PULSE

A Newsletter for FHC Employees

THE

ISSUE 4

Brendans Story
By Jennifer Pieroni

n Labor Day in 1998, when Jill McDonough was 36 weeks pregnant with her second child, she noticed that the baby had stopped moving. Shed had a routine pregnancy, so her doctor suggested she go to Quincy Medical Center for a stress test. Upon leaving to go for her appointment, Jill promised her four year- old daughter Maura shed be home by later in the afternoon to help her prepare for her first week of kindergarten. That plan changed when Jill was caught off guard with a major medical emergency when the results of the stress test required her to undergo an immediate C-section. When Brendan was born, Jill and her husband Patrick were told he might not live longer than 24 hours and that he required a full blood transfusion. If he lived, they were told that their son would never talk or walk. Yet somehow the hours, weeks, and months after that initial scare passed.

Because Jill followed her maternal instincts right away, her doctors at Quincy Medical Center and Brendans in the NICU at New England Medical were able to respond rapidly enough to save his life, but he still had many challenges ahead. As Brendan grew, Jill and Patrick found themselves quickly becoming experts in caring for a young child with multiple and complex medical conditions, including cerebral palsy, epilepsy, cortical visual impairment, and the symptoms that accompany them, such as frequent seizures, migraines, pain, and intermittent blindness. Today Jill refers to her fourteen-year-old son as a miracle child. Tall and thin, with a constant grin and irresistible laugh, Brendan has proven to be both strong and resilient. Also, according to his mother, he spends a whole lot of time on the telephone for a teen who some doctors thought might never talk. A student entering the 8th grade at McCormack Middle School in Dorchester, Brendan has spent nearly his entire summer getting even stronger. Last May he underwent his 19th surgery, which was performed by Dr. Brian Snyder, an Orthopedist at Childrens Hospital

Boston. The procedure has better aligned his right lower leg and foot, while also enabling him to bend his knee, which he could not do before. To hear Jill tell the details is overwhelming. First they broke his ankle. They rotated his bones. Cut his tendons. Re-attached them to other areas of his bones. Yet as she spoke, Brendan seemed unaffected, eagerly working to connect his smartphone to the wireless internet access to check his Facebook account. Recovery from a surgery like the one Brendan recently had is hard and tiring work. Because her son has had so many of them, Jill is now a pro. She said that switching Brendan to Franciscan for

A Message from the Editor

World Youth Day, held annually in the dioceses of the world, provides an international meeting of young people with the Pope, which lasts about a week. Last month, the World Youth Assembly was held in Rio de Janiero and thousands of young men and women came together to socialize, pray and relax. Pope Francis made the most of the event and prayed that attendees be able to translate this experience into their daily journey, in their everyday conduct. This struck a chord with me as I thought about it in our work here at Franciscan Hospital for Children. Our work is important, not just for the children and families we serve, but also for ourselves. I encourage you to think about your role at the hospital and how it changes the person you are. Let those changes be for the positive. I hope as always, you find this edition informative and enlightening about all thats happening inside these walls. My door is always open to you and your feedback.

physical therapy was one of the best decisions shes ever made. This is because he can receive so many forms of physical therapy on our campus. In the past, shed driven to three separate locations twice weekly to meet his needs, that was six separate appointments, three separate therapists. At Franciscan, Brendan works solely with Maria FragalaPinkham, who oversees all of his physical therapies, and who ensures that he receives special opportunities to increase his strength and support his mobility and physical fitness. Jill says, Maria is amazing. Shes very good with Brendan. Hes had other therapists who dont make it entertaining. Most importantly, she doesnt give up on him or let him give up on himself. Brendan laughed a little to himself, covering his mouth before saying, Yeah, she gives me a hard time. But Ill get payback. Marias response? Brandon works really hard in therapy sessions and is highly motivated. She notes that after his initial surgery his doctor had imposed weight bearing restrictions when on land, so she used the Richard and Susan Smith Family Therapeutic Pool during his therapy sessions. He was able to use the treadmill in the pool soon after surgery without putting too much stress on his healing bones, muscles, and joints. Once he was cleared for full weight bearing on land, it was a much easier transition and he quickly walked with a good walking pattern on land without favoring or limping on the right side. In addition to seeing Maria twice weekly for physical therapy services, Brendan has now participated in all three of Franciscans Adaptive Sports programs: ice skating, bicycle, and baseball camps. All of this from a boy whose doctors

