Dear Colleagues, As we enter a new month, the Community Radiology landscape continues to evolve. Just five short weeks ago, we were planning Ambulatory expansion projects and projecting growth in overall volume for FY'21. A few short days later, we were preparing for a healthcare crisis bigger than all of us.   I knew this was a true crisis when I came home from work, and my two young children asked, 'What is this virus? Are we going to be okay?'. It was one of the first times in my life I was lost for words.

As I reflect back and with what I have observed, I can now confidently answer my kids that we are going to be okay and we will understand more about the virus soon. However, I can tell you we are fortunate to be surrounded by family, friends, and frontline responders that are doing an incredible job helping us conquer this virus.  I have been privileged to lead this Community Radiology Team and to observe our accomplishments. We have successfully united in support of each other and to ensure our patients receive the highest level of care. What makes me most proud to be part of this team is everyone's willingness to be flexible, to step up and handle whatever has been presented, and to go beyond and volunteer for all new efforts. Some added efforts have included: covering the COVID testing tent, the Boston Hope project, the Respiratory clinic at Pembroke, and covering the entrances for the employee attestation process. We couldn't have asked for better support from our entire Community Radiology Team.   We look forward to overcoming this challenge and moving on to our recovery and implementation planning to meet all our patients' needs. Many of you have heard me say, "We've got this!" and I genuinely believe we do. Stay connected, stay healthy, and remember we are all in this together!

Keri-Leigh Doiron Director, Community Radiology Department of Radiology  Brigham Health, kdoiron@bwh.harvard.edu brighamandwomens.org

Nutrition & Wellness

Hydration in the Time of PPE

Staying hydrated can be challenging under normal circumstances. Add to that several layers of PPE, and now you’re sweating more than usual, and taking a water break is a multi-step process. Here are some tips to help you stay hydrated during these long and challenging days:

Black Bean Brownies

Total Time: 15 minutes Yield:  9-12 brownies  Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups black beans (1 15-oz can, drained and rinsed very well)  2T cocoa powder  1/2 cup quick oats  1/4 tsp salt 1/3 cup pure maple syrup, honey, or agave  2T sugar  1/4 cup canola or vegetable oil  2 tsp pure vanilla extract 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2 cup to 2/3 cup chocolate chips (Not optional. Omit at your own risk.) Optional: more chips, for presentation   Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 F. Combine all ingredients except chips in a good food processor, and blend until completely smooth. Really blend well. (A blender can work if you absolutely must, but the texture—and even the taste—will be much better in a food processor. Stir in the chips, then pour into a greased 8×8 pan. Optional: sprinkle extra chocolate chips over the top. Cook the black bean brownies 15-18 minutes, then let cool at least 10 minutes before trying to cut. If they still look a bit undercooked, you can place them in the fridge overnight and they will magically firm up! Makes 9-12 brownies.  Source: Chocolate Covered Katie

"You would NEVER guess that there are beans in these brownies. Not only are they are they fudgy and delicious, the protein and fiber from the beans keeps you full for hours. Even better – this recipe requires minimal time and equipment." - Emily Blake, MS, RD, LDN

High Fives

Medical Imaging Informatics (M12)

What an interesting week it has been. Last weekend started with a picturesque April snow on Saturday followed by a beautiful, sunny, spring-like day– both so different but beautiful in their own way. It feels much like how the Medical Imaging Informatics (MI2) team is working these days. We are both remote and on-site. Each different, and each optimizing the team’s ability to meet the needs of those we serve in the most efficient and safest way possible. This past week, several members of the team were redeployed across BH IS to support new technologies and processes being implemented across many patient care areas (see below). Supporting our Chief Information and Digital Innovation Officer, Adam Landman, MD, in implementing new COVID-19 initiatives, many of our team stepped up to this call to action including,  Karen Lean, Tim Hughes, Jack Demers, Cynthia Centerbar, Mike Clyne, Dick Hanson, and Dana Marchello. Our incredible team helped implement:

"I also wanted to share something unexpected that took place last Friday. At the weekly Radiology Clinical Directors’ Meeting, many unsolicited remarks and high fives in recognition of the IS team were made and it brings me great joy to know that your hard work is recognized! Highlighting some of the significant team accomplishments, and recognized by leadership were the Analytics Team, CBA Team, ISD staff, Mike Clyne, Jamie Aiello, Jeff Corrigan, Jason Fontaine, Jack Demers, Patrick Zambito, David Bello, David Walker, Bart Toensing, Paula Harker, Allen Dufault, Kim Carter, Faith Rando, Jon Weiss and many others! Wow! Thank you all so much for all that you do, at all times, especially during this time." - Maria Damiano, Senior Manager, Medical Imaging Informatics

Kimberly Vanyo and Christina Eddy , Technologists working hard at Boston Hope!

