Serving the Community

The Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary was founded in 1824 as a one-room clinic to treat those in the Boston community who needed eye care. Mass. Eye and Ear’s services have expanded since then, but our commitment to serving the community continues as part of the hospital’s community benefits program.

 
Community Benefits Mission Statement

 Mass. Eye and Ear’s Community Benefits Mission Statement was re-examined and re-approved by the hospital’s Board of Directors on October 22, 2002.

Be it Resolved:
That the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary hereby reaffirms its commitment to serve the identified health care needs of its constituent communities/patient populations "the designated community."

That designated community is further defined for this purpose as residents of the Greater Boston area with, or at risk of, disorders of vision, hearing, voice or speech, with a special emphasis on underserved populations.

That such a commitment is recognized as an integral part of the mission of the Mass. Eye and Ear.

That efforts to fulfill this commitment will build upon traditional partnerships between the Mass. Eye and Ear and the designated community, recognizing the value of such collaboration. 

That the Mass. Eye and Ear will develop, implement, and update as necessary a formal plan for fulfilling this commitment, which plan will include allocation of appropriate resources to address identified health care needs of the designated community.

Community Benefits Plan

Mass. Eye and Ear Community Benefits Full Narrative Report - Fiscal Year 2009
Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary Boston, Massachusetts
Region Served: Greater New England
 

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Community Benefits Plan - Section Links

Mission Statement
Internal Oversight and Management of the Community Benefits Program
Community Health Needs Assessment
Community Participation
Community Benefits Plan
Progress Report: Activity During the Reporting Year
Contact Us
 

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 I. Mission Statement

 I. Mission Statement
A.  Summary
In compliance with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s voluntary Community Benefits guidelines, we are pleased to submit the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary’s Community Benefits Plan and a listing of some of our activities for fiscal year 2009.

The Mass. Eye and Ear was founded in 1824 as a charitable clinic to provide eye and ear care to Boston’s needy. Although the health care field and medicine have undergone many changes during the last 184 years, Mass. Eye and Ear’s commitment to provide the highest quality eye and ear, nose and throat care to those in need of it, regardless of a person’s ability to pay, has not wavered.

During fiscal year 2009, Mass. Eye and Ear dedicated  without receiving remuneration  a portion of its financial and personnel resources to treat, preserve and restore vision, hearing and voice in people from Boston, New England, the United States and the world who otherwise could not afford the care. As a unique resource, the Mass. Eye and Ear treats a large number of patients from a broader geographic area than many other Massachusetts hospitals.  In addition, Mass. Eye and Ear acts as a resource in its specialties for the Massachusetts General Hospital, which attracts patients from throughout the state and does not have its own departments of ophthalmology and otolaryngology.

In additional to all of the services that Mass. Eye and Ear provided to the community as either a community benefit or a community service program, we also provide the following:
1) $1,427,529 Annual provider assessment for FY 2009 under Chapter 118G, Section 37 for funding the Health Safety Net;

2) $76,286 Annual FY 2009 provider assessment under Chapter 118G, Section 5 for funding the Division of Health Care Finance and Policy's operation of the Health Safety Net program;

3) Not Immediately Available The difference between payments received on Health Safety Net (HSN) claims and the cost of providing care to a low-income patient who is eligible for the HSN program. The following should be considered as allowable costs:

a. Not Immediately Available Claims for a Low-Income Patient that are denied by the HSN and where the claims are not covered by any secondary payer (public or private);

b. Not Immediately Available Unpaid Health Safety Net co-payment obligations for low income patients;

c. Not Immediately Available Unpaid co-pays from any individual exempt from collection activities under the HSN regulation;

d. Not Immediately Available Unpaid co-payments from Medicare patients that are dually covered by the HSN program, whose co-payment has not been paid by a secondary payer, nor reimbursed by Medicare as allowable bad debt, nor covered by the HSN program;

e. Not Immediately Available The difference between the HSN payments that are made at a percentage of the Medicare rate compared to the actual cost of the services provided to the HSN patient;

f. Not Immediately Available The payments made for those patients who qualify for Medical Hardship eligibly through the HSN program (again looking at the unpaid cost of the services that are written off to HSN once the patient qualified for medical hardship).

