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A blog about life in a specialty teaching hospital
We enjoy hearing from our readers. Please email us to suggest a topic for our blog or to offer a guest post about your experience at Mass. Eye and Ear. Thank you!
July 31, 2014
Not Your Average 'Meet and Greet'
As the sun set over the Charles River, providing a perfect backdrop for the President's Reception to Celebrate New Trainees at Mass. Eye and Ear, a metaphorical sun just might have been rising on the careers of Mass. Eye and Ear's future leaders.
Dr Aaron Remenschneider, a fellow.
In other ways, though, it wasn't your average networking night. If one could gaze into a crystal ball, who knows which – if any – of these trainees might become the next Joan Miller, M.D., Chief and Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology; Steven Rauch, M.D., Director of the Vestibular Division; Mike McKenna, M.D., Director of the Division of Otology and Neurotology; or established practitioners like Kathy Colby, M.D., Ph.D.; or Lucy Young, M.D., Ph.D., FACS – all physician-leaders who were once Mass. Eye and Ear residents or fellows.
So not only was the president's reception a chance for M.D.s, Ph.D.s and M.B.A.s to "talk shop" and get to know one another on a steamy summer night, it just might have been the launching pad for Mass. Eye and Ear's future leaders.
View some of Mass. Eye and Ear's current – and perhaps future – leaders.
-- Joe O'Shea (Public Affairs)
July 29, 2014
Generous -- and Constant -- Friends
It's not easy being a researcher these days. Not only do researchers have to conceive an idea, scientifically prove it valid (or not), test it every which way under stringent regulations, present it in meetings that take them away from their families, write papers about each step of the process, which may or may not be published...but they also have to raise funds by writing applications for grants to support each of these efforts.
Thank goodness for foundations like Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB).
RPB has been a steadfast and steady supporter during what has become an increasingly difficult research-funding environment. To date, the organization has awarded grants totaling more than $8,870,315 to Harvard Medical School (HMS) and its researchers, many of them from Mass. Eye and Ear. That's an astounding vote of confidence from the leading non-profit whose vision is to see its way to a cure for blindness.
Read about the grants RPB recently awarded the Harvard Medical School Department of Ophthalmology, and to Drs. Lucia Sobrin, Michael Gilmore and Eric Pierce. And if you see someone from RPB, please give them a hug for us all -- we appreciate their support, and more importantly, our patients do, too.
-- Mary Leach (Public Affairs)
July 28, 2014
Patients Supporting Patients
Elise may be smaller than her new friend, Kara, but the support she and her mom are providing is huge. Elise and her mom stopped to see Kara, who was clearly excited to have a young visitor. The two girls have much in common.
Despite the difference in size, the tots are almost the same age. Both live in other parts of the country and travel to Mass. Eye and Ear for their care. Both were born profoundly deaf and both have auditory brainstem implants (ABIs), which are providing them with new hope for hearing.
As Elise's mom so eloquently said as she shared this photo from Mass. Eye and Ear's Facebook page, "I am sure these girls will be the best of friends. They are two weeks apart in age and now both have ABIs. They met yesterday and she gave Elise the biggest hug. She was one day out of surgery and doing amazing! Activation day can't get here soon enough now!"
We can't wait to see how those girls grow up "Mass. Eye and Ear" together. We are sure we will hear so many good things about them - and from them.
-- Mary Leach (Public Affairs)
July 24, 2014
By Giving, You Shall Receive
When I was asked to provide support at free vision clinics that our hospital offers young adults, I was happy to help. I had never taken part in such a community outreach activity, so I wasn't sure what to expect, but I did keep an open mind.
Conducted in conjunction with the Vision Coalition and Year Up Boston, both of our vision clinics took place in July at Mass. Eye and Ear, Longwood, located only a stone's throw from Boston's health care hub.
So, after getting off the MBTA Green Line at the Fenwood stop, and dodging cars on Huntington Ave., we made our way to this technological wonder, full of natural light and overlooking Boston's Mission Hill neighborhood.
Over the course of two days, Drs. Yan Jiang and Mark Bernardo conducted in-depth examinations of 23 students from Year Up, a non-profit that gives low-income young adults the tools required to thrive in a business environment.
After screenings and exams, prescriptions were issued, and the students made their way to the first-floor optical shop, where opticians Joe Erickson, Martha Hui and Tom Merrill outfitted the "kids" with stylish glasses, courtesy of the Vision Coalition. If the truth is to be told, this was the most enjoyable part of the day for the students, who offered advice – some unsolicited – on what "look" worked on their classmates.
While collecting paperwork from the students, I had the opportunity to chat with a couple of bright young men in the waiting area. These weren't your average college kids.
The strapping Junior, an aspiring musician, photographer and Renaissance man, gave me an impromptu origami lesson to share with my youngest child. "I just want to learn all I possibly can in this life," said the affable Junior, who offered to trade music lessons for photography lessons, and quickly bonded with technician Susan Graham over their love of music.
The well-spoken Daniel was equally friendly, but in a more mild-mannered way. "I've been really impressed with the high-level executives who speak to us at Year Up," said Daniel. "They've inspired me to believe that with hard work and dedication, I can be a success." This thoughtful young man, who boasts an impressive maturity – presence, you might call it – that belies his young age, clearly articulated what he's looking for in a career (and in life), and we connected on LinkedIn before the day was out.
The lesson I learned? By giving you shall receive. By taking part in a clinic to help low-income students, I walked away with a sense of hope. The world just might be in good hands after all.
Learn about Mass. Eye and Ear's Community Benefits Program.
-- Joe O'Shea (Public Affairs)
July 23, 2014
Setting Our Sights on Cures
They came from across the country, from towns with funny names like Moody (Ala.) and Chino (Calif.). They walked together, mothers and fathers with children in tow, holding sticky little hands and pushing double-wide strollers. One group comprised four generations, each wearing a t-shirt sporting the name of their youngest and the foundation founded in his honor. Different individuals, from different places, but all united with one hope: to find a cure that will stop children from losing their vision.
Mass. Eye and Ear recently had the honor of co-sponsoring the Foundation for Retinal Research's bi-annual family conference held in Boston. For two days, our clinicians and researchers helped to provide support and information about Leber congenital amarousis (LCA), a childhood onset retinal disease.
Day one was spent at the clinics at Mass. Eye and Ear. Our clinicians saw children from 34 families, providing eye exams, imaging, discussion about genetics and genetic testing
and consultation with a retinal physician. Drs. Eric Pierce, Jason Comander and our two retinal fellows, Dr. Xiang Werdich and Brian Hafler, joined members of a
number of services to make the day go smoothly. A special behind-the-scenes tour of the Ocular Genomics lab at Schepens was held for all who wanted join.
Day two was a scientific conference at Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, where our researchers formally presented their work and the families had an opportunity to have some fun.
If the feedback on the hospital's Facebook page is any indication, the event was quite useful to participants. We know seeing and meeting these amazing families helped us remember why the work we are doing is so important -- and why we have to work harder and faster. Work double-time, everyone -- the kids need you!
-- Mary Leach (Public Affairs)
July 21, 2014
Mass. Eye and Ear's LinkedIn Company Page is Open for BusinessWhile Massachusetts Eye and Ear has had a LinkedIn company page for some time, we've slowly begun to make greater use of this resource. We're now ready to encourage LinkedIn members to "follow" our page and share our news and announcements with their respective career networks.
