MEHC new recognition program

Martha Eliot Health Center (MEHC)'s new employee recognition program, called ECES Superstars, has been a smashing success. The Early Intervention team started the program to recognize employees' behaviors that exemplify the Exceptional Care, Exceptional Service values. Anyone can fill out a star certificate and pass it on to a deserving employee, many of whom are proudly displaying their stars on their cubicle walls.

Registered Dietitian Day

Last month, Children's recognized the dedication of more than 40 registered dietitians and dietetic technicians, who provide food and nutrition expertise to improve the nutritional health of our patients and families on the first-ever Registered Dietitian Day.

Teens lead donation drive

When 13-year-old Katie Gillespie's 11-year-old brother, John, was hospitalized at Children's for ulcerative colitis last year, she wanted to do something to help him, and other patients, from getting bored. Katie got her principal and the student council of Robert E. Melican Middle School on board and started a drive to collect videos, DVDs and books. Even though John is no longer hospitalized, Katie wanted to organize the drive again this year and collected 4,000 (which took up six carloads) items. The drive included other Northboro elementary schools and schools in Southboro. Katie's friends Kristin Koch, Robyn McInnis and Maggie Shields have put together a Web site, teens4kids.org, to help with their efforts.

Blood Donor of the month

Congratulations to the Children's Hospital Boston's April Blood Donor of the month, Gerry McGrath! A former school teacher, McGrath, began giving blood in 1982 when a coworker's child was being treated at Children's for leukemia. She required regular blood transfusions and Gerry became a regular donor. He has his own special bond with Children's since had a throat infection as an infant and underwent a life-saving procedure.

Now retired, he loves spending time with his grandchildren and stays very active, but he also makes time to give pints, which he says give him, "a wonderful feeling of satisfaction." After more than 25 years and 14 gallons of blood, McGrath continues to donate every 56 days. He enjoys spending time with Children's staff and likes the feeling of helping the kids. His message to those contemplating giving blood at Children's is that it's "quick, painless and easy!"

If you're interested in giving a little back, or would like more information donating blood, please do not hesitate to call the Blood Donor Center at ext. 5-6677.