4)  $485,396   Physician and ancillary services to a low-income or charity care patient, provided that the practice location is part of the hospital Tax ID Number that is completing the Form 990. Hospitals can also include any payments or subsidies from the hospital to its practice to cover charity care services. However it is important that any such payments or transfers to cover charity care services are carefully documented or identified in the affiliation agreement, subsidiary contract, or other document that sets forth the control of the physician/ancillary service through the hospital.

5) $215,592 Voluntary, hospital funded (or privately funded) free care or discounted care programs for those patients that qualify as a low-income patients under the HSN or the hospital's credit and collection policy. Note that any private funds contributed or otherwise available to the hospital for free or discounted care to a low income patient or uninsured/underinsured individuals should be counted as well.

 $ 2,204,803  Total Charity Care
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Mass. Eye and Ear’s Community Benefits Mission Statement is as follows. It was re-examined and re-approved by the hospital’s Board of Directors on October 22, 2002:
Be it Resolved:
“Be it resolved that the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (“the Infirmary”) hereby reaffirms its commitment to serve the identified health care needs of its constituent communities/patient populations (‘the designated community’).

That designated community is further defined for this purpose as residents of the Greater Boston area with, or at risk of, disorders of vision, hearing, voice or speech, with a special emphasis on underserved populations.

That such a commitment is recognized as an integral part of the mission of the Infirmary.

That efforts to fulfill this commitment will build upon traditional partnerships between the Infirmary and the designated community, recognizing the value of such collaboration.

That Infirmary will develop, implement, and update as necessary a formal plan for fulfilling this commitment, which will include allocation of appropriate resources to address identified health care needs of the designated community.” 

B.  Approval of Governing Body
Mass. Eye and Ear’s Community Benefits Mission Statement was initially reviewed and approved by Mass. Eye and Ear’s Board of Directors on September 7, 1994. The mission statement was re-examined and revised by the Community Benefits Advisory Committee and re-approved by Mass. Eye and Ear’s Board of Directors on October 22, 2002. The Board of Directors receives regular updates on the hospital’s community benefits activities.
 

II. Internal Oversight and Management of the Community Benefits Program

II. Internal Oversight and Management of the Community Benefits Program
The Mass. Eye and Ear established a Community Benefits Advisory Committee in early 1995 to promote community and hospital-based involvement in the development of its Community Benefits program. The Community Benefits mission statement serves as the Community Benefits Advisory Committee’s guiding principles.

The committee consists of representatives from Boston-area nonprofit agencies and organizations, members of Mass. Eye and Ear’s medical, resident and management staffs, members of the Mass. Eye and Ear Board, and Mass. Eye and Ear Trustees. Mass. Eye and Ear’s two-person Office of Public Affairs provides the main staffing support. The committee’s membership is intentionally dynamic, allowing for the committee to expand or contract as needed.

Members of the Committee included:
Diane E. Kaneb                     Board Chair, Mass. Eye and Ear
Mary E. Leach                       Committee Coordinator, Director of Public Affairs, Mass. Eye and Ear
Linda Belkner, R.N.              Director of Quality, Mass. Eye and Ear
Melanie Kazlas, M.D.           Medical Director, Pediatric Ophthalmology, Children’s Hospital Ophthalmology Foundation at Mass. Eye and Ear
Chris Regan                          Vice President of Human Resources, Mass. Eye and Ear

Beth Caruso                         Staff Member, Perkins School for the Blind
Camille Condon                   Director, International Patient Services, Mass. Eye and Ear
Donna Hultman                    Audiologist, Mass. Eye and Ear
Carl Munroe                          Past President, Mass. Lions Eye Research
John O’Sullivan Francis     Community Development Corp., Mass. Eye and Ear Trustee
Andrea Galvin                       Mass. Commission for the Deaf
Janice Gatty, Ph.D.              Staff Member, Clark School for the Deaf
Janet Huettig, LICSW          Director of Social Work, Mass. Eye and Ear
Mary McNulty-Anglin, R.N.  Liaison and School Nurse, Neighborhood House Charter School, Dorchester
Yu Sing Jung                        Jung/Brannen Associates, Mass. Eye and Ear Trustee
Alan Cregg                            Executive Director, Vision Coalition
Susan Williams                   General Counsel, Mass. Eye and Ear (Committee Invitee)

