past issues

Published monthly for CC employees by Clinical Center Communications/

November 1997

NIH Guest House finds a new home

Housekeeping Week activities

New procedures for interpreter

Campus walk raises awareness

Puff visits

CC deputy director retires

Receipts add to students' inventory

CC's radiology historian

Management analyst retires

CC generators power a city of their own

Upshot

Classes

From the director

Briefs

  

Campaign kicks off

Dr. John Gallin, CC director, spoke during opening ceremonies for the 1997 CFC campaign. The event, which was held on Oct. 16, included an R&W Chili Cook-Off, raffles, CFC volunteer agency booths, and music compliments of the Federal Focus Jazz Band.

CFC train departs the NIH station

It All Comes Back to You.

That's what over 250 NIH'ers learned about giving during kickoff activities for the 1997 Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), held on Oct. 16 in front of Building 1.

During opening ceremonies, campaign leaders stressed the need for the NIH to give back to its community. "NIH gets help from Congress, but another community needs our help," said Dr. John Gallin, CC director and NIH vice chairman for the effort. "So when a CFC keyworker calls on you to donate, please give generously."

The event, which was hosted by the Clinical Center, this year's lead ICD, provided attendees a chance to learn about several voluntary agencies that make up the CFC, sample chili from the Hard Times Cafe, and hear a poignant narrative of how one individual personally benefited from the CFC.

John Fonner, who works with the NIH Office of Technology Transfer, shared the story of what seemed like a simple trip through the mountains of Portland, and how it changed his life forever. The trip turned tragic when his car veered off the road and fell 170 feet into a ravine where he was trapped in the car for 16 days.

Unable to remove a tree root that had pinned his foot, for days Fonner made feeble attempts to use a mirror and the sunlight to signal cars passing above.

Finally, using a tire iron and a rock, Fonner was able to dislodge his foot and climb up to the road for help. Unable to save his limb, eventually his leg was amputated below the knee.

Fonner thanks the Combined Federal Campaign for changing his life. "I went from an active lifestyle before the accident to a couch potato afterwards," said Fonner. After realizing that he needed to do more, he joined a ski clinic sponsored by Disabled Sports USA, a CFC agency.

"Thanks to the CFC, I was better able to cope with being disabled," said Fonner. Since joining the group, he has led a more active lifestyle, including marathons and races and takes every opportunity to share his experience.

"There is an ongoing need to support the CFC so it can provide resources to assist organizations to meet their goals," said Fonner. "They provide a better quality of life for recipients and, as a result, everyone benefits."

Other presenters included NIH Deputy Director Dr. Ruth Kirschstein, who chairs the NIH effort; NIH Deputy Director for Management, Anthony Itteilag, who is the NIH coordinator; and Norman Taylor, CFC director.

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Guest House finds a new home

A ribbon-cutting ceremony in September 1996 commemorated the opening of the NIH Guest House, a pilot initiative designed to test the feasibility of offering alternative lodging to CC patients and their families.

One year later, construction on the new Clinical Research Center will result in the demolition of Building 20, the original home of the NIH Guest House. But the Guest House lives on.

Now located at a local apartment community on nearby Battery Lane, the new NIH Guest House consists of three apartments, with more slated to be available in the coming months.

Modeled after the Children's Inn, the Guest House is based on the idea that clinical care is enhanced when families stay together. And according to program planners, the success of the first phase of the pilot demonstrated the need for the lodging to continue being offered.

"The commitment to convenient accommodations for Clinical Center patients, families, and visitors continues to be a primary concern during this time of transition and construction," says Dr. John Gallin, CC director.


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Housekeeping Week festivities in September included a staff-prepared luncheon to honor employees. "I take pride in my work and realize that what I am doing provides a safe and clean environment for patients and staff," says Bill Hart, housekeeping aide. "But it is the responsibility of everyone in the Clinical Center to take care of our building-housekeeping can't do it alone." Shown are (left to right) Robert Kolodziejski, LaTonya Johnson, Lloyd Booze, Juanita Coleman, Sharon Richardson, Marie Collins, and Carolyn Coates.

  

The CC Housekeeping Department recently discussed ways to "get the jump" on their jobs during a presentation by Dr. Jane Elizabeth Petrick (left). The event, also held during annual Housekeeping Week, stressed the importance of identifying obstacles in the workplace and developing methods to overcome them. "These activities have been designed to thank the housekeeping staff for their hard work and dedication and also to develop new ideas for improvements in the department," says Henry Primas, chief of the Housekeeping and Fabric Care Department (right).

New procedure for sign interpreter services

The CC Social Work Department's Volunteer Services Program will coordinate sign language interpreter services for patients.