By engaging with the LinkedIn community in a more active fashion, we aim to not only interact with other businesses and health care organizations, but also to connect with potential supporters and high-quality job candidates who can help us to achieve our mission. Ideally, we'd like to connect with patients or potential patients as well.
On LinkedIn, we'll strive to inform followers and visitors about:
- Mass. Eye and Ear's mission to:
- Provide exceptional clinical care.
- Conduct cutting-edge translational and bench research.
- Teach tomorrow's clinical and research leaders, as well as today's medical community.
- Our "big audacious goal" of enabling all children to see and hear at some point in their lives.
- Our cutting-edge research and clinical procedures, as well as our high-quality "routine" procedures.
- The opportunity to work for an established organization – rich in history – that allows employees to engage in work that enables them to fulfill their professional potential.
- Our culture and values.
Whether or not you're a LinkedIn user, you can view our Mass. Eye and Ear page at www.linkedin.com/company/mass-eye-and-ear. If you're a LinkedIn user, you can follow Mass. Eye and Ear to keep an eye on our postings and share with your network.
If you're not a LinkedIn user, now is a good chance to sign up (for free) and "kick the tires" of this growing social network, which boasts more than 300 million members. Not only is it a great tool to help manage your career network, but it's also a terrific way to stay abreast of best practices in your field, and to engage with groups of professionals with similar interests.
If you have any questions, or would like to offer suggestions about what you'd like to see on our LinkedIn page, please contact Joe O'Shea of Public Affairs at email@example.com.
-- Joe O'Shea (Public Affairs)
July 16, 2014
Telling Stories, Sharing Hope
A few months ago I sat down with Andrew and his mom to hear their story. They were visiting the hospital for a laser hair removal appointment with Dr. Oon Tian Tan. Andrew was born with Microtia and had come to Mass. Eye and Ear to see Dr. Tessa Hadlock for ear reconstruction. Dr. Tan was performing the laser treatments on the grafted skin of Andrew's new ear.
Andrew and his mom allowed me to film our conversation in the hopes that others with Microtia would benefit from hearing his story and feel a little more comfortable coming in to get the care they need.
I was honored to meet Andrew and his mother and have had the privilege of meeting many Mass. Eye and Ear patients who allow me to share their story on our website and social media channels. Hearing their stories and learning what their experience was like before they were at Mass. Eye and Ear -- and how our caregivers have changed their lives --- is such a gift. Patients like Allison and Craig had such drastic improvements in their quality of life, thanks to the surgeries they had here. My hope is that others will see these and other videos from Mass. Eye and Ear and gain hope that they can be helped as well.
And this is a gift that keeps on giving. On the sixth year anniversary of her son's surgery, Seamus' mom emailed me to say that she still watches his video to remind herself how lucky they are. It's great to know that the result of our conversation continues to help not only others, but also those who told their stories to us!
Leah's Story: Parathyroid Surgery from Mass. Eye and Ear on Vimeo.
Leah shares her story of cancer and removal via parathyroid surgery at Mass. Eye and Ear. She is grateful to Dr. Gregory Randolph and the whole care team she saw in Boston.
Brad's Story: PRK Laser Vision Correction from Mass. Eye and Ear on Vimeo.
After years of struggling with poor eyesite, Brad finally decided that glasses were becoming too much for him and his active lifestyle. Now Brad is able to play with his two children and even joined the Mass. Eye and Ear Boston Marathon Team in 2014!
You can browse our patient story video library for a little inspiration. And if you are interested in sharing one of your own stories, please email us.
A very big THANK YOU to all that have shared your story so far. It's truly a privilege to speak to you all.
--Meaghan M. O'Rourke (Communications)
July 15, 2014
And the Survey Says . . .
We are proud of the quality of care provided by our staff every day, but once a year U.S. News & World Report weighs in with a more public announcement in the magazine's "Best Hospitals" survey. Massachusetts Eye and Ear generally fares pretty well, traditionally placing in the top 10 in the nation for one or more of our specialities. Still, we hold our collective breath on the day that the rankings come out.
This year, we fared even better, placing fourth in both ophthalmology (eye care) and otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat, or ENT). We held steady in eye care, and moved up a few notches in ENT.
While we are proud of the public recognition, we get more gratification from the sentiments expressed by our patients on our Facebook page.
Here are a few of their comments, reproduced here as originally written by the patients (including multiple exclamation points):
"Super thankful for Mass Eye and Ear/Dr. Mukai!"
"Beyond thankful that we landed in the hands of Dr. Cohen!!"
"Congratulations, MEEI! It was an honor to run the Boston Marathon for you this year."
"YAY!!! The best !!! Congrats!! and hats off to Dr. Mukai too!!!!!"
But one patient may have said it best: "Congratulations to MEE . . . Especially Dr. Gragoudas. You saved my eye and you saved my life."
We ran into Dr. Gragoudas on the 12th floor this morning, while giving a tour to a guest from Harvard Medical School. The doctor smiled kindly and took a few moments out of his busy day to greet our visitor. Little did our visitor know that she was shaking the hand of a man who saves eyes and lives.
Keep up the great, life-changing work, Drs. Gragoudas, Mukai and Cohen! Your patients appreciate your efforts -- not just on U.S. News "Best Hospitals" survey day, but every day. And we know you are pleased to have helped . . .
-- Mary Leach (Public Affairs)
July 14, 2014
Everyday Heroes
Last Friday was "movie day" at Camp Harbor View on Boston's Long Island, and "super heroes" were in good supply: Captain America . . . GI Joe . . . and members of the "Vision Team" from Mass. Eye and Ear and Children's Hospital Ophthalmology Foundation.
everyday heroes, as they helped
to make the vision screening
on July 11 run smoothly.
Seeing these kids, the caregivers, and their camp counselers in action reminded me of the "everyday heroes" who help make good health possible: the mothers who make the appointments, the sons who bring their fathers for surgery, the friend who holds another's hand when she gets disheartening news -- each person plays an important role.
We aren't in this movie we call life alone -- thank goodness for the cast of characters that provides the support that we need.
Here's to everyday super heroes -- who is yours?
-- Mary Leach (Public Affairs)
July 8, 2014
Inspiration Everywhere
The dawning of each new day is a new opportunity for our clinicians and researchers to help people see, hear, taste, smell and just plain experience life.
We couldn't resist posting this great photo because it illustrates the concept so well: a picture is worth a 1,000 words. Seeing the sun rise on this Virginia beach is our inspiration to help preserve the senses...what is your inspiration? Email us what inspires you for possible use in a future Musings post.
-- Mary Leach (Public Affairs)
July 3, 2014
Cool Science: Regrowing Corneas from Human Stem Cells
Some days make us want to climb to our hospital's rooftop, overlooking the Charles River, and shout to the world: "Cool science is happening right here at Mass. Eye and Ear!"
Today is definitely one of these days.
Our researchers, based at Schepens Eye Research Institute, have identified a way to enhance regrowth of human corneal tissue to restore vision, using a molecule known as ABCB5 that acts as a marker for hard-to-find limbal stem cells. This remarkable finding provides promise to burn victims, victims of chemical injury and others with damaging eye diseases.
Bruce Ksander, Ph.D., Paraskevi Kolovou, M.D., and a team of scientists from several Boston hospitals were able to employ antibodies detecting ABCB5 to zero in on the stem cells in tissue from donated cadavers, using the stem cells regrow anatomically, fully functional human corneas in mice. (An aside: Thank you to all of you who plan leave parts of yourself to help advance science.)
