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Atrium Suite Opens

The Shapiro Clinical Center lobby has always been a lively place; now it is even busier with the opening of the Healthcare Associates (HCA) Atrium Suite.

As of early February, the HCA Autumn Street primary care practice relocated to renovated space in the Shapiro lobby. The Atrium Suite also houses
the Learning Center for patients and families, which returns from its temporary home on the west campus. A new Women’s Health Center is expected to become fully operational in the suite in the coming months.

James Heffernan, M.D., HCA’s medical director, says bringing these services together has created, “a vibrant shared space for staff, patients and families.”

As BIDMC’s on-site primary care practice, HCA serves 34,000 patients annually from Shapiro 6 and the Atrium Suite. According to Richard Parker, M.D., Atrium Suite director, the new space is convenient for patients and staff, offering close proximity to outpatient services such
as the laboratory, radiology and surgical specialties. “Being under the same roof facilitates collaboration among colleagues,” says Parker.

The new suite’s accessible design supports HCA’s hallmark team approach to care, according to Russell Phillips, M.D., division chief of general medicine and primary care. “The space has truly been adapted to the needs of clinicians and patients,” says Phillips. Barbara Rosato, N.P., primary care and the Women’s Health Center, agrees. “This is a positive step in bringing HCA closer together,” she notes.

The move comes as HCA dramatically improves service for 1,500 phone calls the practice receives daily. Christine Healey, HCA operations manager, says specifically trained staff now answer phones more promptly from a new Dana 9 location, and work continues on reducing hold times.

The Learning Center is returning to
a space integrated with the HCA reception area, according to Pat Folcarelli, R.N., M.A., director of professional practice development in patient care services. “The center is open to all BIDMC patients and families as before,” she notes, “but the HCA location will no doubt increase the center’s use.”

The developing Women’s Health Center will provide primary care, consultation and educational programs for patients and medical trainees, according to Jennifer Potter, M.D., medical director of the center.

Founded in 1971, HCA now includes 45 physicians, 10 nurse practitioners, mental health providers and the rotations of 130 medical residents. Offerings include college health services, anti-coagulation services and an HIV program.

- Cindy Whitcome


The HCA Atrium Suite staff includes (l-r) Potter, Allouma Clair, Barbara Cunio, Healey, Parker and Francine Theberge, R.N.


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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

director, internal communications:
   Cindy Whitcome
managing editor:
   Valerie Hope Goldstein
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   Jen McGrath & Jane Hayward
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    Ruth Freiman
contributing photographers:
   Oran Barber, Bruce Wahl


© BIDMC, Boston, MA, USA, 2003-2004. All rights reserved. Material may be reproduced only with the express written consent of communications.














Center Offers Prescription
for Living Well

Members of the Healthy Weight Self-Management Program team

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center is launching a program to help patients “Live Well” by adding individually tailored exercise, health behavior and diet regimens to traditional medical care as tools physicians and patients can use to manage chronic illness.

Backed by a $1 million gift from long-time medical center supporters Alexander and Brenda Tanger, BIDMC is expanding its definition of medical care to include the sciences of exercise, nutrition and behavior in an integrated format. The BeWell! Tanger Center for Health Management has taken steps to “translate research into practice” by transforming the Woody Tanger BeWell! Center on the west campus into an outpatient clinic with state-of-the-art exercise equipment and education facilities. Pending regulatory approval, the Live Well program will let participants receive exercise and diet “prescriptions” from their physicians at BIDMC to “fill” at the center that will enable them to take greater control over their own health and well-being. The rejuvenated center, located on Brookline Avenue, is expected to open soon.

“While health care providers and many Americans are aware of the many benefits of regular exercise, a healthy diet and positive health habits, relatively few people use these approaches effectively to improve their health. This is particularly true of people with chronic illness,” says Daniel Rooks, Ph.D., the center’s director, describing this first-of-its kind program. “The Live Well program was developed as a solution to this pervasive problem by providing clinicians with a ‘self-management’ tool to maximize the health, function and quality of life of their patients with chronic illness.”

The initial program – entitled Healthy Weight Self-Management – will focus on moderately to severely obese individuals, including bariatric surgery candidates. The program will provide these patients with a three-month integrated program of group exercise, nutrition and behavior skills training to prepare for surgery and what lies beyond – or potentially serve as an alternative. The patients will then take part in specially tailored group exercise, nutrition education, stress management, behavior skills training, and support groups for the months following surgery. When participants are ready, the program will connect patients with a selected community location or set them up at home to continue their exercise program. Participants will stay connected to the Healthy Weight Self-Management’s multidisciplinary team via telephone, e-mail and the Web to receive the support needed for successful, long-term weight maintenance. Participants also have the option to attend ongoing monthly support group meetings led by an exercise physiologist, dietitian, health educator or behavior specialist.

“The goal of the program is to empower participants with the knowledge, skills and confidence to become their own self-management experts,” says Rooks.

Live Well also provides a specific program for injured employees seeking to return to work. Future program plans include tailoring self-management regimens to patients with chronic conditions such as arthritis, heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia and lupus.

Information: Susan Hiitt, coordinator of clinical services, Be Well! Tanger Center at (66)7-7150

Click here to see more photos of the new center

- Jerry Berger