Once a date of arrival is established, an ICD representative should:

1. Consult with the individual to explore their preferred language or mode of interpreting services.

2. Request interpreting services, at least two weeks in advance, by contacting the director of volunteer services at 6-1807 or e-mail at DVS@nih.gov. Those with ADM/Travel/Voucher Request (54) access should enter sign language in the language interpreter section.

3. Provide the following:

a. patient name, ICD, and contact person;

b. date, time duration, and location;

c. preferred mode of communication;

d. subject matter of meeting, treatment, or procedure; e. name and phone number of ICD contact person; and

f. any special instructions or requests (e.g., female or male interpreter).

4. Forward copies of pertinent materials, such as protocol or medical procedure information, to the Director of Volunteers, Social Work Department, Building 10 room 1N252.

The CC Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Office will continue to coordinate employee interpreter services. NIH staff members needing interpreters can contact the EEO office at 6-1584 or TTY at 6-9100.

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 Campus walk raises awareness

In celebration of National Physical Therapy Month in October, Rehabilitation Medicine's physical therapy section hosted a one-mile campus walk. The walk, which started at the Clinical Center and ended at Building 31, was organized to help participants learn more about the importance of physical activity. "We wanted to show our support of a recent report by the U.S. Surgeon General, that encourages people to be more active, whether by adopting an aerobics program, walking, gardening, or taking the stairs," says Charlie McGarvey, chief of the physical therapy section. "And since NIH has designated a number of beautiful walking trails on campus, it was a great opportunity for people to incorporate exercise in their work day."

  

 

Puff visits local day care center

The Critical Care Medicine Department's respiratory therapy section featured "Puff the Dragon" in a recent National Respiratory Care Week skit. During visits to local schools and day care centers, Puff and department staff used interactive techniques to emphasize the importance of cardiopulmonary health, healthy eating, and avoiding bad habits.

 

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CC deputy director retires after 26 years of NIH service

Michael I. Goldrich, deputy director and chief operating officer of the Clinical Center, recently retired after 26 years of service at the NIH.

Since last August, his responsibilities with the CC Office of the Director have included: providing oversight to the planning, design, integration and implementation of the new Clinical Research Center; coordinating the implementation of a strategic plan and providing oversight for the initiation of new patterns of governance at the CC; serving as the focal point for the resolution of third party recovery discussions; assisting with the implementation of new strategic alliances with hospitals, HMOs, and university medical centers; and leading a project team to evaluate and design a new cost accounting system.

Goldrich came to the CC from NIAID, where he had been director for management and operations since 1984. Responsibilities there included operations support to an in-house research program; administrative oversight for a $1 billion grant and contract program; and supervision of more than 250 staff supporting the institute's business and research infrastructure activities.

In 1971 he came to NIH as a financial management trainee and worked as a grants analyst, financial management analyst, and senior administrative officer at NCI before going to NIAID.

Goldrich will continue his professional career at the University of Maryland at Baltimore's Institute of Human Virology.

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Receipts add to students' inventory of educational materials

As soon as you enter the doors of the NIH School you feel a warmth that words cannot explain. Not the warmth of a summer day, but something from within that makes you feel welcome, like you belong.

And every month more than 50 children feel that warmth when they enter the 10th floor school door. They're here because their need for medical treatment takes them away from home and homework.

"We realize that parents might be concerned that their children will fall behind in their classwork while enrolled in a clinical trial," says Helen Mays, director of the school. "But this program allows us to work with children who are able to continue with their schooling to ensure that they don't miss any assignments.

"Often our children need an outlet, something to get their minds off of the treatment that they are receiving and frequently, they welcome the opportunity to keep up with the work from their home schools," says Mays.

Thanks to programs like those sponsored by Safeway and Giant Foods, the NIH School, which is a Montgomery County satellite school, has netted equipment and supplies such as computer software, books, a globe, a printer, and a large-screen television. And for the third year, the NIH School will be collecting receipts to benefit its educational programs.

"Thanks to the efforts of the NIH community, our children have received some wonderful resources that have complemented their education," says Mays. "We look forward to another successful year."

Caring for children grades kindergarten to 12, the staff includes Mays, Anne Wasson, Susan Job, Phyllis Siegrist, and Ann Davidson.

The program ends Feb. 28. Send Safeway and Giant receipts to Building 10, room 10S235, or call 6-2077 for more information.

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"Radiology is one of the more fascinating aspects of medicine because of the speed of evolution," says Dr. Jean Herdt. He recently retired from the CC Diagnostic Radiology Department.

 

 

 

 

CC's radiology historian retires after 39 years

In the past, civilizations strongly relied on the knowledge of the griot, or storyteller, to paint a picture of humanity for generations to come.