The findings are published in Nature. Read about this groundbreaking work and see a photo of the new cornea.
And if you hear somone shouting, "Cool science at Mass. Eye and Ear!" from way up high in Boston, don't be alarmed. It's just an impressed writer who is so grateful to have so many interesting stories to tell.
-- Mary Leach (Public Affairs)
July 3, 2014
Despite Hurricane Arthur, Boston's Fireworks Shift, It's Business As Usual at Mass. Eye and Ear
Regardless of When, Where You Enjoy Your Fireworks, Do So Safely
Sometimes, thanks to Mother Nature, Fourth of July fireworks might take place on the third of July . . . or the fifth . . . or maybe even the sixth.
Due to the menacing presence of Arthur, a category 1 hurricane that's approaching Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, this morning, Boston has moved its traditional Independence Day party to July 3, a day early, making life a wee bit hectic at Massachusetts Eye and Ear, which overlooks the Esplanade and is located in the heart of The Hub's July 4 festivities.
Luckily, the nature of hospital life requires our dedicated staff to expect the unexpected, so our doctors, nurses and administrators plan on seeing all patients as planned, and making the experience as painless as possible for patients making the trek to Boston.
So whether you plan on enjoying fireworks on the third, fourth, fifth or sixth this weekend, our clinicians strongly urge you to leave the fireworks shows to the professionals.
While it may seem obvious, it's worth stating in plain language: Fireworks can cause serious injuries. During the 30 days around July 4, U.S. emergency rooms are full of people suffering from fireworks-related burns, lacerations, eye injuries, vision loss and dismemberment. And death isn't out of the question.
Learn more about fireworks-related injuries this time of year, and how we can help in case of an emergency.
-- Joe O'Shea (Public Affairs)
June 30, 2014
Bicycle Commuters
First, a disclaimer: I am bicycle commuter. For most of the last 18 years I have rolled into work from across the Longfellow Bridge to my office near Mass. Eye and Ear's main hospital.
Most every morning, I stuff my salad and yoghurt into a well-worn messenger bag, don a bright yellow 'city worker' jacket and reflective vest, and ride. You can see me pedalling through Charles Circle, helmet on head (thus the perpetual 'hat head'). I'm the one who is not blowing through the red light. Life's too short and I have lived just long enough to know the extra few seconds are just not worth it.
I am in good company. Many of the doctors and researchers at Mass. Eye and Ear are also free-wheeling to work each day. I ran into Dr. Matt Mori the other day on the back stairs while he was on his way to the ENT clinic. Dr. Mori cycles two miles each way to the hospital as a way to get his blood pumping and start the day right. He rides all year round and -- like a postman -- doesn't let a little rain, snow or potential frostbite stop him. He, too, rides a mountain bike -- and he also follows the rules of the road to stay safe.
So, as you are out and about, please keep an eye out for people on bikes. You never know . . . your doctor, nurse, researcher or Musings blogger might be the one riding.
Wishing you all a very safe day, whatever your mode of travel.
-- Mary Leach (Public Affairs)
June 27, 2014
Lessons Learned from Marathon Tragedy
As a major research center, our physicians sometimes reach out to patients to ask if they will consider partipating in research studies that may help others far into the future. Michael (far left) and Heather, shown here with Drs. Bradley Welling and Daniel Lee (far right), are two patients who answered the call.
Heather and Michael are Boston Marathon bombing survivors who suffered hearing damage due to the blasts. They -- and many others -- are participating in a study that our researchers are leading to learn how the blasts impacted hearing. Their hope is that what they learn will help improve outcomes for others affected by acoustic trauma in the future.
These patients summed it up nicely when they shared their stories with Mass. Eye and Ear's Trustees at a recent gathering; they wanted to do something to help.
Watch a video about the study by Harvard Catalyst, Harvard's Clinical and Translational Science Center.
Michael took his commitment to furthering research one step further when he ran the Boston Marathon to raise funds for hearing research. This was Michael's first marathon, but we are guessing it won't be his last.
Thank you, Heather and Michael, for your selfless contribution. We look forward to sharing the study's results soon.
-- Mary Leach (Public Affairs)
June 24, 2014
While Enjoying Fenway's Feast for the Senses, Mass. Eye and Ear Staff Aid Boston Youth
Whether it's the vivid sight of the emerald green grass; the imposing presence of the 37-foot tall Green Monster; the unforgiving feel of the cramped wooden seats; the smell of peanuts and beer; the thunderous "thwap" of a rising fastball hitting the catcher's mitt; or the ear-splitting crack of Big Papi's bat connecting with a 95-mile-per-hour heater, Fenway Park offers a feast for the senses on game days.
On a recent sun-splashed morning, the crack of wooden bats was replaced with the aluminum ping of softball bats, as more than 25 Greater Boston companies took to the Fenway diamond in Field of Dreams 2014, an annual softball challenge that supports Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD), an organization that aims to provide the city's at-risk youth with the tools required to live a productive life.
Squaring off in the second game of the day, Team Mass. Eye and Ear took on cross-town rival (and real-life partner) Children's Hospital in what evolved into an offensive showdown. Despite the Children's squad boasting a clear age advantage, Longwood's Finest had to rely on a late-inning surge to edge Mass. Eye and Ear's "graybeards," 18-17.
Team Mass. Eye and Ear benefitted from the hot bats of President John Fernandez, Dr. Brad Welling, and Dr. Ramon Franco, who all collected outfield hits that landed in the shadow of the Green Monster, while the solid glovework of infielders Franco, Dr. Sunil Eappen and Dr. Bob Bannish snuffed out several Children's rallies.
While having your name announced as you step to the plate at Fenway fulfilled a fantasy for countless participants, the real winner was ABCD's SummerWorks, a jobs and education program that places young Bostonians in summer jobs at more than 340 locations throughout the Hub. In addition to earning an income, students benefit from career mentoring, tutoring and life skills workshops.
Last year, SummerWorks provided jobs for about 800 teens, but more than 6,200 applied. To learn more, visit www.bostonabcd.org.
-- Joe O'Shea (Public Affairs)
June 19, 2014
Giving the Gift of Life
While many people are planning trips to the beach, thinking of ways to cool down, and relaxing with friends and family, some aren't as lucky. During the summer months, the need for donated blood rises, yet the number of donations goes down. Luckily, Mass. General Blood Donor Center is right around the corner, and the center makes it convenient to donate.
There are two ways you can donate: either make an appointment at the Fruit Street location, or stop at a blood drive located near you. The entire process only takes about 30 to 40 minutes. Once you register, a nurse or phlebotomy technician will go through your medical history with you to make sure you are eligible to donate. The actual blood donation takes eight to 10 minutes. After donating, you get to relax in the refreshment room (free cookies!), and then you can go on with the rest of your day.
Less than an hour of your time can save up to three lives at one of the hospitals that benefit from the center: Mass. General, Mass. Eye and Ear, Shriners Burn Institute for Children, the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, or Mass. General for Children.
Although it is summer, the need for blood never goes on vacation. Please consider donating this season. You may come home with a new T-shirt, too!
For more information, you can visit the Mass. General Blood Donation Center website.
To make an appointment, email email@example.com.
-- Alexa Marsh (Public Affairs)
June 17, 2014
Getting Closer to Cures
Significant progress has been made in developing new treatments for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) -- and most of these advances have taken place in the labs at Mass. Eye and Ear.