Ankoor Shah, M.D.              Chief Resident, Ophthalmology, Mass. Eye and Ear
Sam Merchant, M.D.          Otolaryngology, Mass. Eye and Ear
Mary Lou Jackson, M.D.    Director, Vision Rehabilitation, Mass. Eye and Ear
Vannessa Carrington         Coordinator, Public Affairs, Mass. Eye and Ear
Jennifer Street                    Vice President, Communications, Mass. Eye and Ear
Anita Nasra                          Kit Clark Senior Services
John Fernandez                  President, Mass. Eye and Ear

A. Methods for Sharing Information about Community Benefits Mission/Programs with Staff at all  Levels of the Institution

Mass. Eye and Ear shares information with staff of all levels at Mass. Eye and Ear through articles in E-Forum -- the hospital’s internal newsletter -- and via all-staff emails.  We share information about our program externally by posting it on Mass. Eye and Ear’s website: www.MassEyeAndEar.org and by including articles in “Contact,” our external newsletter, and in Mass. Eye and Ear’s annual report.

 

III. Community Health Needs Assessment

III. Community Health Needs Assessment
A.  Process, Including Participants 
Because Mass. Eye and Ear is a specialty hospital, it was difficult to conduct a community health needs assessment.  Mass. Eye and Ear cares for patients from all over the Commonwealth, the United States and the world. The Community Benefits Advisory Committee discussed on several occasions the development of a Community Benefits Plan.

The committee agreed that the Mass. Eye and Ear should continue providing the community services it has historically provided, including lectures, support groups, educational opportunities and medical missions as part of the formal Community Benefits Plan. They decided to explore new options for proactive Community Benefits to add to this plan.

The committee brainstormed on new projects that would become Mass. Eye and Ear’s proactive plan for Community Benefits. The committee members initially suggested an array of possible projects, ranging from efforts to eradicate African river blindness to developing an education program to reduce industrial eye and ear injuries. Upon the committee’s request, the two staff members from the Public Affairs Office, which oversees Community Benefits, researched and collected information on specific suggestions. Communication with committee members continued during the year.

To narrow its focus, the committee defined the term “community” for purposes of Mass. Eye and Ear’s Community Benefits Plan as follows:

“The Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary has a unique role in both the local community and state, and the regional and national levels. For the purpose of its Community Benefits Plan, the Mass. Eye and Ear defines its "community" as residents of the Greater Boston area with, or at risk of, disorders of vision, hearing, voice or speech, with a special emphasis on underserved populations.”

The committee ultimately narrowed its focus to one segment of the defined community: school-age children with potential vision and hearing problems. Through research, the Public Affairs staff learned that public schools provide vision and hearing screening to their students. They discovered that charter schools do not provide screenings upon receiving a telephone call to Mass. Eye and Ear from the headmaster of the Neighborhood House Charter School in Dorchester, Mass., who had heard about the development of Mass. Eye and Ear’s Community Benefits program and expressed a need for its services.

Understanding that the Mass. Eye and Ear is a small specialty hospital with limited staff and resources, the committee determined that it was best to continue the numerous community service projects it has provided for years and to focus its energies on a Community Benefits (proactive, planned) project that was achievable:  providing screenings and any necessary follow-up care to the students at the Neighborhood House Charter School. 

The Neighborhood House Charter School Vision and Hearing Care Program was developed, and we have been providing vision and hearing screenings and follow-up care to the students of this growing school ever since. The program has grown as the school’s population has grown. Services were initially provided to 50 students. We now care for the current student population of more than 400 children in their new location on Queen Street. Working with the school at the end of fiscal year 2008, we determined that our services were still needed in fiscal year 2009. We planned to continue the screening and needed follow-up process in fiscal year 2009 and carried out this plan.

B. Information Sources
Public Affairs staff members spoke to various representatives in the Boston Public School System to learn the extent of current screening programs and to members of the Neighborhood House Charter School to discuss needs.