Following in that tradition, the Diagnostic Radiology Department has until late relied on their own rendition of the community historian.

Dr. Jean Herdt, who recently retired from the Clinical Center after 39 years of service, is known among colleagues as the "radiology historian," always willing to share his experience in the field.

"Radiology is one of the more fascinating aspects of medicine because of the speed of evolution," says Herdt. And Herdt can narrate at the drop of a dime the entire history of the field, since much of that history evolved right in front of his eyes.

Often leading staff training sessions, Herdt willingly shares stories about how he has witnessed the field of radiology from its crudest beginning.

Early technicians used fluorescent screens in darkened rooms, while wearing special glasses because image intensification didn't exist. As well, the first devices for nuclear medicine were housed in the hallway before being designated as a CC department.

"While at the Clinical Center, I have seen the field grow immensely and the technology has allowed doctors to better assess and evaluate the patient to see what effects certain treatments have," he says.

And having spent so much time here, Herdt is also known as a historian for the Clinical Center. From playing noon-time baseball on a field where the hospital now stands to being in attendance when Harry S Truman placed the cornerstone on the CC, Herdt has seen it all.

As a high school student working with the Division of Tropical Diseases, Herdt freely loaned his body to science when he "used his arms and legs to feed mosquitoes and lice."

His youthful patriotism was also evident as he often combed the NIH campus to find snails for experiments to develop agents to kill parasites that plagued troops in Southeast Asia.

What could have brought such a budding young patriot to the research arena? Why, the promise of a trip to Europe, of course.

After hearing stories from his immigrant grandmother about the beauty of Europe, Herdt had a strong desire to see the area. When in his last year of medical school, he was approached by a recruiter who told him he would be given that chance if he interned with the Public Health Service. He jumped at the opportunity and served for a year as a ship's doctor in Europe.

He began his professional career at NIH in 1958 when he joined the radiology department. Herdt served as deputy chief of radiology from 1970 to 1995 and had been a part-time senior staff member since 1995.

During his retirement, Herdt plans to continue with his favorite pastimes, which include hiking, canoeing, biking, and working with the board of directors of the Residential Institute for Children and Adolescents (RICA) and the Affiliated Community Counselors, a mental health group.

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Management analyst retires

Gerald "Jerry" Macks knows the Clinical Center inside out.

He's played a key role in the installation of the computerized Medical Information System (MIS), conducted operational studies of virtually every hospital department, established and maintained a system for tracking institutes' research costs, and provided data for the design of both the ACRF and the new Clinical Research Center.

He retired recently after 26 years of service with the Office of the Director. While here, Macks has had the opportunity to work with various departments and staff. "I don't think I will miss the projects, machines, or buildings much. It's the people," he says.

 Prior to coming to the CC, Macks worked as a project director for Community Systems Foundation in Baltimore, where he analyzed and documented work flows, physical layouts, job assignments, and departmental relationships. He earned a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering from Johns Hopkins University and a master of science degree in personnel administration from George Washington University.

Macks has received numerous honors, including a management engineering award from the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society of the American Hospital Association in 1992 and the NIH Director's Award in 1991.

Future plans for Macks include working as an operations consultant with Helixhealth, an organization consisting of five hospitals and other entities in the Baltimore area, as well as active committee work with the Maryland Hospital Association.

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CC generators: Powering a city of their own

What has three engines, burns 330 gallons of oil per hour, and produces 4.5 million watts of electricity? The new CC emergency generators.

Yielding enough power to run a small city, new emergency generators for the Clinical Center are up and running. A cooperative effort between the CC Office of Facility Management (OFM) and the NIH Division of Engineering Services, the new generators have over twice the power of the old ones and are designed to kick in within ten seconds of power failure in the building.

"The normal power in the Clinical Center is very reliable. Although it would be a rare occurrence if we had to use emergency power, it can happen," says Ray Bowen, deputy chief, OFM.

The CC emergency power system had been housed in Building 11 since the 1970s. Under the $4 million project, the outdated generators were removed and state-of-the-art, computer-controlled and monitored ones were set up outside the Blood Bank.

The new system will ensure that the current building and the future Clinical Research Center meet code requirements for the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).

"Many hospitals fail the JCAHO facility requirements because of difficulties with their emergency generator systems," says Bowen.

"We are confident that the new generators meet our current needs," he says. "Although it is too early to make final load calculations, we designed them so that they could also supply emergency power to the new Clinical Research Center."

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Dr. John Gallin, CC director, recently received his annual influenza vaccine. Muriel Brenner, senior staff nurse with Occupational Medicine Service (OMS), administers the shot. OMS is offering vaccinations at various times and locations, both on and off campus.

