MGHHOTLINEA PUBLICATION FOR EMPLOYEES AND STAFF OF THE MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL1

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AAs the director of the emergency medical transport group Boston MedFlight, Suzanne Wedel, MD, is a critical care doctor who often is asked to provide an immediate diagnosis. Now Wedel is fighting for the possibility of an early diagnosis for tens of thousands of women like her, with ovarian cancer.

Three years ago her symptoms were vague – bloating and a pain in her shoulder. It took her concerned husband (she is married to Alasdair Conn, MD, chief emeritus of Emergency Medicine at the MGH), a persistent primary care physician and a series of tests and scans before Wedel was diagnosed with metastatic ovarian cancer. She currently is a participant in an MGH research trial and wants to help

fight the disease that is known as “the silent killer.” “Every patient needs an advocate,” says Wedel. “Ovarian cancer gets

no attention, it gets limited funding, it affects women in the prime of their life. There are no easy ways to find out if you have ovarian cancer or even do surveillance for it.”

A fundraiser was held Oct. 7 at the Eastern Yacht Club in Marblehead to benefit the Suzanne Wedel XOXOut Ovarian Cancer Fund, named because Wedel often signs personal emails “xoxo – skw.” More than $75,000 has already been raised to support critical research at the MGH.

At the fundraiser, Wedel and her MGH doctors, Marcela del Carmen, MD, (Continued on page 2)

CARING FOR A FRIEND: Members of The Suzanne Wedel XOXOut Ovarian Cancer Committee, established to fund ovarian cancer research.

When the doctor becomes the patient

A SUPERSTAR SURPRISE: On Oct. 13, Scott Chandler, Darius Fleming and Rufus Johnson of the New England Patriots paid a surprise visit to the Yawkey 9 Infusion Unit in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The players greeted dozens of patients and surprised five lucky ladies with tickets to the Patriots Day of Pampering on Oct. 19 – a program designed for those undergoing treatment for breast cancer. The daylong event featured a healthy breakfast and lunch as well as yoga and spa treatments. Here, Liz Chambers of Harvard, Massachusetts, accepts her ticket package from Chandler, Fleming and Johnson.

Pampered by the Patriots

10.30.15

— XOXOut Ovarian Cancer Fund(Continued from page 1)

and Michael Birrer, MD, PhD, thanked the more than 100 donors for their support in providing resources specifically to develop a tool for the early detection of ovarian cancer. Eighty-five percent of women first diagnosed are already in the late stages of ovarian cancer. Even then, studies show that more than half of the patients do not receive the most effective treatment of abdominal chemotherapy. Birrer and del Carmen are optimistic that those statistics will change, promising that researchers are on the forefront of breakthrough developments in treatment for the disease.

Wedel’s message in the evening’s program book thanked her new advocates: “Through your generous support, we will wage war on this dreadful disease and we will bring hope to the cause. We do this for our daughters and for our granddaughters, and we will make a difference. xoxo – skw.” n

Showcasing the MGH Museum at the State Housethe PAul s. russell, Md Museum of Medical History and Innovation was one of 28 institutions from across the state to exhibit in the Massachusetts State House’s Great Hall as part of Massachusetts Museums Day.

Organized by the New England Museum Association, the Oct. 7 event aimed to advocate for legislators’ support of museums and to educate lawmakers and other State House visitors about local museums’ offerings. Senate President Stanley Rosenberg and State Sen. Eric Lesser read Gov. Charles Baker’s proclamation for the day, which noted the role of museums in preserving and sharing the state’s scientific and cultural heritage.

“You could feel the enthusiasm on the part of the legislators,” says Sarah Alger, Russell Museum director. “It was a terrific opportunity for us to tell government staff and fellow museum professionals about the medical innovation we showcase.”

