Baystate Health

“I was born, raised, and have lived in western Massachusetts for most of my life. I hold an Associate Degree in Business Management and was pursuing a bachelor’s degree in marketing when I realized it was not the correct path for me. I changed direction and earned my Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Elms College in 2014. The entirety of my nursing career has been in care coordination. I have been in my current role since 2023. In the current climate of healthcare, nurse navigators are an incredibly valuable resource for patients who are experiencing illness, especially in circumstances where there is a longer timeline/continuum for their treatment and management of disease. The navigators in our office function as a hybridization of care coordination and direct-care nursing, while being the point of contact for the patient as they undergo treatment of their breast cancer. Each surgeon has their own, dedicated navigator, and we meet patients immediately after their initial consultation with our surgeon to provide resources and reinforce their treatment plan (whether that is for surgery as soon as possible - in which case we would include picking their surgical date, and reviewing pre/post-operative instructions, or discussing the sequence of events if the patient is to undergo neoadjuvant chemotherapy to hopefully reduce the size of their tumor(s) to increase the success rate of achieving negative margins during surgery and reduce the amount of tissue that needs to be removed). We also work closely with plastic surgery to ensure patients who are seeking reconstructive options are seen quickly for consultation. Part of our job is to connect them to resources, support groups, social supports, and our office has a social worker who we can refer patients to as well. The navigators follow along as the patient gets ready for surgery, making sure that associated imaging, procedures, testing, and consultations are completed. Our surgeons meet with their navigator and surgical scheduler once/week to review each patient awaiting surgery to ensure everything is on track. After surgery, the navigators ensure the patient has proper follow ups with other specialties as indicated: medical oncology, radiation oncology, etc. as well as checking in with each patient during their recovery to ensure they are not experiencing complications. We see patients for in-office nursing visits as needed to provide drain care and minor wound care post-operatively. I think the most important thing we can do for patients facing breast cancer is to give them the tools they need to fight, and to empower them to make the decisions that are right for them. My patients amaze me every day with their resilience and determination. I feel lucky to be in their corner and to work with such an incredible team!" Molly Porter, BSN, RN - Nurse Navigator #MyBaystateStory

"I have always been drawn to the medical field. I’ve been a nurse for six years. After working five years in labor and delivery, I joined the Baystate Wing Hospital Emergency Department team. It has been a year now, and switching to the ED was a huge change, but I enjoy learning something new every day. Beginning at a young age, I enjoyed working with animals and learning all the medical care that goes along with taking care of them. I attended a vocational high school and was in the agricultural department. I obtained my bachelor's degree from UMass Amherst in Natural Resource Conservation with a focus on Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. I worked for serval years in that field as an environmental consultant. I also worked as an equine veterinary technician. This is when I decided to become a nurse. I enrolled in an accelerated nursing program, and here I am today! My favorite thing about working in the BWH Emergency Department is the people and the teamwork experience. My colleagues are so helpful, kind, and willing to jump in when anyone needs assistance or has questions. It's been a great experience for me to learn from so many incredible nurses and team members. My position in the ED allows me to fulfill my most important job of all, and that is being a mom to my three small children. I work, 7 p.m. to 3 a.m., a shift that allows me to be with my children as much as possible. I have always been drawn to helping people and animals, and I tend to run toward situations to help in any way I can. Recently, when off duty, I stopped to help at a very serious car accident. I was surprised, and it felt strange when so many people recognized my efforts. For me, it was a natural and automatic response to helping someone in need, and I did what needed to be done. I enjoy working in the Baystate Wing Hospital community, and I am thankful for everyone I meet along the way. I am truly grateful that I joined such a great team." -Alani Iannoli, RN, Emergency Department, Baystate Wing Hospital

This week we celebrate National Health Care Supply Chain Week, a time to recognize the crucial role healthcare supply chains play in maintaining the well-being of our health care systems. This week and always we proudly celebrate the hard work and dedication of our own valued Supply Chain team members. Your contributions make a difference!

Join us for the 11th Annual Western New England Acute Cardiology Conference! This comprehensive conference brings together healthcare professionals across disciplines to enhance cardiovascular care. Explore the latest research, innovative treatment protocols, and collaborative strategies for managing acute cardiology cases. Our key learning objectives will be: - Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) management - Post-cardiac event care - Cardiogenic shock evaluation - Cardiovascular care for diverse populations This session is designed for cardiologists, hospitalists, primary care physicians, physician assistants, pharmacists, emergency medicine physicians, EMTs, paramedics, nurse practitioners, nurses, and cardiovascular technologists. 🗓️ Date: Thursday, October 10, 2024 🕗 Time: 8:00 AM - 4:15 PM 📍 Location: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Springfield, MA Let’s work together to advance patient care and outcomes! Register today: bit.ly/3zPPO8e

Last week, we were honored to join Ronald McDonald House Charities of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts in unveiling the newest program at Baystate Children’s Hospital—the Ronald McDonald Family Room! This special space now provides families of children receiving care a comforting space to rest, reflect, and recharge. The Ronald McDonald Family Room is designed as a welcoming sanctuary for parents just steps away from their child’s bedside. It offers a quiet place to find comfort and amenities, allowing families to stay close to their child and actively engage in their healthcare journey. The room provides seating, a kitchen area with beverages and snacks, access to the internet and device charging stations. We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone involved in bringing this program to life, especially our partners at RMHC CTMA, H|AI Architecture, Raymond R. Houle Construction and Kerry Blumberg. Your dedication has made this room a reality, and it will offer invaluable support to families during their most challenging moments.

