Tufts Medical Center News Headlines
Week of February 5, 2007 - February 12, 2007
The following headline stories are re-printed from the Tufts Medical Center News, Tufts Medical Center's weekly publication.
Dedication Held for Paul Pierce Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery at Tufts Medical Center
Legendary basketball star Paul Pierce, captain of the Boston Celtics and five-time NBA All-Star, joined Tufts Medical Center and Floating Hospital for Children President and CEO Ellen Zane, Bariatric Surgery Division Chief Scott Shikora, MD, and other supporters to dedicate the Paul Pierce Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery on Thursday, February 1.
“Tufts Medical Center has a proud, 210-year history of dedication to our patients and their families, and of forward-thinking vision,” said Zane. “The leading edge technology and surgical expertise available at the Paul Pierce Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery is an exceptional example of that commitment. We are delighted to partner with Paul in making this outstanding care available at Tufts Medical Center.”
Pierce has been a supporter of Tufts Medical Center since benefiting from an innovative surgical procedure here in 2000. Pierce underwent minimally invasive surgery for an injury that, under normal circumstances, would have required major surgery, sidelining him for the season and leaving a significant scar. Thanks to the expert care and innovative, minimally invasive surgical techniques at Tufts Medical Center, Pierce was able to return to the court quickly and went on to have one of the best seasons of his career.
At that time, a grateful Pierce pledged $250,000 to the Medical Center’s Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) program so others could benefit from the same revolutionary technology.
“I was lucky enough to have been at this hospital in my time of need,” said Pierce. “I want to lend my name and support to make sure other people in my same situation can get the care I received.”
Pierce is also one of three honorees at this year’s Rising Stars Gala to Benefit Tufts Medical Center and the Floating Hospital for Children on Thursday, February 8. This special evening recognizes outstanding individuals within the Tufts Medical Center community who have been champions and pioneers in medical care, research, education, and civic leadership.
Pierce is being honored for his work on behalf of Tufts Medical Center, as well as for the efforts of his charitable foundation, The Truth Fund. The fund echoes Pierce’s professional nickname – “The Truth” – which was bestowed by Los Angeles Lakers great Shaquille O’Neal. The foundation provides opportunities for young people to recognize their dreams through mentoring programs, technology and other educational needs. The Truth Fund also works to foster stable and safe environments for children.
Yin-Fong Lam is February’s Saltonstall Award Recipient
Yin-Fong Lam, Tufts Medical Center social worker, is this month’s recipient of the William Saltonstall Employee Excellence Award. She has worked at the Medical Center for almost 10 years.
“Yin-Fong has developed a trusting relationship with many families,” said Doreen Harvey, RN. “She offers a caring, comforting voice to families whose loved ones are experiencing illness and often uncertain outcomes.”
As a clinical social worker, Lam assists patients and their families with a broad range of psychosocial issues associated with their medical condition or emotional well-being. In her role, she assists the Tufts Medical Center Asian patient population as well as all patients in the Medical Intensive Care Unit.
“Yin-Fong has an important and unique role as the Asian Clinical Social Worker in our department and works tirelessly on the behalf of Asian families,” said Darlene Holland, LSW, Tufts Medical Center resource specialist in the Department of Social Work Services. “This is often a challenging process as language and cultural barriers make it difficult for many Asian patients to access medically necessary services and to receive emotional support. She is truly a lifeline for many families who rely on her expertise to explain and guide them through a complex medical system.”
Malisa Brown Named Director of Government Affairs
Malisa Brown has been named director of Government Affairs at Tufts Medical Center and Floating Hospital for Children. She will oversee the Medical Center’s relationships with elected officials and government agencies on matters of public policy at the local, state and federal level.
Brown joins the Medical Center from the Office of the Attorney General of Massachusetts, where she worked as the director of Intergovernmental Affairs. In this role she guided the office’s policy direction, worked with senior leadership in developing and implementing strategies and was appointed by Attorney General Reilly to serve on the Asian American Commission.
Brown brings more than 10 years of legislative and policy experience to the Medical Center. Prior to her work at the Attorney General’s Office she was manager of the Global Transfer Program at Bain & Company served on the Richard Musiol Committee as director of campaign finance, and also worked as an aide for Massachusetts Senator Therese Murray.
Brown received a master’s degree in public affairs from the University of Massachusetts, Boston and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Stonehill College.
Nicholas Guerina, MD, PhD, Receives Grant to Improve Neonatal Outcomes in Developing Nations
The American Academy of Pediatrics has awarded Nicholas G. Guerina, MD, PhD, director of Perinatal Infectious Diseases at Floating Hospital for Children, with a grant specifically designed to support scientific, clinical and epidemiological research in neonatal resuscitation.
“Each year, millions of infants born in developing countries die from a variety of causes, with breathing problems due to difficulties with the birth process being high on the list. In order to survive they need prompt resuscitation,” said Geurina. “Lack of basic equipment and resuscitation training increases the infant mortality rate in these countries.”
The one-year, $15,000 grant aims to help save thousands of newborn lives each year by improving birthing care, resuscitation and postnatal care.
“Neonatal resuscitation is a simple, inexpensive and cost-effective intervention that is widely used but hasn’t been disseminated in many communities throughout developing countries,” said Guerina. “Through training and the provision of inexpensive equipment such as pocket mask resuscitators, a practical approach can be taken in improving neonatal outcomes in these areas.”
Guerina was also recently recognized by the Albanian Ministry of Health for the implementation of a neonatal resuscitation program (NRP) throughout that country.
The Albanian NRP, implemented by Guerina and colleagues from the University of Tirana and Floating Hospital for Children, includes an Albanian translation of Guerina’s NRP textbook and the training of selected Albanian physicians to be future trainers―a crucial mechanism for sustaining the program.
Guerina is also working to develop a neonatal resuscitation program throughout the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republika Srpska, an effort that has groundbreaking medical implications between areas that are otherwise quite divided.
According to Jonathan Davis, MD, chief of Newborn Medicine at Floating, “We are all extremely proud of Dr. Guerina’s achievements. He has already made significant contributions to clinical care, research and education throughout the entire Medical Center. This grant will allow him to export much of his expertise to regions of the world where they are greatly needed.”
For more information or to assist with Guerina’s research efforts contact him directly at 617-636-4197 or via e-mail at nguerina@tufts-nemc.org.
Tufts Medical Center Celebrates Black History Month
The following profile is part of the Medical Center’s celebration of Black History Month and highlights the accomplishments of an African American within the health care field. All profiles will be included in a historical timeline, which will be displayed in Stearns Auditorium on Friday, February 16.
Black History Month Spotlight
Born a slave in Georgia in 1848, Susie Baker, who later became known as Susie King Taylor, was the first African American U.S. Army nurse. She served during the Civil War.
King was part of a newly formed regiment of black soldiers organized at Port Royal Island off the South Carolina coast by Major General David Hunter, commander of the Union’s Department of the South.
After the war, she moved to Savannah, Georgia, where she opened a private school for black children. Shortly after her husband died, King headed north to Boston. Remarried to Russell Taylor, she dedicated much of her later life to the Woman’s Relief Corps, a national organization for female Civil War veterans.
Reminder: On Friday, February 9, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., the film “Building on a Firm Foundation” will be shown in the Stearns Auditorium in honor of Black History Month. The film is 15 minutes in length and will be shown continuously from 11 a.m. to 2 pm.