In November, the museum will feature an exhibit on the 10th anniversary of Proto, an MGH-sponsored magazine about the latest issues and big ideas in medicine. On Nov. 3 at noon, Proto will co-sponsor a panel discussion about the end of life, including Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Ellen Goodman; Julia Gallagher, MD, of MGH Palliative Care; and Proto writer Cathryn Delude. On Nov. 12 at 6 pm, the museum will co-sponsor a lecture with the Nichols House Museum about turn-of-the-century MGH physician Arthur Nichols, MD.

To register for a lecture or to sign up for the Russell Museum’s email list, email mghhistory@partners.org. n

Ecker named new chief of Obstetrics and GynecologyJeffrey ecker, Md, director of Obstetrical Clinical Research and Quality Assurance, has been named chief of the MGH Vincent Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, effective Dec. 1.

Ecker has been an integral part of the department for the past 18 years. He has committed much of his career to understanding and optimizing pregnancy outcomes, often

as part of collaborative research efforts, and studying metabolic complications of pregnancy such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. Ecker also has examined experiences and outcomes of pregnancies among women with disabilities.

“I am honored to have been asked to serve as the chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the MGH,” says Ecker. “When I first

arrived at our hospital 28 years ago as a medical student for a gynecology rotation, I had much to learn. This department and institution have taught me much and have remained at the center of my professional life nearly every moment since.”

After graduating from Princeton University and Harvard Medical School, Ecker entered residency training in OB/GYN as part of the MGH/Brigham and Women’s Hospital combined program. At the time of his residency, the only deliveries at MGH were patients who presented to the Emergency Department in advanced labor, so the MGH portion of the program instead focused on gynecologic care and surgery. He later trained at the University of California, San Francisco where he completed fellowships in maternal fetal medicine and obstetric ultrasound.

Ecker is a founding member of the Massachusetts Perinatal Quality Collaborative and is past president of the Obstetric Society of Boston. He currently serves as chair of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Committee on Obstetric Practice and is a member of both the Publication Committee of the Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine and the Obstetric Expert Panel for Leapfrog, a national quality measurement consortium. He also founded and has continued to serve as associate director of the MGH fellowship in Material Fetal Medicine.

Ecker succeeds Isaac Schiff, MD, who will remain active in the department, continuing to see patients and serving as a mentor.

“It is special to be asked to give back to a place and group of colleagues that have given me so much,” says Ecker. “My job as I see it going forward is to do all I can to help all in our department and at our hospital in our collaborative efforts to lead in the medicine, science and teaching of women’s health.”

A STATELY EXHIBITION: Alger talks with fellow exhibitors at the MGH booth showcasing the Russell Museum.

ECkER

MGHHOTLINEon oct. 7 And 8, Jason Comander, MD, PhD, and Leo Kim, MD, PhD, of the MGH and Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, participated in the Alliance for Eye and Vision Research (AEVR) Emerging Vision Scientists Program. This initiative enables scientists to meet with members of Congress to discuss the importance of vision research in the continuing fight to prevent blindness. 

Comander met with Rep. Joe Kennedy III, and Kim met with a congressional staffer for Rep. Michael E. Capuano, and both met with staff for Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey. In their discussions, they reaffirmed the importance of funding for National Institutes of Health (NIH)/National Eye Institute.

“It was a special moment to meet Rep. Joe Kennedy,” says Comander. “In our conversation, he was thoughtful and practical, suggesting ways we could work together to achieve our common goal of robust, sustainable and predictable funding for the NIH. The congressional office was very welcoming to our ideas.”

This program also allowed them to make invaluable connections with AEVR staff and with other emerging scientists from across the country. n

A visit to Congress for two emerging scientists

2016 benefits open enrollmentoPen enrollMent for 2016 employee benefits will take place from Nov. 2-24. Open enrollment is the only time of the year when MGH and MGPO employees can enroll in or change their benefits – other than retirement benefits – unless they experience a qualified life event. Open enrollment materials are available on the MGH Benefits home page, and employees can enroll using PeopleSoft benefits. Changes are effective Jan. 1.