C. Summary of Findings
The Public Affairs staff learned that public schools provide vision and hear

 

IV. Community Participation

 

IV. Community Participation
A. Process and Mechanism
Mass. Eye and Ear’s Community Benefits Plan is posted on Mass. Eye and Ear’s website,  www.MassEyeAndEar.org, and feedback is sought on how the Mass. Eye and Ear can help its community better meet its needs. The large “Give Us Feedback” box on most pages of the website solicits ideas for ways Mass. Eye and Ear can serve the community. Committee members are encouraged to share their ideas, as are Mass. Eye and Ear employees.

B. Information Sources
During the initial planning stage, the Mass. Eye and Ear sought people to become members of the Community Benefits Advisory Committee, both from the hospital and from the community.  We sought members who have an interest in or knowledge of the needs of the visually or hearing impaired. Today, we carefully consider requests made from the community and implement community services when possible.

C. Summary of Findings
The Community Benefits Advisory Committee initially reviewed Community Benefits activities historically underway at the Mass. Eye and Ear. They also reviewed and approved the Community Benefits Plan to provide Mass. Eye and Ear screenings to the Neighborhood House Charter School and received copies of Mass. Eye and Ear’s annual report. Mass. Eye and Ear’s Board of Directors receives updates on Community Benefits activities and copies of the report.

 

V. Community Benefits Plan

V. Community Benefits Plan
A. Process of Development of the Plan, Including How the Community was Involved (if not previously described)
Please see sections above.

B. Choice of Target Population/Identification of Priorities, Including an Explanation of How These Relate to the Results of the Community Health Needs Assessment
The Community Benefits Advisory Committee narrowed its focus to school-age children after reading research that showed children who can see and hear well will achieve more in school and ultimately in life. In our informal needs assessment, we learned that the Neighborhood House Charter School in Dorchester, Mass., lacked vision and hearing services. Given Mass. Eye and Ear’s resources and staffing, the committee agreed to formally “adopt” this school and provide whatever services were needed. Each year we revisit this need and renew this commitment if necessary. We are planning to provide screenings in fiscal year 2010.

C.  Short-term (One Year) and Long-term (Three to Five Year) Strategies and Goals
Mass. Eye and Ear’s short-term goal was to provide free vision and hearing screenings and any necessary follow-up care to students at this adopted school. Longer-term goals include expanding the scope of involvement at this school by providing educational experiences and mentoring. As staffing permits, we hope to eventually be able to provide this service to another school that is in need of assistance. We also held some screenings in Stoneham, Mass., and in Camp Harbor View (Long Island, Boston) this fiscal year and will evaluate the need for fiscal year 2010.

D. Process for Measuring Outcomes and Evaluating Effectiveness of the Program
The evaluation process for the success of the Neighborhood House Charter School Vision and Hearing project focuses mainly on analyzing information from interaction with school and Mass. Eye and Ear officials. The key areas of interest include the percentage of students who received needed follow-up care, Mass. Eye and Ear’s communication process with the school and the parents, and ways the Mass. Eye and Ear can improve the testing and follow-up process.  The school nurse is a vital component of the success of this program as she interacts with the parents.

E. Process and Considerations for Determining a Budget
It is difficult to plan for an exact budget figure for the Neighborhood House Charter School Vision and Hearing project because it is dependent on the care needed by the students. The budget for the Neighborhood House Charter School project could exceed $20,000 per year. This figure is dependent on the number of students who come to the Mass. Eye and Ear for their follow-up care, as well as what is needed for that follow-up care.  In-kind contributions of staff time, equipment and materials equal approximately $10,000 per year. The Mass. Eye and Ear is committed to caring for these children’s vision and hearing needs regardless of cost.

 

F. Process for Reviewing, Evaluating and Updating the Plan
Mass. Eye and Ear Community Benefits Advisory Committee initially formed the Community Benefits Plan. This committee was reinvigorated in fiscal year 2002, reviewed the current plan, and submitted the Community Benefits mission statement to Mass. Eye and Ear Board of Directors for re-approval. The committee agreed to continue with the current plan, adding new activities as appropriate and as needed.