predicted he might never walk! Recognizing the tremendous gains he has made and cultivating his natural leadership abilities, Maria selected Brendan to serve as a junior counselor during bicycle camp this year. He has a lot of practice after all, because at home he rides a Rifton adaptive tricycle which, his mother adds, hes quickly becoming too tall to ride. Of his role as junior counselor, Brendan said, I showed one little kid how to use his brake. He didnt know how to ride a bike at all. He learned fast though. Learning fast is something Brendan knows hes capable of too. In a previous school he was referred to as the Mayor of the Murphy (which was the name of the school). Now hes looking forward to starting a new school year as classroom leader, which according to him means hes responsible for keeping everyone in line. Hell also be participating in Franciscans adaptive ice skating program again this year. Although he thinks getting back on the ice will be a fun form of physical therapy, hes also hoping that members of the Bruins will make an appearance. In particular, Brendan indicated that if Brad Marchand visited and took him for a ride in his Escalade it would be pretty cool. But before this summer ends, Brendan and his family are taking a one-week trip to the Dominican Republic for a little R&R. When asked what rest and relaxation means to him, Brendan said hes looking forward to hanging out on the beach and at the pool, listening to music, and chatting with his friends on Facebook.

The Franciscan Missionaries of Mary operate all around the globe

Sr Martina Clara Azpilicueta shares her very Franciscan experience with the homeless in Bordeaux, France
Anna, a woman always sitting on this street corner, Sr Martina with Julia (a medical student volunteer) and Patrick, a homeless person.

ere in our parish we visit the elderly, those in crisis, those in need of a literacy program. We offer a number of Compassion services which are meant to support those in need. One of those is the pavement caf. At the caf, we offer hot drink or juice and pastries as well as warm clothing in winter. During visits I encounter the homeless and those with untreated disease and addiction. It is hard to express all you feel when in contact with these persons. It is impossible to simply see them as nameless people on the street. It is not a matter of being those who give, but of being with them, bringing them a bit of human warmth, then creating a human relationship of respect. Easy?... No, not always because it is about overcoming reactions of repulsion in the face of such misery. In spite of their situational limitations each is a human being with hidden gifts and talents that are dormant due to addiction or bad luck in life. As St Francis kissed a leper in his day may I continue to embrace my street friends.

Eyes in the Sky over Franciscan

By Mark Dutra

s part of FHCs commitment to continue its focus on security and safety enhancements, a state of the art surveillance system was recently installed. Multiple cameras have been located around the campus and supplement our already enhanced touring and patrolling protocols. These cameras add a critical tool to assist the FHC Security Department in monitoring the campus. This new camera system offers 24 hour surveillance of the premises, making entrance and egress from our facility more trackable and secure. This development is just the next in a series that aim to keep our kids, their families and our staff safe.

Sister Gloria Carpinello, FMM

In Sympathy

To any of you in our Franciscan Family who are recently bereaved, our heartfelt condolence. Please know you and yours are remembered in our chapel services.

Senator Joan B. Lovely, Dr. Ralph Buonopane, and John D. Nash, President and CEO of Franciscan Hospital for Children discussing plans for the renovation

L
O

is for

By Mary Lou Kelleher

aughter:

At the height of laugher, the universe is flung into a kaleidoscope of new possibilities.
-- Jean Houston, an American scholar, lecturer, author and philosopher.
ur hospitals value statement includes laughter; we state that We believe that joy and good humor create a healing environment. This is a very true statement and one that has been demonstrated repeatedly in the evidence of research. Laughter is a powerful antidote to stress, pain and conflict. Laughter triggers healthy physical changes in the body to strengthen the immune system, boost a persons energy and lightens ones burdens while inspiring hope and creativity. Laughter keeps us all grounded, focused and alert. When we walk through the halls, units and programs at Franciscan Hospital for Children we need to create the most positive healing environment we can. We need to renew the work that we do, the care that we give every day. The ability to laugh easily and frequently is a tremendous source of strength which we can control. Sometimes its just a matter of choosing to release it. Laughter can help us solve problems, enhance relationships and support the physical and emotional health of our patients and our employees. Humor and laughter are also a powerful tool in building more productive and cohesive groups. And, its well known that cohesive teams are more productive. As we collectively work throughout the hospital on our respective teams, we can look to the literature that supports shared laughter and the spirit of fun as a means to bring us closer together this is especially true when the team work function is highly stressed and often functions in the midst of adversity. The emotional glue that is created through a good laugh enables team members to stick together on tough days, when members need each other to take care of the kids and get the job done. Laughter is good for all of us --- we will be healthier if we laugh.