Dr. Kip Connor, Principal Investigator in the Howe Laboratory, and his team are working a new research angle that is quite intriging: Can dietary factors prevent or stop the damage in the "wet" form of AMD, the form that is characterized by abnormal blood vessel growth in the eye.
Connor (pictured at left, with his team) recently explained his motivation to a reporter. "The current standard of care for individuals with neovascular AMD is based on the targeting and inhibiting of vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF – these drugs include Avastin, Lucentis, Eylea., etc], a protein that promotes both angiogenesis and vascular permeability. These drugs are a godsend to individuals with this disease, as prior to their introduction there was little a clinician could do to save the vision of these patients.
"Interestingly, much of the seminal work elucidating the role of VEGF in AMD was done here at Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School by Drs. Joan Miller, Anthony Adamis, Patricia D'Amore and Evangelos Gragoudas, so this is a huge part of our history," Connor added.
"Although VEGF–targeted therapy attenuates angiogenesis and vascular permeability, it does not lead to complete vascular regression or disease resolution," Connor said. "Individuals who respond to this drug treatment need an intraocular injection about every six weeks to keep these vessels at bay. Moreover, in patients treated with VEGF antagonists, substantial vision improvement occurs in only one-third of treated patients, while one-sixth unfortunately progress to legal blindness. Thus, there is still an urgent need for safe nutritional or pharmacological interventions for the treatment of wet AMD."
Dr. Connor and his team's paper -- due to be published in PNAS Online Early this week -- describes their research to explore whether diets with certain Omega-3 fatty acids proved helpful in a mouse model with wet AMD. Learn more about their findings.
This research has not been tested in people, but it is a small step -- and in research, every step counts. Kudos to Kip and his team . . . and please don't stop; our patients, and patients everywhere, need you.
-- Mary Leach (Public Affairs)
June 13, 2014
Nurses Praised for Courage, Professionalism and Grace
While we like to think that Massachusetts Eye and Ear nurses are always at the top of their game, some days stand out more than others. Citing last year's unique challenges – most notably caring for the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing – Mass. Eye and Ear President & CEO John Fernandez recently praised our nurses for their tremendous courage, professionalism and grace.
"Not only do you offer compassionate care, but your expertise in our specialties means that you can't find your skills anywhere else in the world," said the president, who delivered remarks at the annual Nurses Appreciation Dinner, held earlier this spring. "We are blessed to have you."
After the president's heartfelt thanks were offered, Chief Nursing Officer Eileen Lowell, R.N., M.M., recognized last year's outstanding nurses. We thought you'd like to learn more about this year's nursing award winners.
- Joey Hall, R.N., B.S.N., earned the James Schneider Memorial Scholarship.
- Nurse Manager Kathy Lennon, R.N., was honored with the Norman Knight Excellence in Leadership Award.
- Nurses Pauline Bedard, R.N., Joan Cannata, R.N., and Julie Dorgan, R.N., B.S.N., all received the Norman Knight Excellence in Nursing Clinical Practice Award.
The Norman Knight awards were made possible by a great man, Norman Knight (pictured sharing a laugh with one of his favorite nurses). A retired broadcasting executive and member of the Massachusetts Broadcasting Hall of Fame, Mr. Knight is one of Boston's most generous philanthropists. A longtime friend of Mass. Eye and Ear, Mr. Knight is a true advocate of quality nursing, and holds deep affection for all those who offer compassionate care to others.
Mr. Knight recently made possible the distribution of awards to a pair of young physicians, whom we'll write about in a future post.
-- Joe O'Shea (Public Affairs)
June 11, 2014
Planting the Seeds for Reseach Success
Dr. Daniel Polley had a great idea. He wanted to develop a game that involved sound, teach people how to use it, and to see if their brain (and ability to hear) changed as a result. What he didn't have was the funding to take this seed of an idea and put it into the research ground to see what grows.
Enter the Curing Kids Fund, a program that is made possible by generous friends of Mass. Eye and Ear's Sense-sation! Gala.
Dr. Polley was awarded a modest grant, which provided the seed money for this idea. This week his team reaped the benefits of their work, so to speak, when their paper was published in the prestigious PNAS Early Edition.
Learn more about the facinating findings that have the potential to help people hear better in noisy environments in the years to come.
-- Mary Leach (Public Affairs)
June 9, 2014
Growing Up Mass. Eye and Ear
We start caring for some of our patients soon after birth and continue throughout their lives. Elle is a great example. She came to Mass. Eye and Ear after failing her newborn hearing screening. Specialized testing showed that Elle was profoundly deaf, but thankfully a good candidate for cochlear implants.
While still very young, Elle had bilateral cochlear implant surgery by Dr. Daniel Lee (with Elle in photo, at right), and she has thrived in every way. We tell Elle's story in this video that was a hit at our Sense-sation! Gala.
But getting the implants was not the end of Elle's relationship with Mass. Eye and Ear's caregivers. She continues to work regularly with the great team in Audiology, which includes Drs. Ackland Jones, Meghann Kyle (both pictured at left with Elle) and many others.
Elle was recently at Mass. Eye and Ear for an appointment in Audiology. Dressed like a princess (her favorite outfit), she ran into Dr. Lee, dressed in his scrubs. "She had the biggest smile afterward," Mom reports, "and said 'I can't believe Dr. Lee did surgery on me as a baby -- he must be good because I didn't feel any pain!" We're smiling too, Elle. :-)
Patients like Elle seem to become part of the Mass. Eye and Ear "family." We have the honor of watching them grow, evolve and -- as our saying goes -- sense life.
Interesting sidenote: Dr. Barbara Herrmann helped develop the very first newborn hearing screening test. She's still here, helping kids today and refining her research. How cool is that?
-- Mary Leach (Public Affairs)
June 5, 2014
10 Things You Should Know About Positional Vertigo
Is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) a rare and exotic disease? No, on most clinic days, I see at least one person with BPPV, and often, I see several. For some, BPPV is a minor annoyance. For others, it's a nightmare of dizziness, loss of balance, nausea, and inability to work or participate in family activities.
BPPV is a disorder causing brief, sometimes terrifying sensations of movement -- of the environment or the patient -- when in fact, there is no movement.
BPPV occurs, when one or more motion sensing, calcium-based crystals called otoconia break down and dislodge from the inner ear utricle. Otoconia begin as normal elements giving weight to the utricle, helping it sense acceleration and/or gravity.
When otoconia break down, the resultant debris floats freely, in the fluid of the inner ear -- think "snow in a snow globe." Then, debris may float into one of the inner ear's rotation sensors, known as semicircular canals. These canals are fluid filled tubes sensing fluid flow with the slightest head movements. Using the analogy of snow in a snow globe, if you have snow floating in a semicircular canal, head movements may produce violent sensations of spinning. This can happen when lying down, getting out of bed, turning in bed, or looking up.
So, with that preamble, here are 10 things you should know about positional vertigo:
1. If you woke up with vertigo, it is likely you have BPPV.
2. If you have vertigo that comes on when you lie down, it is likely you have BPPV.
3. If you have had more than 2 episodes of severe vertigo, there's a strong possibility you have BPPV, though your doctor should also think about other inner ear diseases, as well as migraine and stroke.
4. If you have BPPV in both ears, it will almost certainly throw off your balance.
5. If you have a past history of migraine and develop BPPV, you may notice an increase in headaches or light sensitivity. These symptoms will likely decrease after the BPPV has been successfully treated.