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VI. Progress Report: Activity During the Reporting Year

 VI. Progress Report:  Activity During the Reporting Year
 

 (1) Expenditures

TYPE 
ESTIMATED
TOTAL EXPENDITURES FOR [FY09] 
APPROVED PROGRAM BUDGET FOR [NEXT FISCAL YEAR ]*

COMMUNITY BENEFITS PROGRAMS
 
(1) Direct  Expenses  $20,000 

(2) Associated Expenses

(3) Determination of Need Expenditures

(4) Employee Volunteerism  $10,000

(5) Other Leveraged Resources  $450,000

We expect to spend similar amounts to previous years.

*Excluding expenditures that cannot be projected at the time of the report.

COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAMS 
(1) Direct  Expenses  $196,626
(2) Associated Expenses

(3) Determination of Need Expenditures

(4) Employee Volunteerism $66,145

(5) Other Leveraged Resources $140,855 

NET CHARITY CARE 1,427,529  

CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS 
 
TOTAL $1,861,155
 

A. Major Programs and Initiatives
In fiscal year 2009 (Oct. 1, 2008-Sept. 30, 2009) the Mass. Eye and Ear, its employees, and full-time medical staff were involved in many community service projects. In addition to the vision screenings at the Neighborhood House Charter School, Mass. Eye and Ear also participated in many screenings throughout the community.

The following is a listing of some of the specific efforts in fiscal year 2009:

Services for Children

Neighborhood House Charter School Vision and Hearing Care Program
Donation:  Mass. Eye and Ear’s budget for the project could exceed $20,000 per year. This figure is dependent on the number of students who come to the Mass. Eye and Ear for their follow-up care, as well as what is needed for that follow-up care.

In Kind: Staff time, equipment and materials (approximately $10,000)
Provided vision and hearing screenings at Dorchester-based school. The school now has more than 400 students, ages 4 through 13, in grades K-8.  The Mass. Eye and Ear’s program involved conducting vision and hearing screenings and then working with the students’ parents/guardians to ensure that those who need follow-up care receive it, regardless of their ability to pay.

For the fourteenth year, members from various hospital departments teamed up to provide vision and hearing screenings for children at the Neighborhood House Charter School in Dorchester as part of hospital’s community benefits program. Participants screened 400 children from grades K through 8 over the course of four busy days. Thank you to everyone who assisted with the screenings: Audiology Doctoral Trainees Mary Beth Bramel and Kate Gorton; Drs. Melanie Kazlas, Saadia Rashid, Rebecca Hunter, Hana Takusagawa, Yao Liu, Ankoor Shah and Kimberley Chan, O.D.; Kathleen Connly (Legal Office); Andrea Ellin (Development/International) Leslie Dennis, Carlie Tacoma and Kristina Sym (Development); Lauren Tsevdos (Planning); Jennifer Street (Communications); and Mary Leach and Vannessa Carrington (Public Affairs).

This year many children were found to be in need of corrective lenses and some needed more extensive hearing tests. Mary McNulty-Anglin, the school nurse, followed up with the parents of each child who needed further attention. All children who failed hearing and vision screenings were invited to come to the Mass. Eye and Ear for free care if care by their own pediatricians was unavailable. 

Camp Harbor Vision Screenings
Donation:
In Kind:  $ 5,832 in staff time
Providing Vision Screenings at Camp Harbor View
As part of Mass. Eye and Ear’s ongoing community benefits program, employees from a number of the hospital’s departments teamed up  to provide two sessions of vision screenings for the children at Camp Harbor View on Long Island, Mass., in the Boston Harbor. Camp Harbor View was the vision of Boston Mayor Tom Menino. The camp provides four-week long summer camp experiences for children living in Boston neighborhoods who would not otherwise have access to this resource. A total of nearly  300 children received vision screenings. Doctors referred at least 50 children for follow-up care. Those who participated in the screenings included: Vice President Clinical Services Gayle Fishman and Vice President Surgical Services Jeff Pike; Genna Cerce and Lauren Tsevdos (Facilities); Camille Condon (International Office); Kimberley Chan, O.D., and Dr. Melanie Kazlas (CHOF at Mass. Eye and Ear Pediatric Ophthalmology); Kristina Sym and Leslie Dennis (Development); second-year ophthalmology residents Drs. Rajesh Rao and Sahar Kohanim; first-year ophthalmology resident Dr. Peter Veldman; Beth Grande (Marketing); Tiffany Tran, Vannessa Carrington and Mary Leach (Public Affairs); and Jennifer Street (Communications).

