UMass Memorial Medical Center

Dr. Kavita Babu's Executive Leadership in Health Care (ELH) project was a pilot medical respite bed program, which has since been launched by UMass Memorial Health, offering transitional support for people no longer needing hospital care but needing further assistance in their recovery.

We are elated for Dr. Erik Garcia, a compassionate and dedicated physician at UMass Memorial Medical Center, who will be recieving a 2024 National Compassionate Caregivers of the Year® Award from The Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare.

Congratulations to Sara Lyon, RN, Nurse Navigator in the Palliative Care Department, who was recently presented with the DAISY Award! Sara was nominated by an advanced practice provider, who said, "Sara Lyon embodies the essence of compassion and dedication in her role. Her commitment to her patients goes beyond medical care; it extends to ensuring their comfort and well-being in every possible way." Her colleague shared an example of Sara's unwavering dedication and resourcefulness in a crisis, recalling her response when she learned that a patient who relies on an electric-powered ventilator to breathe had lost the electricity in his home. "When Sara learned of the situation, she immediately sprang into action," the nominator said. "Aware of the urgency posed by the failing ventilator battery, she coordinated with local fire rescue teams and the electric company to expedite the restoration of power to his residence. Time was of the essence, and Sara worked tirelessly, navigating hurdles and mobilizing resources with remarkable efficiency." Sara's colleague noted that Sara's care is a "testament to the profound impact of human connection and empathy in health care." He said, "As a Palliative Care Nurse Navigator, Sara exemplifies the crucial role of advocating for patients' needs beyond medical treatment, ensuring dignity, comfort and peace during life's most challenging moments. Her actions reflect the best of nursing – compassionate, proactive, and deeply committed to improving the quality of life for those in her care. Sara's dedication serves as an inspiring example to all, reminding us of the transformative power of kindness and advocacy in health care." The DAISY Foundation rewards and celebrates the extraordinary clinical skill and compassionate care our nurses provide every day. Nominate a nurse today: https://bit.ly/DAISY-Award

Congratulations to Justin Precourt, new president of UMass Memorial Medical Center. Justin has done an outstanding job serving at Interim President since last July and we are excited for the future under his leadership.

Are you a UMass Memorial Medical Center caregiver ready to share insight and feedback about your positive work experience with us? We'd love to hear from you and inspire others to join the family here at UMass Memorial Health!

This week is Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) Week at UMass Memorial Medical Center. It's an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments and achievements of our PFACs and highlights the important role they play in enhancing quality, safety, and the patient/family experience. Meet Will Erickson, who works in our SHARE/UMMH Labor Management Partnership Office as a Continuous Improvement Coach! "My first contact with the PFAC was almost a decade ago," he said. "That patient’s feedback on our scheduling processes was invaluable, and I’ll never forget this elderly gentleman telling the young schedulers on the team how much their work mattered to him." That's what pushed Will to join the PFAC five years ago, and enable more of that kind of collaboration, with that sense of shared mission and solidarity. Will can often be seen checking in with patients to see how we are doing taking care of them. "I’m in one of those non-patient facing background jobs, and my role is to help make it easier for the frontline to take great care of our patients." WIll describes these patient conversations as "fuel in his tank" so he can truly continue to be the voice of patients to make more differences each day. What's the best feeling in the world? Will says the fact that he can make cool changes happen in a life and community... "because it’s what we want our caregivers to feel and it's enormously therapeutic for our patients, too." By working to help improve the patient/family experience, Will is able to have a deep impact on those who have been through difficult and even traumatic experiences, and instead of just feeling like victims they’ve responded by partnering with people like him to make the system work better for themselves and others. "I feel like I’m honoring the experience they’ve had, and I’m playing a small role in helping them heal." Learn more about the PFAC at UMass Memorial here: https://bit.ly/3Aerv44

October 27 is World Occupational Therapy Day — and today we're hearing from caregiver Kristen Schuler Weisberg OTR/L, an Occupational Therapy Supervisor at our Psychiatric Treatment & Recovery Center (PTRC) at UMass Memorial Medical Center. "I’d like to spend a moment telling you about the Occupational Therapy Department at PTRC, or as I like to call them, my rOcksTars! This all-star group is the epitome of what it means to be dedicated mental health providers and true team players. These remarkable caregivers go above and beyond to make UMass Memorial Health the best place for giving and receiving care. Each day, in our 26-bed acute adult mental health unit, we craft a dynamic schedule of evidence-based group treatment opportunities tailored to a wide range of needs. We have one overarching goal. We aim to deliver individualized, holistic, and functional therapeutic interventions to support each person on their mental health journey. Our Occupational Therapy Department is always working on a new improvement project. Recently, we brought fresh life to the Fresh Air Space at Queen St., thanks to a UMass Memorial-funded grant caregiver Emily Dewhurst secured. We partnered with an artist, who is in recovery themselves, to create an inspiring mural and a giant mandala for chalk art. This has been installed alongside a native garden and an affirmation hopscotch for multisensory experiences. You can find us proudly showcased in the Celebration Gallery as Innovation Fund Grant winners! Lastly, our department continues to thrive on dedication, innovation, and team spirit to make a real impact for our patients and colleagues. With each project and every interaction, we’re driven to create a supportive, encouraging environment. We look forward to continuing this journey and setting the standard for exceptional care and compassion at UMass Memorial!" #WorldOccupationalTherapyDay #OccupationalTherapists Artists: @the_backstah & @Swerve142 on Instagram

For 40 years, UMass Memorial Medical Center Mammography Technologist, Lisa Towle, has been part of our family — compassionately supporting patients through the ups and downs of their cancer journeys... every step of the way. Thank you Lisa, for your dedication to UMass Memorial Health, but above all, for being such a rock to our patients here. #NowAndThen #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth

ICYMI: The new North Pavilion at UMass Memorial Medical Center University Campus will offer 72 additional patient beds and is scheduled to open in early 2025. Here's your inside look now with MassLive Media Group.

Incredible news surrounding our UMass Memorial Medical Center Doula Program and such a great update from Dr. Tiffany Moore Simas!