Welcome Ben and Ned! Vo l u n t e e r N e i g h b o r h o o d N e w s. Fall 2016

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1 Vo l u n t e e r N e i g h b o r h o o d N e w s Welcome Ben and Ned! by Jessica McCannon, MD, former physician with MGH Down syndrome program and Helen Weiner, LICSW, Advocacy Advisor MGH Down Syndrome Program The connection between the MGH Down Syndrome Program and MGH Volunteer Services began as a dream about seeing adults with Down syndrome walking in the MGH corridors proudly wearing the pink volunteer jackets so long synonymous with making a difference in the lives of patients and families and the MGH community. The story first started when we (Jess McCannon MD and Helen Weiner LICSW) came together to champion the potential of adults with disabilities within the MGH Community. We then met with Wayne Newell in 2015, the former director of MGH Volunteer Services, who immediately shared our vision of welcoming people with disabilities to contribute meaningfully and visibly in the hospital. Even though he was weeks from his retirement, he committed to sharing Ben Majewski and Janene Davis Fall 2016 Inside this issue: Stay Connected to Your Home Team We Need You 3 Reminders 3 Upcoming Events 4 FY 2016 Program Highlights 5 Contact us 6 3 Ned Reichenbach (left) and Joe Fuchs support of these efforts with the new director, Jacqueline Nolan. Jackie jumped right on board in the exuberance of our vision and understood from the start the great potential of this work. Jackie has worked tirelessly to make this opportunity a reality and a raging success, and has been incredibly accommodating to meet the specific needs of individuals with Down syndrome, from establishing new systems for sign-ups and registration, to helping prepare candidates for their interviews in advance, to pairing each new candidate with a seasoned volunteer. Helen Weiner LICSW, the new advocacy advisor for the MGH Down Syndrome Program, was present

2 Page 2 Welcome Ben and Ned! (cont d) during the interviews and the first several volunteer sessions, ensuring that everyone recognizes these volunteers needs and potential. Ben Majewski, seen in the top photo on page one, proudly wearing his pink jacket, along with seasoned volunteer, Janene Davis brings the book cart to patients every Wednesday morning. Janene is a remarkable mentor to Ben, has been his staunch supporter learning the ropes and has noted that patients light up when Ben walks into the room. Ben s parents Andrew and Lisa have noted that working at MGH has enriched Ben s life in so many ways and Ben acknowledges how proud he is to be part of the volunteer staff, particularly about giving back to MGH which he is quick to inform everyone is number one. The identity that this gives to Ben is deeply important to Ben and his family. Another young adult, Ned Reichenbach started on October 17 th. Ned chose to be on book cart duty as well, and his mentor is Joe Fuchs, also a seasoned MGH volunteer. This opportunity also means a great deal to Ned and his parents. Ned brings a wonderful sense of humor, an ease with people, and a determination and dedication to his volunteer position. We are impressed by how well he advocates not only for himself but for all adults with Down syndrome. (bottom photo on page 1) Our MGH family is enriched through the volunteer efforts of both Ned and Ben. In the next few months Jackie will extend an opportunity to yet another adult with Down syndrome, equally eager to show MGH and the world how much he has to offer. Jackie has continued to champion this work and is open and excited about new opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities. In the future, we hope that our volunteers might be part of the MGH Friendly Visitor program of the Volunteer Department, continuing to share their heartfelt enthusiasm with patients in need of additional support and encouragement. We are looking for units with the staff and patients that would be the perfect match. Jackie Nolan s commitment has validated the vision of full potential and all that is possible for someone who has an intellectual disability. Her ability to understand the need for special accommodations for adults with Down syndrome has been astounding. She has recognized that this is also an important opportunity for her volunteer staff. The MGH Down Syndrome Program will be forever grateful to Jackie Nolan and her army of volunteers for making this dream come true. To learn more about the MGH Down Syndrome Program, which integrates state-of-the-art resources with compassionate, comprehensive care through a multi-disciplinary approach, please visit our website: To quote from the MGH Down Syndrome Program Vision Statement: Our passion is to provide healthcare, research, and education that contribute to a world in which all people with Down syndrome are accepted, celebrated and have the opportunity to fully realize their potential. Our collaboration with the MGH Volunteer Department is playing a part in making our Vision Statement a reality!