South Elementary School Vision Screening
Donation:
In Kind: Approximately $965 in staff time
As part of its ongoing Community Benefits Program, Mass. Eye and Ear staff members visited the South Elementary School in Stoneham, Mass., and provided vision screenings to approximately 50 pre-school age. This is the second year in which Mass. Eye and Ear provided this needed service. Staff members who participated included:  Kimberley Chan, O.D, Amy Scally, O.D., Certified Ophthalmic Assistant Ron D’onofrio and Ophthalmic Assistant Cindy Serino.

Vision Coalition Massachusetts Year Up Clinic
Donation:
In Kind: $890
On May 1 the hospital joined with Vision Coalition Massachusetts to provide vision exams for Year Up, a Boston-based organization that teaches business skills to young adults and places them in internships with corporations in the Boston area. Sixteen people received full eye exams. As part of this collaborative community benefits activity, the Vision Coalition purchased any needed eyeglasses from our Optical Shop. Participants included Chief Ophthalmology Resident Dr. Angela Turalba, who organized the screening and assisted with exams, Medical Staff assistant Maria Martinez, Third-Year Resident Dr. Ann-Marie Lobo and First-Year Resident Dr. Rajesh Rao, who also conducted exams. Tom Merrill from the Optical Shop also participated.

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Services for the Elderly

Public Form on Hearing
Donation:
In Kind: $22,030
Have You Heard? Nine Years of Educating the Public
The Department of Audiology hosted its 9th Annual Have You Heard? Public Forum on Hearing and Balance on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in the Meltzer Auditorium. An auditorium full of guests who braved inclement weather to attend the program complimented the quality of the presentations and the audio-visual set up, which allowed hearing as well as hearing-impaired attendees to enjoy the program. An auditorium full of people braved the elements to attend the 9th annual Have You Heard?, Audiology’s Free Public Forum. John Fernandez, president and CEO, welcomed everyone to the event, which included presentations about hearing, hearing loss and balance from audiologists Sharon Kujawa, Ph.D., Ellen O’Neil, Sc.D., and Lynne Davis, Ph.D., and otologist Steven Rauch, M.D. An engaged audience asked numerous insightful questions of the speakers. This event was one of several community benefits activities designed to educate that the hospital offers throughout the year.

Public Forum on Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Donation:
In Kind: $8,291
One woman traveled all the way from Hyannis to attend the first Update on Age-Related Macular Degeneration on Saturday morning in the Meltzer Auditorium. She was one of nearly 200 audience members who gathered to hear presentations about the latest treatments and research from Drs. John Loewenstein, Ivana Kim, Kathryn Colby, Mary Lou Jackson and Meg DeAngelis. Dr. Joan W. Miller welcomed the guests, who were also invited to attend a reception to speak with the doctors, as well as receive a tour of the Vision Rehabilitation Center, after the seminar.

Public Forum on Sinusitis
Donation:
In Kind: staff time: $2,230
Dr. Nicolas BuSaba, Stacey Gray and Eric Holbrook presented the second Public Forum on Sinusitis in October, where they provided information about the medical and surgical treatments, as well as the causes, of sinusitis, one of the leading reasons people see their doctors.

MCOA Annual Conference Participation
Donation: $1,500
In Kind: 50 hours of staff time including preparation estimated at $2,015
The Massachusetts Association of Councils on Aging (MCOA) and Senior Center Directors, a network of statewide organizations that work on behalf of seniors and their families, held its annual conference in October 2008. With an audience of more than 700 representatives from local Councils on Aging, the conference offered 80 workshops to attend and 70 exhibitors to visit.  Lynn Bushee from Vision Rehabilitation and Pat Carleton from Social Services presented “The Evolving Vision Rehab. Model and How It Can Enhance Independence and a Sense of Well-Being in the Elderly.” Ellen O'Neil of Audiology and Pat Carleton presented “You Know I Can't Hear You When the Water's Running…” Both workshops received excellent reviews by those who attended. This year, CEU credits were offered for the workshops. Carol Brennan from Marketing hosted the exhibit table, answering questions and distributing information about all of the services the hospital provides to seniors. Each attendee represented a city or town in MA.  All persons who fall under the label “Massachusetts Senior” were potentially helped by our participation or over 850,000 people