New this year: If staff enroll in a 2016 Health Care or Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA), they can use an FSA debit card to pay for qualifying expenses and submit documentation via a mobile app from our new FSA vendor, Benefit Strategies. See the insert in the open enrollment packet for details.

For questions about benefits, call the Benefits Office at 617-726-8133 or email ibenefits@partners.org. Monthly paid professional staff (MDs and PhDs) can contact the Professional Staff Benefits Office at 617-726-9267 or email prostaffbene@partners.org.

CONGRESSIONAL CHATS: Comander, above at right with Rep. Kennedy III, and Kim, below at right, with a congressional staffer

GOODIES GALORE: Glitter, goodies, and get-ups made for an exciting Halloween at MassGeneral Hospital for Children. On Oct. 29, Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Clinic and Proton Therapy Center patients and their siblings spent the afternoon participating in the annual Trick or Treat Halloween Parade through the Yawkey Center for Outpatient Care. Here Liam Stark, 2, Callie Zedower, 5, and Caden Zedower, 3, enjoy a stop along the route.

Happy Halloween!

editor: Colleen Marshall Delaney • 617-726-0275 • assistant editor: Colleen Keilty • 617-724-2753

email: Hotline@partners.org • mail: Public Affairs Office • 125 Nashua Street, Suite 220 • Boston, MA 02114

MGH Hotline is printed on recycled paper and published weekly by the MGH Public Affairs Office.

MGHHOTLINE10.30.15

JoAn nelson, born partially blind, works full time at the State Library in Concord, New Hampshire. One day in February while eating lunch, she passed out with no warning, and her co-workers called 911. From the local hospital, she was immediately airlifted to the MGH to treat a ruptured brain aneurysm.

Because any procedure near Nelson’s optic nerve could cause further loss of vision, James D. Rabinov, MD, interventional neuroradiologist, took a minimally invasive approach, with a catheter inserted in the groin to close the aneurysm with platinum coils. At 11 pm the same day, Rabinov called Joan’s husband Steve to report that the procedure was a success.

During her initial 10 days in the Intensive Care Unit, Nelson underwent additional procedures to prevent vasospasm-related stroke. She then began intensive physical and cognitive therapy to re-learn how to walk and perform other tasks. “It was like trying to put your brain back together again,” she recalls. She remembers not being able to run her computer or say Massachusetts General Hospital.

“I just took one day at a time and fought with everything I had,” she says. “Then it all started coming back, like the brain healed.”

In addition to Rabinov, Nelson received care from Aman B. Patel, MD, from Neurosurgery, Thabele M. Leslie-Mazwi, MD, from Neurology, and Joshua A. Hirsch, MD, from Interventional Neuroradiology.

“The team at the MGH is just outstanding,” Nelson says. “I just can’t say enough about their strength, kindness, dedication and the work they did. They not only took care of me, but also Steve and my

guide dog William. They were unbelievable.”Within two months, Nelson was back at the library, where she

continues to help meet the reading needs of blind people through a talking books program. “That is the beauty of the doctors at the MGH – they considered my quality of life. I might lose my vision someday, but we aren’t taking that chance now. I have a full-time job, I love my work and I’m all the way back.” n

Patient thrives after a ruptured aneurysm

PINS FOR PAS: During October’s Physician Assistant (PA) Recognition Week, the MGH honored its PAs with an evening reception at the Paul S. Russell, MD Museum of Medical History and Innovation. PAs work in several departments throughout the hospital and perform a comprehensive range of medical duties. On this occasion, the newest PAs were presented with a pin worn by all PAs at the hospital. Accepting her pin from Brit Nicholson, MD, senior vice president and chief medical officer, is Hayley Chestnut, PA-C, who began working in the Cardiac Surgery program in September.

ALL THE WAY BACk: Aneurysm patient Joan Nelson, right, with Rabinov and her husband Steve

A warm welcome