Makeover at Martha Eliot

New signs have been installed outside Children's Martha Eliot Health Center (MEHC) with Children's logo on them to increase the center's visibility within the community and enhance awareness of Children's relationship with the Jamaica Plain health center. Also, construction is underway for a new Early Intervention playroom for community children and patients enrolled in the Community Early Intervention Program. The playroom is slated to open this month and is replacing MEHC's registration area, which has been incorporated into a new Patient Service Center.

One of the best places to work

Children's has ranked in the Boston Globe's 100 Top Places to Work. This is the first year for the ranking, which identifies leading workplaces in Massachusetts. Children's ranks 16th on the overall list and 5th on the Top 25 Large Workplaces list. Children's was also recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in Academia by The Scientist. In the November 2008 issue, The Scientist lists the top 40 U.S. institutions and ranks Children's 31st. Each of these rankings are based on feedback provided by our employees about their work environment. Thank you to those who shared their thoughts.

International Day

On Nov. 20, Children's and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute teamed up to hold the 4th International Day celebration. The Smith Family room at Dana-Farber was transformed into a gathering of nations with displays representing the mosaic of countries, cultures and languages that make up our diverse patient families. Participants watched traditional live music and dance performances and tasted delicious foods from an array of cultures.

Holiday gift "cods"

Fresh fish on your plate could mean a fresh start for a child. For every gift card purchased through Dec. 31, Legal Sea Foods will make a donation to pediatric institutions, including Children's. Helping kids through gift card sales is a Legal Sea Foods holiday tradition. Last year more than $80,000 was donated to support the work of researcher Len Zon, MD, director of Stem Cell Research, whose study of zebra fish is leading to a better understanding of diseases.

Revved Up for Children's

The New England Revolution recently sprinted off the field and into Children's to spend time with some of their biggest fans—our patients. Players signed autographs, gave gifts and cracked jokes with children. One lucky patient interviewed striker Taylor Twellman (right) for the hospital's "Midweek Morning Show."