliation will also allow MIT Medical to offer Ob/Gyn care to women in the Lexington area through Mount Auburn practices there that have doctors, nurse practitioners, and certified nurse midwives. These practices may be convenient for members of the MIT community who live in the northwest suburbs as well as to people working at Lincoln Lab and their families. These practices will be an extension of MIT Medical and will be considered in-network providers for our members in the Flexible MIT Health Plan, and for covered obstetrical services in the MIT Student and Affiliate Extended Insurance Plans.
Most patients will continue to choose obstetrical and gynecological care at MIT Medical in Cambridge. Some long-term MIT Medical clinicians including Annie Liau, M.D., Chana Wasserman, M.D., and Dolores Vidal, R.N., C.S., will continue to see patients at MIT. They will be joined by Dawn Anderson, M.D., Deborah Gowen, C.N.M. and Marcia Snyder, C.N.M.
Effective January 1, patients may also choose clinicians at these Mount Auburn community practices:
- Lexington Practice for Women
- Lexington Ob/Gyn Associates
- Mount Auburn Ob/Gyn Associates and Midwifery Associates (in Arlington)
MIT Medical remains steadfast in its commitment to the women of the MIT community. By working with Mount Auburn, MIT Medical will be able to offer more extensive and robust women's health services to the MIT community.
ValueOptions Network for Outpatient Mental Health Care
October 15, 2003
Beginning January 1, 2004, the MIT Traditional and Flexible Health Plans will offer a new mental health benefit that provides members with low out-of-pocket costs and the freedom to choose among a large network of high-quality providers.
MIT Medical will be partnering with ValueOptions, a well-respected behavioral healthcare management company, to provide comprehensive, outpatient mental health services to members of the MIT Health Plans. Clinicians in MIT Medical's Mental Health Service will continue to see new patients for evaluation, brief treatment, and referrals, as clinically appropriate, to outside clinicians for ongoing treatment or therapy. Patients currently in treatment at the Mental Health Service and their clinicians will discuss their needs and goals and consider various treatment options.
The MIT Health Plans will pick up 75 percent of the fee for health plan members seeing a ValueOptions preferred provider, up to 50 visits per calendar year. Out-of-pocket patient costs will generally be between $15 and $25 per visit. For members who elect to see a non-ValueOptions provider, the MIT Health Plans will pay 50 percent of "reasonable and customary fees," and the member will pay the remainder, up to the total fee charged.
Approximately one-third of health plan members currently receiving services outside MIT Medical's Mental Health Service are seeing a clinician who is already a ValueOptions preferred provider. MIT Medical and ValueOptions will invite other clinicians currently seeing health plan members to join a mini-network of preferred providers just for the MIT community. Health Plan members currently seeing a mental health clinician who is not a ValueOptions provider— and who opts not to join MIT's "mini-network" —will be "grandfathered" for one year. Under this arrangement, these patients may continue to see their out-of-network clinicians through the end of 2004 and receive up to $50 reimbursement per visit for a maximum of 50 visits per calendar year. [Editor's note: More recently, it became clear that reimbursement rates for out-of-network clinicians would be higher than anticipated at the time this news release was written. Since this reimbursement rate—up to $60 per visit for up to 50 visits per calendar year—represented a better rate than the "grandfathering" arrangement would have offered, the grandfathering option will not be offered. For more information, see the ValueOptions FAQ, posted December 18, 2003.]
ValueOptions provides mental health, substance abuse, and employee-assistance services to more than 23 million Americans, serving nearly 900 private-sector companies and organizations, thirty-two public-sector programs, and TRICARE, the Department of Defense health care initiative for spouses and families of military personnel. In member surveys, the vast majority of individuals served by ValueOptions consistently rate their mental health services and benefits very highly. We are excited to be able to offer this high-quality, cost-effective program for outpatient mental health services to our MIT Health Plan members.
You may contact MIT Health Plans Member Services at 617-253-5979 or e-mail them at mservices@med.mit.edu for more information. The MIT Health Plans and the Mental Health Service are committed to assuring that all health plan members receive the best possible clinical care.
MIT Medical will provide
flu shots by appointment to the MIT community from October
14 to November 7, 2003
October 1, 2003
The shots are free to all registered MIT
students, and to the families of students who have joined
the MIT Student and Affiliate Medical Plan. Flu
shots are also free to employees who are members of the
MIT Health Plan or the MIT Affiliate Health Plan, and to retirees
with Medicare Part B. A fee of $10 is charged to other benefits-eligible
employees at MIT, Lincoln Lab, Whitehead and Draper; all other
members of the MIT community will be charged $25. To schedule
a brief appointment to receive the flu shot, please call 253-4865.
Shots are given on the fourth floor of the Campus medical
building (E23).
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