6. After BPPV has been treated, it's a good idea for the doctor to ensure that dizziness, imbalance and related symptoms resolve-- if not, there is more work to be done.
7. If your vertigo makes you nauseated, and you do not have any vestibular tests planned, you may want to ask your doctor if it would be all right to take a medication for vertigo, 30 minutes before your appointment. This can make BPPV treatment much more comfortable.
8. Curing a bout of BPPV can require persistence. Doctors always talk about the "easy" cases, miraculously cured on the first visit. However, I have seen patients who needed treatment on 10 different days in one month to finally clear the symptoms.
9. Another version of Rule 8: if you've "had BPPV for a year" or more, it's likely you haven't been treated enough.
10. In some cases, BPPV follows a previous inner ear infection that has damaged the inner ear and/or vestibular nerve. If this is the case, and if you still have symptoms after successful treatment of BPPV, the best treatment may be vestibular physical therapy, intended to train the ear and brain to work well together.
-- Gregory T. Whitman, M.D. (Otoneurology)
Disclaimer: If you are dizzy, you should see a physician. I consider new vertigo an emergency, until proven otherwise. Though BPPV is often initially diagnosed as possible stroke, it is also true that stroke and other serious conditions may be initially diagnosed as BPPV. Judgment and medical expertise are needed to get the diagnosis right. Dr. Whitman specializes in otoneurology and dizziness disorders.
June 4, 2014
Inside the Tillotson Laboratory for Cell Biology . . .
The road to improving quality of life for our patients has many stops along the way, from basic science investigations that help us understand how the body works to the exceptional patient care delivered through successful treatment. In the Neil and Louise Tillotson Laboratory for Cell Biology of the Inner Ear, directed by Albert Edge, Ph.D., researchers hope to soon pave the way from basic science to treatment for human deafness.
Researchers in this lab -- one of the largest in a collection of hearing research labs at Mass. Eye and Ear called the Eaton-Peabody Laboratories -- primarily focus on hair cell loss and regeneration. Hair cells are tiny sensory cells found in a part of the ear known as the cochlea. The most common form of hearing loss, sensorineural, is caused by the loss of these cells.
Currently, there is no known treatment to restore hearing in deaf humans, because mammalian hair cells do not regenerate once they are lost. They do, however, regenerate in birds and fish, and in neonatal mice. Dr. Edge and his colleagues are working to find ways to regenerate hair cells in adult mammals. More than one year ago, they took a big step forward.
In January 2014, Dr. Edge and colleagues from Mass. Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School showed for the first time that hair cells can be regenerated in an adult mammalian ear by using a drug to stimulate resident cells to become new hair cells, resulting in partial recovery of hearing in mouse ears damaged by noise trauma.
The finding holds great potential for future therapeutic application that may someday reverse deafness in humans.
I recently followed Judith Kempfle, M.D., a postdoctoral research fellow, and Will McLean, a graduate student, around the lab to see them in action.
Judith has been working in the laboratory on and off since 2008. She is currently completing her otolaryngology residency in Germany, while also completing a postdoctoral research fellowship at Mass. Eye and Ear. Will is a graduate student in the Harvard-MIT Program in Speech and Hearing Bioscience and Technology.
Much of their day-to-day activities involve growing hair cells by treating tissue samples with different agents.
Their work is all part of an overarching goal of this institution to find successful treatments for human deafness.
-- Suzanne Day (Publications Manager, Department of Otolaryngology)
June 2, 2014
Restoring Vision . . . And Lives
What do you say to the team of doctors who saved your vision, not once but twice?
"Hello doc(s), so great to see you," is just one possible response.
A grateful patient, Lou, recently answered that question in front of a spellbound audience at the Boston Harbor Hotel. Lou shared his story with a group of the hospital's most generous friends at our annual Founders' Day Luncheon. His vision was restored by the use of a special device created at Mass. Eye and Ear called the Boston K-Pro.
"The restoration of one's vision is like being reborn," said Lou, pictured in the middle. "To see clearly after five long years is beyond description."
Later, Lou described how Drs. Jim Chodosh (pictured at left) and Claes Dohlman (far right) restored more than his vision -- they restored his life, and the lives of those who loved him.
Lou's story is so inspiring that we want to share it with you in its entirety. Thank you, Lou, for an inspiring talk. We hope to see you soon.
-- Mary Leach (Public Affairs)
May 29, 2014
A Breath of Fresh Air . . .
Every breath that Juan takes is proof that Operation Airway works.
Dr. Christopher Hartnick and his team's just published a paper shows that they run the first sustainable, multidisciplinary surgical airway medical mission around.
Case in point: Juan's story -- http://
Without physicians and nurses like these, children like Juan will may never, unaided, experience a cool breath of fresh air, something most of us take for granted. Caregivers like these help us all breathe a bit easier.
-- Mary Leach (Public Affairs)
May 27, 2014
Kids Helping Kids . . .
We never cease to be amazed by the generosity of our patients -- no matter how old they are. Case in point: Narissa McGill. Narissa is one of Dr. Tessa Hadlock's "smile surgery" patients.
Born and soon orphaned in China, Narissa's face was paralyzed on one side following a surgery. Her parents saw her photo online and fell in love. They adopted her and brought her home to Massachusetts, where they thought she was perfect. As Narissa grew, she realized that she looked different and wanted to be like other children. A joyful child, she wanted to smile, really smile. Taking a nerve from her leg, Dr. Hadlock made that dream come true. It's a long process, but Narissa's smile is still growing and improving. You can see her story, along with Lydia's story, in this video.
Narissa helps other kids by collecting for the Curing Kids Fund.
Last year, Narissa was one of our 'cub' reporters at our Sense-sation Gala. You can see her in action in this video. She and the other kids helped us to raise more than $1.1 million for pediatric programs at Mass. Eye and Ear.
This weekend, Narissa decided she wanted to do more. She saw that neighbors were having a busy yard sale, so she put chips and cookies in a basket, soda, juice and water in a cooler, and made a sign. She asked for donations for the Curing Kids Fund as shoppers walked by. Mom reports that a check will be in the mail for $63.56.
Thanks, Narissa, for all that you do for kids at Mass. Eye and Ear. And thank you to all who help make the lives of children a bit brighter. Keep on smiling!
-- Mary Leach (Public Affairs)
May 23, 2014
A Memorial Day Thanks to Our Veterans . . .
Only a 10-minute walk from the hospital, the Massachusetts Military Heroes Fund recently planted a "garden" of 37,000 flags that cascade down the hill from the Boston Common's Soldiers and Sailors Monument, honoring the approximately 37,000 Massachusetts men and women who have fallen in the service of their country since the American Revolution.
As Memorial Day approaches, we thank our staff and patients who have served, and remember those who have fallen while fighting for -- and defending -- our nation's liberty.
While there has been no active combat on U.S. soil since the Civil War, terrorist bombings in the United States have caused terrible trauma in recent decades. In the immediate aftermath of last year's Boston Marathon bombings, Mass. Eye and Ear staff played a key role in the treatment of marathon runners and supporters who suffered war-like ear damage and hearing loss (also known as acoustic trauma).
Never before had Mass. Eye and Ear treated so many acoustic trauma patients in such a short time.