3 Page 3 Stay Connected to Your Home Team Sometimes it may feel like you are alone, especially for those volunteers who are in isolated locations around the hospital. You are not! You have an excellent team and resources in the Volunteer Office available to support you. If you ever experience a situation that makes you feel uncomfortable, unsafe, and/or unpleasant, please report this immediately to one of the Volunteer Office staff. We are here to help you. If you have suggestions/concerns you would like to share about the location where you volunteer please us at mghvolunteer@partners.org. We Need You! Volunteer Opportunities The Volunteer Office desperately needs volunteers for Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings from 8:30am-1:00pm; Monday and Tuesday afternoons from 1:00-5:00pm,; Tuesday and Friday evenings from 4:30-7:00 pm. This area requires a minimum commitment of 6 months or more. Reminder that on Tuesdays and Thursdays we have Pet Therapy day. Patient Escort needs you!! We are in desperate need of volunteers during the day shifts. We are looking for volunteers for Tuesdays and Wednesdays 12:00-3:00 pm, 2:00-5:00 pm and 3:00-6:00pm. WE also need volunteers very day 6:00 am 9:00 am if you are an early bird. Please let us know if you can do additional shifts We cannot do this without you Reminders TB Tests and Patient Safety: Getting your annual TB test is essential to our patients safety. Therefore it is very important to get your TB test done annually. We provide 30 days, 15 days and 5 days notice prior to the expiration of your TB test. If you do not get the TB test results to us within the 30 days time frame you will be suspended from your volunteer role and risk losing your shift. Absences: We have noticed an increase in volunteers calling out for their shifts after the time they are scheduled to arrive to their shift. This does not reflect well on the Volunteer Department. The departments/units rely on you being here and it is only fair that you provide advance notice so they are prepared otherwise. Please take note that you will be suspended from your shift if this becomes a frequent occurrence.

4 Page 4 Upcoming Events Trick-or -Treat Parade for Children at MGH The Volunteer Department together with the Pediatrics Department will participate in the annual Trick-or Treat parade for the children at MGH. Monday, October 31st White Lobby Information Desk 11:30 am Pin Night: Celebrating You!! The night we celebrate and recognize you and the hours you have contributed to serving our patients and the hospital. Wednesday, December 7th, 2016 Paul S. Russell Museum 6:00-8:30 pm Strategic Thinking and Planning We are embarking on a journey to provide direction to and identification of areas of improvement for the Volunteer Department to better serve the patients and you. Please look out for opportunities to provide input through the focus groups and surveys.

5 Page 5 FY 2016 Program Highlights 4,668 Peri-operative Family Liaison (PFL) Family Encounters 9,938 Pet Therapy Visits 47,000 Book Cart Visits 48,900 Patient discharges THANK YOU! ~25,000 Families served in GFWA New Program Opportunities 1. Patient Reported Outcomes Measures (PROMs) In an effort to improve care quality and outcomes at Partners HealthCare, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are being collected as electronic surveys to customize and improve care monitoring, coordination, and delivery based on measurable patient feedback. PROMs is looking for volunteers to support survey collection in specialty clinics. Hours: Wednesdays and Thursdays 9:00 am - 2:00 pm. 2. Medical Interpreters Services (MIS). Looking for volunteers to round on newly admitted patients who are limited English proficient (LEP) or who are deaf and hard of hearing (DHH), to inform them of language services available to them in the hospital. Volunteers would distribute language cards and point-to-talk booklets to these patients with MIS contact information and to deliver a VPOP for use during the patient s stay (when available). Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00-12 or 10:00-1:00 pm. Please contact the Volunteer Department at if you are interested in volunteering with any of these new programs.

6 Page 6 MGH Volunteer Department 55 Fruit Street Gray/Bigelow Basement 015 Boston, MA Phone: Fax: mghvolunteers@partners.org Website: Volunteer Department Mission Statement: To provide support and compassionate service to patients, families, visitors and staff in a caring and respectful manner. WELCOME FALL!