in this issue...
BIDMC Celebrates
National Hispanic Heritage Month
September Honors Supplement
For Your Health: Ask Be Well!
In the News
Around BIDMC
Calendar

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BIDMC Names New
Chief of Orthopedics

Mark C. Gebhardt, M.D., the Frederick W. and Jane M. Ilfield Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Harvard Medical School and an internationally recognized leader in connective tissue sarcomas, has been named chief of the department of orthopedic surgery and orthopedic surgeon-in-chief at BIDMC. Gebhardt joins the medical center from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), where he served as co-director of the MGH Connective Tissue Oncology Center. He also holds a joint appointment with The Children’s Hospital, Boston, where he will continue to see patients on a part-time basis.

Gebhardt’s specific areas of focus for BIDMC’s orthopedic department include oncology, sports medicine and geriatric medicine. “My vision is to build a first-class orthopedic department with excellence and efficiency in patient care of adult orthopedic patients in an academically stimulating environment of teaching and research,” says Gebhardt, citing
BIDMC’s state-of-the-art facilities and world-class biomechanical lab. “I am excited, energized and committed to expanding this outstanding department clinically and making it one that residents want to train in.”

In addition to maintaining a clinical practice of adult oncology and pediatric patients, Gebhardt is an active teacher and researcher with a focus on molecular biological research and limb salvage reconstructions following tumor excisions.

Notes President and CEO Paul Levy, “Mark Gebhardt is a superb orthopedic surgeon, a committed and devoted teacher and a clinical scholar with a strong commitment to basic research. He is the right person to preside over our rebuilding of a full-service orthopedics department.”

A graduate of Bucknell University and the University of Cincinnati Medical School, Gebhardt began his career at the University of Pittsburgh. He was appointed to the MGH staff and to The Children’s Hospital, Boston in 1983. He has been active nationally in a number of professional organizations, including serving as a director of the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, vice-chairman of the Residency Review Committee of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and immediate past-president of the Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for Beth Israel Deaconess to build upon its stature as one of the finest institutions in the country,” says Joseph B. Martin, M.D., Ph.D., dean of Harvard Medical School. “I am also delighted that an internationally respected leader like Mark Gebhardt will remain in the Harvard system.”


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Published monthly for the people of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center to build community, communicate direction, foster pride and recognize accomplishments.

Produced by Beth Israel Deaconess communications, (66)7-7300

managing editor:
   Valerie Hope Goldstein
print layout & design:
   Jen McGrath
web layout & design:
   Jim Dwyer
contributing writers:
Peggy Egan, Lori Howley,
Jaclyn Tammaro
contributing photographers:
Oran Barber, Bruce Wahl



© BIDMC, Boston, MA, USA, 2003. All rights reserved. Material may be reproduced only with the express written consent of communications.

 

 

 














“How Grateful I am for Your Care”


Elizabeth Chaffee, RN, BSN, CC6

Whether it’s holding a patient’s hand when family members cannot be there, or forming a special caregiver-patient bond that spans decades, BIDMC’s staff are known for providing extra support when patients need it most. Here are just a few of the many letters patients and their families have written to say “thank you,” reprinted with their permission:

On June 28th, my older sister, Kathleen, was struck by a car as she crossed the street to attend Mass at St. Joseph’s in Needham. She was knocked out, suffered some head trauma and was transported here to BIDMC. Unfortunately, neither her mother, her seven brothers and sisters, or myself were within the state; a rare occurrence. I want to thank the nursing staff of CC6, especially Elizabeth Chaffee, [RN, BSN, pictured above] for taking such good care of my sister in our absence. The nurses of this institution have once again proven their reputation for professionalism and compassionate care. They made this traumatic experience for Kathy much more bearable and helped to ease our own feelings of guilt for not having been there for her. Kathy is doing fine, and she thanks her surrogate family here at Beth Israel Deaconess.

Sincerely, David C. Flanagan
Clinical Research Assistant,
Hematology/Bone Marrow Transplant


I was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor and was referred to Dr. Julian K. Wu, [chief of neurosurgery].
My first experience with Dr. Wu was an appointment with him for consultation. We came (my fiancé, Mike and I) with a long list of questions, intense anxiety and fear. Dr. Wu was extremely proficient and understanding. He answered the list of questions prior to me having a chance to ask them as he explained in detail his medical opinion, recommendations, my options and risks.

Dr. Wu managed to greatly diminish our fear and anxiety. I felt very comfortable and confident with Dr. Wu as a person and technically as a surgeon in the 40 minutes we spent with him. For me, these are significant character strengths as I was relying on Dr. Wu’s expertise to make an educated and confident decision on the course of treatment in a very short timeframe... After several days of trying to “sleep on it,” I decided to have surgery and contacted Dr. Wu.
I did not rest well the week prior to surgery as the thought of having “brain surgery” created an overload of adrenaline. By the time I arrived at BIDMC I was quite tired, somewhat anxious, looking forward to sleep but most of all, very confident with Dr. Wu.

The pre-op and nursing staff’s patient care and performance from the Recovery Room to the 5th floor of the Farr Building were exemplary!... They helped one very frightened woman feel very comfortable and well taken care of.
I am so grateful to Dr. Wu and all of the staff… If fate determines any additional procedures in the future, I will again place my faith in the surgeons, nurses and the entire staff at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

Karen L. Clark


[The following letter was written to a physician in general medicine/ Healthcare Associates]:

Dear Doctor,
I wanted to tell you how grateful I am for your care. You have made me most comfortable and I want you to know that there are not many doctors like you. You are a kind, unselfish man, and I feel you are the type of doctor who should be written up in medical textbooks.
In our many years together I feel that you have treated me very well. There have been times when I know I may have been a pain, but you understood where I was coming from and looked after me. I thank you for coming out to my home now as I realize that is quite uncommon for a doctor to do these days. I appreciate you listening to my concerns and fears and allowing me to receive care while I remain with my family.
I think you know my gratitude by my giving you a hug during one of your visits, but I wanted to make sure that these thoughts were written down so you are able to refer to them when you think of patients like me…I know you always have my best interests at heart.
Yours Sincerely,

Elizabeth Halfkenny (and family)



To submit thank-you letters, e-mail
vgoldste@bidmc.harvard.edu.