 

Upcoming classes for NIH employees:

The Education and Training Section will sponsor the following trainings:

Learning from Conflict, Friday, Nov. 7, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 6100 Executive Boulevard, Conference Room 1.

Writing Effective KSAs, Friday, Nov. 21, 9 a.m. to noon, 6100 Executive Boulevard, Conference Room 1.

Tips and Techniques for Managing Stress, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 8:30 a.m. to noon, 6100 Executive Boulevard, Conference Room 1.

Shuttle service and parking space are available. Register by calling 6-1618

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From the director

by Dr. John I. Gallin, CC director

A key component in planning for the new Mark O. Hatfield Clinical Research Center has been the CC Advisory Council's highly successful process to quickly translate the needs and wants of a large and diverse community of NIH users into the nuts and bolts of a schematic design.

Approved by the directors of the institutes and major NIH components earlier this month, the schematic design is a giant step toward the project's next phase, design development.

To reach agreement among investigators who will use the new hospital and labs, the Council mobilized teams of institute partners based on proposed users of specific areas of the new hospital.

After an institute "town meeting" in early September, the partner teams fast-tracked a series of intensive sessions over a course of six weeks to review building plans and models in detail, discuss specialized needs and concerns, and craft solutions to problems as they were identified.

The partner teams-who will work closely in neighborhoods of care in the new hospital-looked closely at each patient-care unit's specialized needs, location, and the proposed number of beds.

Most issues of concern were resolved through this process. The architects were able to modify plans in order to meet many of the needs expressed by the teams. Other issues considered and discussed resulted in more extensive revisions to the plan.

For example, the new building's pediatric behavioral unit was relocated to offer more convenient access to the playground and the general pediatrics unit. Another area of concern identified during the meetings-plans for the existing ACRF-will require closer scrutiny by users and designers alike.

The review by the partner teams has been a sterling example of how cooperation and consensus can enhance the planning process. The teams will continue to be involved in the development of the new Clinical Research Center over the next few months. Eventually, the teams will provide a foundation for building governance teams for the patient-care units.

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25th holiday auction set for next month

The Clinical Pathology Department has compiled a holiday cookbook and will also be accepting donations for their annual auction to benefit needy patients. The cookbook, which will feature over 300 holiday recipes, will be sold at R&W, beginning Nov. 24. The auction will be held on Dec. 5 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in room 2C310. Both will benefit the Patient Emergency Fund and the Friends of the Clinical Center. For more information, call Norma Ruschell at 6-4473 or Sallie Seymour at 6-3386.

Director's awards to be announced

Staff from various CC departments will be recognized at the Director's Annual Awards Ceremony. The event will take place on Nov. 14 at 2 p.m. in Masur Auditorium.

Scrooge visits the CC

The Performing Arts Ensemble will present a musical adaptation of "Scrooge" on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m. in Masur Auditorium. Proceeds from the event will support NIH patients and their families through the Friends of the Clinical Center. Admission is $8 for adults and $4 for children ages 12 and under. For tickets, call 6-4328.

Board convened

The CC Board of Governors met here on Oct. 22 for their fourth session. Board members heard an update on the Clinical Center from Dr. John Gallin, CC director; an overview of the Clinical Center Advisory Council from Dr. Edison Liu, council co-chair; and a report on the Medical Executive Committee from Dr. Lynnette Nieman, the group's chair.

News briefs

One more door to stay open out back

Employees entering the Clinical Center from the south side of campus have one more option, at least through mid-March. The door near the MRI section will remain open for CC traffic, but routes to the door might change as south entry construction progresses.

According to Don Sebastian, NIH project officer, staff will be alerted to new routes by signs located along the routes of access. Additional south campus entrances are: the cafeteria on the B-1 level and the north corridor near the Department of Transfusion Medicine.

FY98 budget noted

In a memo to all NIH employees, DHHS Secretary Donna Shalala announced that Congress enacted a new Continuing Resolution, allowing the Department to continue operating at current budget levels through Nov. 7. The memo assured employees that there will not be an interruption in work and Congress is working towards passage of the FY 1998 budget.

New division set up at NIH

The Biomedical Engineering and Instrumentation Program, the Veterinary Resources Program, the Medical Arts and Photography Branch, and the NIH Library are now part of the Office of Research Services (ORS). For the present, these programs will be a part of the new Division of Intramural Research Services (DIRS), under the direction of Leonard Taylor.

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 Clinical Center News, Building 10, Room 1C255, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892. (301) 496-2563. Fax: 402-2984. Published monthly for CC employees by the Office of Clinical Center Communications, Colleen Henrichsen, chief. News, articles ideas, calendar events, letters, and photographs are welcome. Deadline for submission is the second Monday of each month.  Editor: LaTonya Kittles.
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