Raising Awareness and Funds for Behavioral Health Services

n Monday, August 19th, Senator Joan Lovely Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse visited for a tour of the hospital pediatric behavioral health programs and to learn how Franciscan will use a recent $1.35 million gift to directly address the closure of facilities serving children in psychiatric crisis around the state. Thanks to a gift from the estate of Joan Lewis, the Inpatient Mental Health Program will undergo an

extensive renovation allowing 50 additional children in psychiatric crisis to be served each year. It is of the utmost importance that we continue to support programs like these that provide the crucial care necessary to protect the states children in need, said Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem). We look forward to seeing Franciscan Hospital for Children expand its reach to meet the growing demand

for pediatric behavioral health services. This gift is very exciting for us and marks the kickoff of a fundraising campaign that will allow us to improve our facility. It is well known that our staff and services are very highly regarded, and its time to make sure our buildings support their exceptional service to the children we serve. said John Nash, CEO, Franciscan Hospital for Children.

Laughter relaxes the whole body relieving physical tension and stress; muscle remains relaxed for up to 45 minutes after a good laugh. Laughter supports the immune system positively by decreasing the stress hormones and increasing immune cells to fight infections, thus improving resistance to disease. Laughter triggers the release of endorphins the bodys feel good chemicals for an overall sense of well-being. Laughter protects the heart by improving the blood flow through the vessels, which offers protection from heart attacks or other heart related diseases.

Do your part to fight the flu! I

f you havent already, please be sure to get your FREE flu shot in the Human Resources department. Staff who have not received their flu shot will have to wear a mask during the months of October 1st and March 1st. Everyone who has received the vaccine should be sure to get a sticker for their badge verifying they are in compliance. For those who have received it elsewhere, documentation of vaccination is requested. Questions or comments? Contact Employee Health Nurse, Cheryl Lewandowski at ext. 3700

Enjoy a good laugh your creativity will flourish, you will feel better all over, you will be more energized. Laughter takes you to a higher place where you can view your world from a more relaxed, positive, creative, joyful and balanced perspective. Laughter will enable you to be the best that you can be for the children we serve. Go ahead -- Have some FUN --- LAUGH!

Welcome to all of our New Hires!

Please join us in welcoming our newest members of the team. Jacqueline Kelley Hannah Dasinger Kelsey Doherty Kristine Hodshon Kyle Rosse Jenna Gove Jenna Fraher Kathleen Provost Kaitlyn Barron Heather Fuller Abby Puppolo Sean Hand Catherine McCarthy Lauren MacLean Shaun Holbrook Yuanrui Li RN Psych Intern Co-op Intern Co-op Doctoral Intern Mental Health Specialist Intern Co-op Mental Health Specialist Admitting Clerk Behavioral Residential Co Mental Health Specialist Dietary Clerk VP Ambulatory Services Teacher Lead CCC Mental Health Specialist Residential Counselor Mental Health Specialist Residential Counselor Residential Counselor RN RN RN RN Psych RN Intern Co-op RN CBAT Mental Health Specialist Case Manager Case Manager Speech Path Cert CC RN Psych

Y T E F SA R I A F
SAVE THE DATE!
On Tuesday, October 15, 2013 from 11am-2pm, the Safety and Security Department will host a Safety Fair in the Chamberlain Conference Room.
This Safety Fair will include information and demonstrations on a range of subjects including response plans, workplace violence prevention and personal protection. Flu shots will also be available. We look forward to seeing you there!

Briana Mclean Virginia Vincent Brittany Creagh Hannah Fraser Jennifer Kostigen Alycen Palmer Celine Gaujac Audrey Grubb Melissa Martin Erica Neugarten Laura Adams Kelly Turner Keslie Stricker Amanda Melchiorri

PRODUCTION TEAM
Editor-in-Chief Sr. Gloria Carpinello Gloriafmm@fhfc.org Contributing Editors Deanna Dwyer Jennifer Fexis Jennifer Pieroni Morela Speller