NEWS

Baystate Awarded 2-Year Grant for Chief Resident Immersion Training (CRIT) Program in the Care of Older Adult

Baystate will develop their own version of the Association of Directors of Geriatric Academic Programs-Boston University's successful CRIT Program that plays on its unique strengths. Officers from the AGS Residents Chapter (the first in the country) will be involved, and BMC's expertise in simulation training will be incorporated.

The CRIT program brings chief residents and faculty responsible for residency training in surgical and medical specialties together for an intensive 2 1/2 day retreat. Focusing on improving chief residents' understanding of geriatric principles and their leadership and teaching skills, CRIT also fosters collaboration among disciplines in the management of complex older patients.

Impact and Sustainability

At its January 2009 meeting, the BMC Graduate Medical Education Committee unanimously voted to support the CRIT application. The Division of Academic Affairs has pledged to continue the project beyond the grant period for an expanded number of participants, albeit more modestly. Additionally, Dr. Brennan expects that the project will poise BMC to develop into a regional CRIT training center starting in 2012 with participation by CRs from Berkshire Medical Center. Other institutions will be invited to enroll in the BMC CRIT in a “pay as you go” basis.  The Geriatrics Division at Maine Medical Center has already expressed interest.

PI Maura Brennan, MD and Co-PIs Mihaela Stefan, MD and Gladys Fernandez, MD are supported by key faculty Sandra Bellantonio, MD, Steven Fischel, MD, Hal Jenson, MD and Gina Luciano, MD, incoming Internal Medicine CR.

TUSM Senior Class Teaching Awards

Tufts University School of Medicine Class of 2009 has selected the following Baystate Medical Center faculty and housestaff to be honored with teaching awards

Award to Faculty for Excellence in Teaching

• Gladys L. Fernandez, MD, Department of Surgery

Award to Housestaff / Fellows for Excellence in Teaching

• Danae R. Netteburg, MD, Obstetrics-Gynecology Resident

The awards will be presented at the TUSM Senior Class Dinner on May 13 at the Omni Parker House Hotel.

Elena Tunitsky, MD, Obstetrics-Gynecology Resident, Wins District I American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology Award

Dr. Tunitsky's essay was entitled, "The Day I Made a Difference." She will receive a $500 prize as part of the award.

Heather Z. Sankey, MD, Obstetrics-Gynecology Residency Program Director, Appointed Junior Fellow Advisor for District I of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Ronald Burkman, MD, Department of Obstetrics-Gynecology, Appointed Editor-in-Chief of Female Patient

Pediatric Endocrinology Fellowship Receives 5 Year Accreditation

At its March 29, 2009 meeting, the RRC for Pediatrics awarded Baystate's Pediatric Endocrinology fellowship renewed accreditation for 5 years, the longest duration of accreditation that can be awarded. Holley Allen, MD is the fellowship's Program Director.