Because blast-trauma patients are rare in this nation, Mass. Eye and Ear Drs. Alicia Quesnel and Daniel Lee, both of the Otology and Neurotology Division, and Dr. Aaron Remenschneider, a chief resident in Otolaryngology, are leading a three-year study that will follow more than 130 marathon ear-injury patients as they receive ongoing long-term care at Mass. Eye and Ear and other Boston hospitals.
"We realized in the course of taking care of these patients that there are some unanswered questions regarding how to best treat ear injuries related to a bombing," Dr. Quesnel told Harvard Medical School last summer. "Some is known from the military literature, but it hasn't really been studied in this way previously."
We hope that the knowledge gained from this study will translate to better treatment for those who suffer acoustic trauma, especially veterans who experience combat-related injuries.
Learn more about the study on the Harvard Medical School website.
-- Joe O'Shea (Public Affairs)
May 20, 2014
Honors Abound . . .
Mass. Eye and Ear clinicians and researchers improve the quality of so many people's lives that its not surprising that they are honored for their efforts. What is unusual is when two of our staff receive top honors from the same organization on the same evening.
Congratulations to Drs. Joan W. Miller (at left in picture) and Patrica D'Amore for being awarded two of the Association for Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO)'s top honors at last week's annual meeting. Their contributions to ophthalmology clinical care and research are incredible so far -- we can't wait to see what their futures bring!
Read more about their awards here.
-- Mary Leach (Public Affairs)
May 19, 2014
With a Little Help from Our Friends . . .
Just about every good thing that happens at Mass. Eye and Ear is the result of a team effort. These dolls are just one example.
Thanks to the help of many friends, our pediatric unit now has a new supply of ethnically diverse dolls outfitted with tracheostomy and feeding tubes. The dolls will be used teach parents (and families, including older siblings) how to perform the complex treatment that is needed by children with airway issues.
Mass. Eye and Ear has been using dolls as a teaching tool for years, but the supply was dwindling, even as the number of children with airway issues, mainly due to premature or multiple births, has increased. And the dolls we had on hand really weren't representative of our patient population.
In steps nurse/social worker Kevin Callans, who identified the need and found a funding source: the Curing Kids Fund. The Curing Kids Fund is the beneficiary of generous gifts made at Mass. Eye and Ear's annual Sense-sation! Gala. But purchasing dolls was not enough; they had to be "tweaked" to be outfitted with trachs and G tubes to become effective tools.
Enter Jack Gurnon. Jack has lived and/or worked around the corner from Mass. Eye and Ear for most of his life. As owner of Beacon Hill's only hardware store, many of our employees know Jack from their quick trips in after work for supplies. It was natural that Kevin turn to Jack for help with her project. Using his handy tools, Jack drilled appropriately sized holes to allow the infant-sized medical equipment to be inserted.
Now children with airway issues can learn to breathe a bit easier -- thanks to a little help from our friends.
Pictured above, left to right: Mass. Eye and Ear Social Worker Kevin Callans, Owner of Charles Street Supply Jack Gurnon, Mass. Eye and Ear Child Life Specialist Ashley Hoyt, and Pediatric Unit Nurse Manager Carlene Blais.
-- Mary Leach (Public Affairs)
May 16, 2014
"So the Deaf May Hear . . ."
Extraordinary things happen on the second floor in Audiology every day.
Seniors get the hearing aids they need to hear their grandchildren laugh again. Fathers learn that their ear surgery worked -- and they now can hear. Mothers cry as children born profoundly deaf have their cochlear implants turned on and hear their parents' voices for the first time. Miracles happen in Audiology every day, but we aren't often there to witness them. Yesterday, we had the honor of sharing Elise's Hearing Day -- and we still can't stop smiling (and crying!).
Born completely deaf to Jill and Jason, a lovely couple from Austin, Texas, Elise made hearing history when at age 1 she became the youngest child in the United States to receive an auditory brainstem implant (ABI). Dr. Daniel Lee and a team of surgeons at Mass. General implanted the ABI, which can help those who aren't candidates for cochlear implants experience sound. Elise's device was turned on yesterday - and she could hear! You can watch her hear for the very first time in this video.
Jill and Jason arrived wearing "Team Elise" t-shirts on this very special day. The audiologists, doctors and other staff wore white coats or scrubs, but it was clear that everyone in the room was part of Team Elise.
We are so grateful to have been part of this special day in this place where the Latin words in our hospital seal are not just words . . . "So the blind may see, and the deaf may hear."
It doesn't get any better than that!
You can read more about Elise's journey in her parents' blog.
-- Mary Leach (Public Affairs)
May 14, 2014
Things That Make Us Smile . . .
The operating room is a sunny place, even at 8 on a cold, damp and kind-of-gray morning. We had the opportunity to stop by the ambulatory surgery floor recently and were struck by the hustle and bustle -- and by how happy everyone seemed to be, from doctors, to nurses, to orderlies -- even patients.
When we thought about it for a minute, it seemed obvious: why not smile? The OR is the place where many people start on their journey to feeling better, and the people who staff this well-oiled machine must feel good about the difference they are making in so many lives.
No wonder Drs. Daniel Lee (at left in photo) and Ben Bleier are smiling . . . they have a lot to smile about.
-- Mary Leach (Public Affairs)
May 13, 2014
26.2 miles is Wicked Fah . . .
When 102 individuals join forces, what a huge difference they can make! Team Eye and Ear reached a new milestone this week as it passed the $801,000 fundraising mark.
Training for and running 26.2 miles is a daunting enough task alone, but when you combine the need to ask friends and family to support your run financially -- now that's a huge commitment. Team Eye and Ear was clearly up to the task.
The runners come from all backgrounds and experience levels. Some are our doctors, nurses and technicians. Others are patients whose lives were changed by the care provided here. Many are the parents and children of patients who have been helped. All have the same thing in common: the drive to do good -- and to get some exercise!
We're proud of Team Eye and Ear and grateful for each member and his or her sacrifices. 26.2 miles is wicked fah...but you made it!
Hats off to Team Eye and Ear -- you are Boston Strong and Mass. Eye and Ear STRONG!
-- Mary Leach (Public Affairs)
May 12, 2014
Well, Hello, Harvey!
The scientists around here are smart people. Most of them have M.D.s or Ph.D.s from big-name universities and spend years learning how to take an idea, prove it in the lab, then translate it into a clinical application that helps people live better lives. They know how to take what is basically nothing and make it magic. We are sometimes (often) humbled by them.
Scientists around here are also just people, too. We were reminded of this when we were in Peter Bex's lab at Schepens for a recent photo shoot.
It was late on a Friday afternoon and Dr. Bex was enthusiastically sharing his opinion of a new technology with a local TV station when the the lab got a really (doggy) treat. Harvey, a French bulldog, stopped by to visit investigator Emily Weicek.
Although they were busy, the researchers (and camera crew and PR staff) all took a break to say hello and give Harvey a pat. The smiles on all of their faces were almost as wide as on Emily's.
Rumor has it that Harvey will be stopping by the lab to say hello again soon. We may do just the same!
-- Mary Leach (Public Affairs)
May 8, 2014
Let Them Eat Cake
Nurses Week has to be one of our favorite weeks of the year because it's our chance to take good care of those who care so well for so many others.
Whether the Nurses Week schedule calls for a special dessert, a zumba lesson, or a seated chair massage, this is our time to say thank you.
Let them eat cake on Nurses Week -- they deserve it!
-- Mary Leach (Public Affairs)
May 7, 2014
Collaboration and Caring
Noah is one cute kid -- and he's also the inspiration for a new software concept that may save eyes and lives.
