Hello! As we approach the end of the academic year, I would very much like to take a moment to shine a light on our Resident and Fellow Class of 2020, to honor their hard work and dedication over the past year(s). We have roughly 100 residents and fellows in our department, and graduate between 50 and 60 trainees each year. This year’s grads are a very special class and deserve more than a virtual celebration. I have spent my entire career, nearly 20 years, in medical education administration and have never seen a more apt translation of turning lemons into lemonade than I have in the past few months from our trainees. They have shouldered heavy burdens, and many asks, as they continue their education and academic pursuits during this pandemic. I am humbled to say that they have not shied away from obligations to their patients and colleagues- I have witnessed trainees taking on additional call or clinical assignments to cover for sick colleagues, asking to jump in to help create new virtual curricula, and taking the initiative to check-in on colleagues to ensure their mental and physical health and overall well-being remain intact. Not to mention all the trainees who have volunteered to be reassigned to other high-need clinical areas, to hand out PPE, or meet other clinical asks by the institution.

It has been my privilege and honor to work with each and every one of them, and I know that the entire department joins me in congratulating each on this huge milestone in their careers. In looking ahead, after graduation comes the onboarding of a new crop of trainees who begin in July! They have big shoes to fill, and they enter a brave new world of Radiology education as we reimagine the “new normal” for the foreseeable future. Orientation will need to be updated to include topics such as socially distancing standards in the reading rooms, donning and doffing of PPE and how to do virtual read-outs. Schedules and curricula will need to be adjusted and flexible to allow for continued virtual education and off-site reading.  Our team of Program Directors, Faculty Liaisons, Program Coordinators and Administrative Assistants has been quick to adapt educational content to virtual platforms and we continue to innovate and create outstanding educational opportunities within the current constraints in which our Department now faces. I could not be prouder of the work we are doing and will continue to do. I am thankful for every day that I have the opportunity to work with this incredible team. In closing, the residency leadership team often uses this phrase, and it really could not be more true: “Teamwork makes the Dream work.” #DreamTeam

Sandra Palma Program Manager, Medical Training Programs Department of Radiology  Brigham Health spalma2@bwh.harvard.edu brighamandwomens.org

Nutrition & Wellness

Summertime Produce

With warm weather upon us, the abundance of produce that summer brings is just around the corner.  Mainstays of a balanced diet, fruits and vegetables are chock full of the vitamins, minerals and fiber that are imperative to optimal bodily function. If you struggle to consume the recommended 5-9 servings of produce per day, read on for some easy ways to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet: As always, thank you for all that you do." -  Emily Blake, MS, RD, LDN

Easy Summer Smoothie

Smoothies make for an easy, balanced and refreshing meal or snack. Remember to include all three macronutrients (protein, carbohydrate, fat) to create a balanced meal/snack.

Servings: 1 Ingredients: 1 small banana ¾ cup frozen mixed berries* 2T peanut butter or flaxseed ½ cup non-fat plain Greek yogurt 1 cup water *If you use fresh produce, make sure to add a few ice cubes prior to blending   Instructions: Add all ingredients to blender. Blend and enjoy!

High Fives

Congratulations Class of 2020!

BWH Radiology Education hosted a zoom graduation for the class of 2020!  Top Row (L-R): Nityanand Miskin, MD Khanant Desai, MD Nandish Shah, MD Matthew Haber, MD Junzi Shi, MD Bottom Row (L-R): Leigh Casadaban, MD Ellen Sun, MD Sonia Sahu, MD Olga Laur, MD Cory Weiss, MD

BWH Radiology Education hosted “Zoom nights” so we could still "get together” and bond in the era of social distancing, including most recently with our matched applicants and incoming R1 residents!

"I would never have imagined living through a pandemic, but even less taking care of COVID-19 positive patients as a Radiology resident. I have learned a lot during this past week helping Hispanic/Latino patients at Boston Hope, but mostly I have enjoyed taking care of these patients alongside an incredibly dedicated team of physicians, nurses and other medical staff. My favorite part of the day is helping with the afternoon PT/dance class moving to the rhythm of classic tunes like “Feeling Hot Hot Hot” to some of my favorite Reggaeton songs. I love to see the joy and happiness this activity brings to the patients, even though they have been through a lot. Working at Boston Hope has truly been one of the most gratifying experiences I have had in my short medical career. I will never forget this experience. Thank you to all the Boston Hope family for their dedication, you are truly heroes!"  - Steven Morales-Rivera, MD

Three Radiology residents along with members of Brigham Radiology volunteered to distribute PPE.