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 Services for Other Special Populations

Head and Neck Cancer Screening, May 1, 2009
Donation
In Kind: $2,285 in staff time
Raising Awareness with Head and Neck Cancer Screening and Lecture to Head and Neck Cancer Support Group
In recognition of Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Week, Mass. Eye and Ear provided free head and neck cancer screenings to raise awareness about the importance of early detection and a lecture to a Head and Neck Cancer Support Group. Dr. Daniel Deschler and residents and fellows examined a total of 70 patients during the screening, which was open to the public.

R.O.S.E. Fund Collaboration 
Donation:
In Kind: $88,784
As part of the collaboration with the R.O.S.E. (Regaining One’s Self-Esteem) Fund, Mass. Eye and Ear continued to provide medical care to a 25-year-old patient who had been severely burned with acid in 2004. She continues to have minor office procedures performed by Dr. Mack Cheney. Another young woman underwent corrective nasal surgery to repair her nose, which was broken when she was kicked down a flight of stairs.  Dr. Jaimie DeRosa performed the procedure. A third patient was run over by her then husband back in 1999.  While she was lying on the ground, he got out of his car and cut her nose off with a paring knife.  She successfully underwent nasal correction and is doing well. Dr. DeRosa also performed this procedure.

Omni Parker House Glaucoma Screening
Donation:
In Kind: $850
First-Year Resident Dr. Hana Takusagawa and Glaucoma Service Manager Carolyn Shea traveled to the Omni Parker House Hotel downtown to provide vision and glaucoma screenings during a health fair the hotel administration organized for employees. Participants were eager to take advantage of the free screenings and were encouraged to visit the hospital for follow up, if needed.

Boston Cured Cancer Club Support Group
Donation:
In Kind: Meeting space, volunteers, promotion
The Laryngectomees Support Group meets the first Sunday of each month at Mass. Eye and Ear with the exception of July and August.

Facial Paralysis Support Group
Donation:
In Kind: Meeting space, volunteers, promotion
The Facial Paralysis Support Group meets the first Friday of the month with the exception of  July.

Glaucoma Support Group
Donation:
In Kind: Meeting space, volunteers, promotion
The Glaucoma Support Group met four times this year at Mass. Eye and Ear. Hospital physicians present regularly to this group and help to facilitate the meetings. Free parking was provided.

Operation Able
Donation: Direct financial contribution in dollars ($250)
In Kind: (approximately  $750 staff time)
Operation Able is a dedicated non-profit organization providing computer training to the economically challenged and to individuals over the age of  45 at training sites in Boston and Woburn, Mass. The Mass. Eye and Ear participates with Able by conducting mock interviews with soon-to-be graduates in preparation for real job interviews and interviewing graduates of the program for positions at Mass. Eye and Ear. A representative of Human Resources serves on the Employer Advisory Committee, which helps identify employer needs so training can focus towards fulfilling these needs. Two Human Resource Generalists serve as volunteers for Operation Able.

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Education Opportunities

Work and Family Series
Donation:
In Kind: Staff time approximately $625
Program includes family support and ongoing educational workshops held to help employees and their families address elder and child care issues. Examples of courses include “Legal and Financial Issues for Older Adults.”

Vision Rehabilitation Center/Senior Center of Sharon
Donation:
In Kind: Staff time $176
Vision Rehabilitation staff presented a lecture, “Evolving Vision Rehabilitation Model of Care Addresses the Whole Patient” on Nov. 3 at the Senior Center of Sharon’s Low Vision Support Group.

Vision Rehabilitation Center/Longwood Place
Donation:
In Kind: Staff time $132 
Vision Rehabilitation staff presented a lecture, “Evolving Vision Rehabilitation Model of Care Addresses the Whole Patient” on Nov. 12 at Longwood Place, an assisted living facility.

Vision Rehabilitation Center/Winthrop Senior Center
Donation:
In Kind: Staff time $176
Vision Rehabilitation staff presented a lecture, “Evolving Vision Rehabilitation Model of Care Addresses the Whole Patient” on Nov. 19 at the Winthrop Senior Center and facilitated a low-vision support group.