We first met him after reading about him on his mom's blog and reaching out to the family to see if we could stop by and say hello the next time he was at Mass. Eye and Ear. Noah was 2 and full of energy in the waiting room of Dr. Shizou Mukai's office on the 12th floor in the Retina Clinic. Noah and his parents lived across the river in Cambridge at the time and they were at an every-six-month check up to see if the tumors in Noah's eye had changed and he needed more drastic treatment. The clinic that day -- like most days -- was filled with children like Noah, most with retinoblastoma, which is a rare form of eye cancer. Thankfully Noah got good news that visit.
Fast forward a few years later. Noah and his family had moved to Texas, where his father was a professor at Baylor University. We'd kept track of Noah through his parents' faithful blog updates. We happily watched him grow, thrive and even learn how to play the piano.
Last fall we received word from Dr. Mukai about an interesting paper that he and the parents of one of his patients had co-authored. They discovered a new way of using digital photography to identify the signs of retinoblastoma earlier, an approach that could lead to earlier treatment to save children's vision. This was great news -- but we were even more excited when we learned the parents belonged to Noah!
National Public Radio learned about this unique collaboration between parent and physican and decided to make it a spotlight story. They featured Noah's story in two parts that can be heard here.
We're grateful to work in an enviroment where no ideas are bad ideas and where connections can lead to lasting relationships and discoveries that will result in better lives for children in the future. Considering all the good that may come from this discovery makes us want crack a smile as big as the state of Texas!
-- Mary Leach, Public Affairs
(with special thanks to Elizabeth Shaw for the lovely photos)
May 6, 2014
Dedication, Even on a Sunny Spring Saturday
Last Saturday was one of the first sunny weekend days in Boston this season. While residents of Beacon Hill took their morning jog along the Charles River or sipped their lattes at Starbucks, there was an entirely different scene in the Meltzer Auditorium at Mass. Eye and Ear.
Our Sinus Center team, (left to right) Drs. Nicolas Busaba, Benjamin Bleier, Stacey Gray and Eric Holbook, gathered for their seventh year to give an extensive public forum on all things sinus: Know Your Nose. The lectures were part of the hospital's community benefits program, which aims to educate and inform our community so members can live healthier lives.
The audience was small, as one might expect on that rare spring day, but these Harvard Medical School-affiliated physicians' smiles did not fade and their enthusiasm for the topic did not dim. The caliber of these talk was evident by the intelligent and inquisitive questions offered by the audience. Twenty people or 200...the number didn't seem to matter to this cadre of teachers or students.
What may be even more telling is the assemblage of Mass. Eye and Ear nurses and medical staff assistants in the audience.
(shown from left to right): Van Le, Medical Assistant, Allison Casella, R.N., Linda Sheehan R.N. and in the back row, Debbie Clain, ENT Operations manager.
Although not required to attend, they joined our sinus center team to learn as much as they could to help their patients. And all involved had big smiles on their faces.
On this Nurses Week celebrate the dedication of our nurses and all staff who go above beyond to learn as much as they can to help our patients -- even on Saturday mornings!
-- Mary Leach (Public Affairs)
May 5, 2014
Many Differences, One Goal
Nurses come in many shapes and sizes, from different backgrounds and genders, but they all share one thing: the desire to provide the most compassionate care possible to our patients.
On this first day of National Nurses Week, we celebrate our nurses and the entire team of caregivers who aim to provide the highest quality, compassionate care this week and every week.
Their efforts were eloquently described in a recent card that was sent to the entire to the team -- nurses and other caregivers -- at Mass. Eye and Ear, Longwood.
"The efficiency and marvelous manner extended to me was phenomenal. Never before have I experienced meeting a medical team so unique. When leaving, my daughter commented:'If I ever need...surgery, I am coming here.'" -- Handwritten note in a card
The printed sentiment in the card really said it all: "Thoughtful people like you all are very special indeed."
All of our nurses are special -- and if there is ever anything that we can do to help make your visit to Mass. Eye and Ear better, please do not hesitate to let us know.
-- Mary Leach, Public Affairs
May 2, 2014
Small Kindnesses Make a Huge Difference
It's the little things that make a difference to patients: a warm blanket, a kind smile, the knowledge that you are not alone, even if you are in the hospital hundreds of miles away from home.
We receive many letters about the competent and kind care of our nurses, but one addressed to a nurse on the 11th floor adult inpatient unit stands out.
I certainly appreciate your care and concern during my stay in the hospital. The entire staff did a great job by me. It is a most difficult job, reassurance and comfort are not commodities. There are so many to thank.. Marilyn, Carol, Liz, Marianne, Mitch, Jackie…please let them know I appreciate the team.– Letter from patient
All of the nurses mentioned in this kind note are exceptional, but they are just a few of many outstanding nurses at Mass. Eye and Ear. Reassurance and comfort aren't commodities, but they are in great supply on our inpatient and clinical care floors.
Next week is National Nurses Week. This is the time to recognize the professionalism, commitment to excellence and dedication of nurses everywhere. The theme of National Nurses Week is Nurses Leading the Way. Join us in celebrating nurses embracing new technologies, resolving issues, and accepting ever-changing roles in their profession.
Our nurses lead the way for their patients, colleagues, organizations and the health care profession as a whole. We are proud to celebrate the difference they make in patients' lives – both big and small – on National Nurses' Week and every week.
-- Mary Leach, Public Affairs
May 1, 2014
The More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same
This tired saying seems especially true at Mass. Eye and Ear on a rainy Thursday, the day of the week now commonly known as "#ThrowBackThursday."
The photograph above from our archives shows one of Mass. Eye and Ear's early buildings. What began in 1824 as a one-room eye clinic in the Beacon Hill area of Boston has now grown to 13 locations all over eastern Massachusetts.
Our physical space has changed since our founding fathers Drs. John Jeffries and Edward Reynolds first set up shop with the goal of treating Boston's needy. But doctors' and nurses' committment to providing the finest specialty care never waivered.
This is our vision:
Massachusetts Eye and Ear will be the preeminent world-wide source of advances and leaders in preserving and restoring vision, hearing, balance and voice, as well as in curing disorders of the head and neck.
We are working hard to help patients on this rather dreary day in Boston. It is raw outside but our doctors, nurses and researchers are warm and snug in inside -- in whichever Mass. Eye and Ear building they happen to be in -- with the knowledge that they are here to help.
-- Mary Leach, Public Affairs
We always like to hear from our website's visitors. Feel free to email us about a topic that you would like us to talk about on our blog or about your experience at Mass. Eye and Ear.


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Atlanta Falcons
Harry Douglas - #83 - WR
|6' 0"/ 183 lbs.
|Jonesboro, GA
|Years played
|2008, 3rd round, 21st pick by Falcons
Falcons DL Anderson embracing role
It doesn't look like he will ever become the top-tier pass rusher the Falcons thought they were getting in the 2007 draft, but the team still seems confident that Jamaal Anderson can be a very useful piece on the ...
Falcons DT Babineaux suspended
The NFL has suspended Falcons DT Jonathan Babineaux one game for violating the league's substance abuse policy.
Falcons' pass-rush pressure issue to watch
Mustering more of a pass rush — both off the edge as well as inside — might be just the ticket for overall defensive improvement for the Falcons, who are coming off back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in franchise history.
Falcons agree to terms with Weatherspoon
Falcons rookie OLB Sean Weatherspoon will be reporting to training camp on Friday with a five-year contract.