Kimberly Vanyo and Patrick Curley at Boston Hope assisting with N95 Fit Testing.

Happy Administrative Professionals Day! The Department of Radiology would like to take a moment to say thank you to all of our Administrative Professionals. Now more than ever, your continued hard work and dedication to patient care, research, and education plays a critical role in the success of Brigham Health and the Department of Radiology. With many of us working in unfamiliar roles and circumstances, we want you to know your flexibility and commitment is appreciated and valued. While we are likely to face challenges and changes ahead, we are certain that the compassion and resilience you all display daily will not fade. As soon as we can, a proper celebration will be held to express our gratitude for your hard work.

Diagnostic Team

The Diagnostic Radiology team has taken together the changes and challenges associated with COVID-19 head-on! From the moment we needed our Leads to train themselves and others on PPE donning/doffing, to our Practice Assistants/Medical Assistants without complaint finding themselves out of their comfort zone in different jobs across the hospital, to our techs understanding why rotation isolation/staying in one place had to be a thing, to N95s (to wear or not to wear? We WEAR!), to techs stepping up immediately to cover shifts at Boston Hope, to everyone for making whatever short notice ask through this crazy ridiculous thing happen every time, to managers flipping staffing schedules on the fly, to staff flipping their schedules on the fly, to everyone for just handling every uncertainty gracefully and using individual fears as positive team fuel. They have been there non-stop for our patients, and each other...they are doing their job! Frontline, every time! There is so much phenomenal strength that has risen to the occasion in this team.

Teamwork makes the dream work with Rebecca Sauter, Deirdre Watson, Vanessa Scott, Nora Malone, and Christina Constantino.

Thank you for your hard work John Carpenter, Patrick Moreau, Tom Coles, Charles Boswell, Emily Connell, Catherine Davis, Grace Xavier, Meghan Richard, Nayane Mota, and Danielle Maalouf!

"I am so honored to work with this talented Diagnostic Radiology team! We still have a lot ahead of us, but look at what we’ve accomplished up to this point! Best. Team. Ever. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Team, for your efforts, past, present, and future."    - Kristi Lutjelusche, Clinical Director, Diagnostic Radiology

Ellie Martinez, Julia Walsh, Colleen Ricketts , Kimberly Vanyo, and Angela Covington.

Technologists Jennifer Schiarizzi and Shannon Cahill.

Chris Murphy, Christina Eddy, Traci Calcinari, and Daniel Stanis.

Awilda Reca, Angela Covington, Ethel Marolda, and Abdu Yriberri  keeping spirits high through it all!

View More From Team X-Ray Here

Family Texting Due to  COVID-19  and Partners hospitals having to significantly limit the allowance of visitors onsite, we have received several requests to update a patient’s progress status during an  IR procedure  by sending a text message from Epic to a friend or family member(s). As part of the development in Epic, at a Partners Enterprise level, procedural areas will see new tools in their workspace that will support Friends and Family text messaging workflow. This was a collaboration between Radiology and Nursing and the program will start April 27, 2020.

Internal Resources

Brigham Health Gratitude Board The  Brigham Health Gratitude Board  captures shining moments and enables staff to recognize each other. Your stories remind us that we are stronger together. Take a moment to share your message of thanks, support and encouragement with your Brigham colleagues to read when they most need it.

Reflection Rooms Now Available Are you looking for a quiet moment alone? There are now three Reflection Rooms available for all employees to use. These Reflection Rooms are single-person rooms with comfortable seating, dim lighting and mindfulness resources, and they are intended to supplement existing spaces like Caritas rooms and the Chapel. Reflection rooms are located in  Mid-Campus (near the E elevator) , on  Braunwald Tower 4A  and on  Shapiro 3 . View a map of all locations  here .

We want to hear from you! How would you describe the Department of Radiology during this time? Please answer this 1 question survey . Are we missing something? Submit content for this weekly communication or provide us feedback here .