"I felt extremely helpless watching the events unfold during the pandemic and wished to help in any way that I could in the fight against COVID. I was excited to learn that our colleagues in Internal Medicine were looking for volunteers for redeployment, and quickly signed up. It was an honor being able to help during a time of need and I will forever remember my experience. I truly enjoyed taking care of patients on the floor and being part of a team again. My experience was also sobering. While the patients on the floor were not as sick as those in the ICU or the COVID unit, it was heartbreaking to see how lonely patients were without family by their side during a vulnerable time. I know that together we will come out of this stronger, and I look forward to seeing the improvements that are implemented in patient care during the Recovery & Reimagining phase." - Colette Glaser, MD

Madhvi Deol, MD and Colette Glaser, MD

"It was a privilege to work alongside our medicine colleagues and to care for patients during this time of need. Though I felt rusty and somewhat nervous returning to the wards after two years, I was welcomed with open arms. The service was grateful for the extra help and quickly reoriented me to inpatient medicine. There was a true sense of camaraderie! Within a day or two, I became comfortable with the workflow and felt like a true member of the team. I cared for patients with issues ranging from substance abuse to babesiosis/EBV co-infection! I also served as the "consult radiologist" for our team and provided preliminary reads for various imaging studies. This experience provided a unique opportunity to integrate a patient's clinical presentation and imaging findings.  It was humbling to work with patients and so many incredible colleagues. This experience broadened my sense of community and served as a strong reminder for why we do what we do!" - Madhvi Deol, MD

Sydney Goode or SRG as she is affectionately referred to in CT is a relatively new addition to the department. Along with gaining accolades within the department from her coworkers and patients, she has tirelessly worked to secure donated lunches EVERYDAY this week! As benevolent as this endeavor was she had the foresight to request a donation large enough to share amongst all shifts. We are extremely grateful for her perseverance in making everyday a little better for the staff. Thank you Sydney!

Brenna Lapsley, Kevin Tavares, Sydney Goode, and Kristen Burke, some of our CT staff taking a well deserved break and enjoying food from Bartaco.

CT Technologist, Angela Salvucci was nominated by a patient to win the JetBlue Healthcare Heroes Sweepstakes for 2 roundtrip tickets and won! The patient said Angela was "very kind, great energy, and made the scan pleasant!"

The Department of Radiology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital is pleased to announce that Ron Kikinis, MD has been named as the second incumbent of the B Leonard Holman Professorship in Radiology at Harvard Medical School and BWH, effective March 2020. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Kikinis on this extraordinary recognition. Celebratory events are in the planning stages.

Who is Behind the Mask?

Who is Behind the Mask will feature a Radiology employee each week. Look out for our next edition to see who was behind the mask!

How long have you worked for Brigham Health? 10 years What location do you work at? Main Campus What do you love most about working for the Department of Radiology?   I have now worked for Diagnostic Radiology, Ambulatory/ER Radiology, and CT. I have met so many hardworking incredible people throughout Radiology who have trained me here as a student and inspired me in every aspect of my life throughout my career thus far.

What is on your bucket list? To travel to New Orleans to see where my partner grew up.

Fred Lewis was Behind the Mask!

Would you like to participate? All participants will be chosen at random and contacted before distribution.

Submit Request

Safe Care Promise

The health and safety of our patients, families and staff are our top priority, so we are taking a “no chances” approach to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We know that COVID-19 will be with us for the foreseeable future, so we’ve implemented numerous measures to provide the safest possible environment. Learn more about the Brigham  Safe Care Promise .

Internal Resources

Expanded Mental Health and Well-Being Resources New resources have been added to the  mental health and well-being  section of Partners Pulse, including expanded resiliency trainings for clinical staff, webinars from McLean and more. There are many ways this crisis might affect your mental health and emotional well-being. Learn more about the available support and resources at Brigham Health on PikeNotes .

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 .

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