2024 Rays of Hope Walk & Run Toward the Cure of Breast Cancer We are just 22 days away from the Walk & Run Toward the Cure of Breast Cancer! Register today, start fundraising and get your pink ready for the Walk & Run on October 27th. 👟Run Toward the Cure will start at 8:30am 💗SURVIVOR PHOTO at 9:45am 👟Walk steps off at 10:30am We will have a morning full of fun activities so be sure to get there early! Register through the link in our bio and be sure to mark yourself as going on our Facebook Event to stay up to date on the newest information! #ROH2024 #peacelovecure Register Now! https://lnkd.in/erm-g8_q 💗

"My name is Megan Elterman and I am a Nurse Practitioner that works at the Baystate Breast and Wellness Center in the Surgical Oncology Department. I was a Registered Nurse in Oncology for 15 years prior to my current position. I worked in the inpatient hospital setting in Boston and Hartford before I came to Baystate and decided to continue my education as a Family Nurse Practitioner. I have been at the Breast and Wellness center as an NP for 5 years now. My inspiration for becoming a nurse started off very basic- I wanted to help people. My mother and grandmother were nurses, so it seemed like the natural career path at the time. However, my reasons have changed over the years. I love what I do because I love connecting with people. I love educating my patients and being by their sides helping them through some of their most vulnerable moments in life. This is one of my greatest purposes in life. Working at the Breast Center has become one of my most rewarding positions in my career thus far. Breast health is a very anxiety provoking topic for many women and to be able to be there for my patients both clinically and emotionally during a difficult time to help guide them through is a gift. I love having a patient-provider collaborative approach to care and really listen to a person regarding their goals of care. I see an array of women and men of all ages for various breast concerns. I help to diagnose breast cancer or rule out breast cancer as well as treat/follow many benign breast problems. The most common breast problems include: breast lumps, nipple discharge, breast skin changes, breast infections, and abnormal breast imaging. I provide work up with imaging, order image guided biopsy and provide in office biopsy when indicated. I see post operative patients after undergoing lumpectomy or mastectomy or complications that may occur associated with surgery. I also support the survivorship program and follow women and men who have a history of early-stage breast cancer. I am grateful for the work that we all do here at the Breast Center and within our community. Our biggest annual event is the Rays of Hope walk every October for Breast Cancer Awareness month. Also given it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month make sure to get your screening mammogram annually starting at age 40! (Some high-risk women may qualify earlier) Also if you notice any new breast concerns bring it to the attention of your provider!" #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth #MyBaystateStory

Together, we rise in strength, courage, and hope this Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Join Baystate Health for our Breast and Wellness Series! Empower yourself with knowledge and take charge of your breast health. 💗 Sign Up Here: https://bit.ly/4eOc2GH

Congratulations to Dr. Raquel Belforti, Associate Professor of Medicine, and Dr. Elizabeth Eagleson, Assistant Professor of Medicine, who were the recipients of the two 2024 The Baystate Women in Medicine & Science (BWIMS) Impact Awards. BWIMS recently held their annual Impact Award Ceremony at the Delaney House in Holyoke. The awards honor faculty and medical staff members who identify as women and have demonstrated excellence in institutional service, healthcare delivery, education, and/or research. Susan Hingle, MD, FRCP, MACP, Associate Dean for Human and Organizational Potential, and Director of Faculty Development at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and president of the American Medical Women's Association, presented “Building an Inclusive Environment of Caring and Engagement So We Can Grow, Thrive, and Succeed,” to a full room of clinicians, administrators, and senior leadership. BWIMS serves physicians, faculty, advanced clinical providers, and scientists who identify as women at Baystate Health. We are an institutional resource that promotes policies, practices, and programs that support women’s organizational advancement.

Faculty Spotlight on Elizabeth Peacock-Chambers, MD, MSc Dr. Peacock-Chambers was recently awarded a $3.3 million, five-year R01 grant from the National Institutes on Drug Abuse (NIDA) for a Type II Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Trial of “Mothering from the Inside Out.” The trial aims to test the implementation of an intervention for mothers with substance use disorders under real-world conditions. Read more: bit.ly/46LH13m