There's something about Harry
Falcons WR Harry Douglas is a supersleeper to take a flier on late in fantasy football drafts, writes PFW's Dan Parr.
NFC South training-camp reports
In the seventh chapter of our training-camp reports, we look at the NFC South teams, including a Panthers team led defensively by LB Jon Beason.
Mysterious knee could limit Falcons DT Jerry in camp
There has been speculation that Falcons DT Peria Jerry's recovery from knee surgery is not moving as quickly as the team anticipated.
Falcons sign fifth-round pick Meier
The Falcons have signed fifth-round WR Kerry Meier to a four-year contract.
Falcons' RCB battle wide open
The Falcons will have at least four players competing for the starting job at right cornerback in training camp, and this is a legitimate battle.
Texans, Falcons hoping to get over hump
With Houston and Atlanta being the highest-rated teams not to make the playoffs last season, NFList examines how other recent "near-miss" clubs fared the following season.
Falcons LB James suspended
The NFL has suspended Falcons LB Robert James for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances, a league spokesperson announced Thursday.
Falcons' Robinson says teammates are buying into confident approach
As the Falcons' defense looks to improve on its 21st ranking from last season, CB Dunta Robinson, the team's top offseason addition, shared his thoughts on what it will take for the unit to succeed.
Falcons sign rookie OG Johnson
The Falcons signed OG Mike Johnson, one of their third-round picks in the 2010 draft, on Saturday.
Falcons preparing Weatherspoon to play strong- and weak-side 'backer
Falcons first-round pick Sean Weatherspoon has drawn positive reviews from coaches and observers through OTAs and minicamps, and it appears that, at the minimum, he'll be involved in the team's nickel package on defense.
Falcons sign draft picks Hawley, Franks
The Falcons signed two of their draft picks and waived four players Tuesday.
Douglas had season highs of eight receptions for 133 yards in Sunday's overtime loss to New Orleans.||||||| Douglas wasn't targeted a single time in Atlanta's win over Indianapolis in Week 9.
Douglas suffered a concussion in Week 1.||||||| Douglas will have to past some tests to be able to play against the Eagles. He had two catches for 10 yards against the Bears.
Douglas is out for the season after suffering a knee injury.||||||| Coach Mike Smith says Thursday that Douglas suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in a drill on Wednesday and will miss the season. Douglas, a 2008 third-round pick from Louisville, had 23 catches for 320 yards in his rookie season.
The Atlanta Falcons are awaiting a medical report on Douglas after the he left Wednesday's practice with an apparent leg injury. After catching a pass, Douglas fell and grabbed his left leg. He tried to stand with help from teammate Michael Jenkins before again falling to the ground. He was driven off the field on a cart. Douglas was working with the first team offense while top receiver Roddy White is holding out for a new contract.||||||| Douglas, a 2008 third-round pick from Louisville, had 23 catches for 320 yards in his rookie season.
Douglas scored the first two TDs of his career - the second on a 61-yard punt return - and the Falcons romped to a 45-28 win over the Panthers to move within a game of the division lead.||||||| Douglas also scored a rushing touchdown and had 92 yards receiving, his second 90-plus yard receiving effort this season. The rookie is becoming a major threat in the Falcons' offense, though he's not really worth playing at receiver just yet in a fantasy league.

subset: commoncrawl


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Friday, July 25: Lawyers for Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev have renewed their request for a judge to hold a hearing on leaks to the news media.
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555 Bay Road, Dover, DE 19901
(302) 744-2495 Fax: (302) 760-4757
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Office Hours: 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. Mon. - Fri.
Parks & Recreation
Senior Softball
Men's Softball
Junior Volleyball
Youth Flag Football
Ages 50 and up. Big Oak County Park, Big Oak Road, Smyrna. Games will be played on weekday evenings beginning in May. A mandatory Managers organizational meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 13 at 6:15 p.m. in the Parks and Recreation Office (Room 222), 555 Bay Road, Dover. For more information, call Steve Arnold at 302-751-1010.


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Much has been written and said this week about the history between the Oklahoma and Notre Dame football programs, with a matchup between the two top-10 teams scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman.
It will be the first time the two historic programs have met since 1999 in South Bend, Ind., when the Fighting Irish beat the Sooners for the sixth straight time, 34-30.
OU is 1-8 all-time against Notre Dame, with the Sooners' only win coming in 1956, when Bud Wilkinson's Sooners beat Notre Dame 45-0 on the road that year.
The next year, in 1957, OU had built up a 47-game winning streak going into the Notre Dame game, which was to be played in Norman. Plenty of attention was given to the game itself, but what some may not know is that before the game during which Notre Dame snapped OU's record winning streak, the Fighting Irish stayed in Chickasha.
The Friday before the game, the Notre Dame football team arrived around 6 p.m. at the Chickasha Hotel, which was managed at that time by Alderson Molz and is currently in the process of being restored.
The Fighting Irish flew into Will Rogers airport Friday afternoon, then participated in some light workouts in Norman before heading by bus to Chickasha.
More than 200 Chickasha residents were present to greet the team when they arrived, reportedly welcoming the Notre Dame contingent with polite applause.
The lobby of the Chickasha Hotel was crowded and busy for about an hour and a half after the team arrived, as Molz handled phone calls, tracked down players and coaches, and searched for missing baggage (Notre Dame head coach Terry Brennan's suitcase had been left in Norman).
Notre Dame had a team meeting that night, and headed to Mass at Holy Name Catholic Church in the morning. Mass was offered by Reverend Joseph Berry at 9 a.m. Saturday.
The team returned to the Chickasha Hotel for breakfast at 10 a.m. before leaving for Norman, where the Fighting Irish would claim a significant win later that day. The breakfast menu included orange juice, dry cereal, baked potatoes with butter, a 12-ounce sirloin steak, head lettuce with Thousand Island dressing, peas and carrots, whole wheat rolls, and apples.
Floyd Reedy, a Chickasha resident, said he remembers when the team was in town.
"I remember people would gather on 3rd Street and watch them march down the north side of the street until they got to Irene's restaurant, which was where the Chamber of Commerce is right now," Reedy said.
Reedy said Irene's was where the team had dinner after they got done with some workouts at the Chickasha High School football field.
The date of the game was also significant for Reedy, who was celebrating a birthday that Saturday.
"I remember the date, because it was my 21st birthday on Nov. 16, and the state of Oklahoma's birthday was the same day," Reedy said.
Notre Dame's short stay in Chickasha was a big deal for the city. More than 20 local businesses sponsored a double-page spread in the Chickasha Daily Express newspaper welcoming the Fighting Irish.
The businesses were: The Anderson-Prichard Oil Company, C.R. Anthony Co., B&B Clothiers, Bills Bakery, Boren-Malone Co., Botts-Hulme-Smith Concrete Co., Chickasha Cotton Oil Co., Chickasha Furniture and Rug Co., Chickasha Hotel and Coffee Shop, Chickasha Mattress Co., El Rancho, El Reno Trailers Inc., First National Bank, Gilkey Hardware, Grady County Feed & Seed, Knights of Columbus, McWhorters Grocery, Melton Motors, Oklahoma National Bank, Rexall Drug, Ross Oil Co., Ross Seed & Grain Co., and Wadsworth Oil Co.
Information from the Nov. 14, 15 and 17 editions of the 1957 Chickasha Daily Express were used in this story.