Vision Rehabilitation Center/Danvers Senior Center
Donation:
In Kind: Staff time $176
Vision Rehabilitation staff presented a lecture, “Evolving Vision Rehabilitation Model of Care Addresses the Whole Patient” on Dec. 3 at the Winthrop Senior Center for a low vision monthly support group.

Vision Rehabilitation Center/Jewish Community Center of Marblehead
Donation:
In Kind: Staff time $176 
Vision Rehabilitation staff presented a lecture, “Evolving Vision Rehabilitation Model of Care Addresses the Whole Patient” on Jewish Community Center of Marblehead for its Low Vision Support Group.

Vision Rehabilitation Center/Peabody Low Vision Monthly Support Group
Donation:
In Kind: Staff time approximately $176 
Vision Rehabilitation staff presented a lecture, “Evolving Vision Rehabilitation Model of Care Addresses the Whole Patient” on May 11 at the Peabody Low Vision Monthly Support Group.

Vision Rehabilitation Center/Newton Senior Center
Donation:
In Kind: Staff time:  $176
Vision Rehabilitation staff presented a lecture, “Evolving Vision Rehabilitation Model of Care Addresses the Whole Patient” at the Newton Senior Center MAB Low Vision Support Group.

National Youth Leadership Forum
Donation:
In Kind: Staff time:  $1,460
Two-one hour sessions meeting with 25 high school students who had expressed an interest in medicine as a career. Dr. Joseph B. Nadol presented an overview of the professional opportunities in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.
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Local Community Investments

United Way Campaign
Donation: $33,000 raised and donated
In Kind: Staff time: $5,000. Supplies: $2,500
Employees organized the annual United Way Campaign, which resulted in nearly $33,000 in contributions to this national organization.

YMCA Black Achievers
Donation: $10,000
Black Achievers is a national program of the YMCA. The goal is to recognize black employees for their career accomplishments who, in partnership with their employers, commit their time and talents to the development of young people. Mass. Eye and Ear is a proponent of this program.

Foundation Fighting Blindness Sponsor
Donation: $6,000
Mass. Eye and Ear was a Sponsor of the 2009 Swing for Sight Golf Tournament for the Foundation Fighting Blindness and of the 2009 Vision Walk.  The urgent mission of the Foundation Fighting Blindness, Inc. is to drive the research that will provide preventions, treatments and cures for people affected by retinitis pigmentosa (RP), macular degeneration, Usher Syndrome, and the entire spectrum of retinal degenerative diseases.

Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce
Donation: $5,000
Mass. Eye and Ear was a silver sponsor of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce’s Centennial Celebration.

Hearing Loss Association of America
Donation: $1,000
Mass. Eye and Ear was a sponsor of the Hearing Loss of America Assocation’s third annual Boston-area Walk for Hearing Walkathon.

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Other Services

Free/Discounted Parking for Community/Public Service Events
Donation:
In Kind:  approximately $140,855
The Mass. Eye and Ear provided free or discounted parking in its lots for members of the community attending educational events at the hospital, for support groups and for other organizations, including Community Boating.

Shuttle Service Program
Donation:
In Kind: approximately $6,000
Security and transportation staff shuttled patients who had no way of getting to and from Mass. Eye and Ear on their day of surgery

Taxi Vouchers for Needy patients
Donation:
In Kind: $17,000 including staff time
Free taxi transportation was provided for patients and families in emergency situations until arrangements could be made through Medicaid, the senior shuttle, The Ride, etc. Approximately 20-40 vouchers were provided each month.

Free Eyeglasses Program
Donation:
In Kind: approximately $8,500 including staff time
The Mass. Eye and Ear optical shop provided free eyeglasses to patients who fit the free care guidelines and were unable to pay for eyeglasses.

Social Services Caring Above and Beyond
Donation:
In Kind: Staff time/direct financial support of approximately $9,800
The Department of Social Work provides funding for emergency food, transportation, parking and other incidentals to patients throughout the year.

Social Services Consultation for Non-Mass. Eye and Ear Patients
In Kind: Staff time of $1,500
The Department of Social Work provides information and referral for homecare, financial resources, and vision and hearing resources for non-Mass. Eye and Ear patients in the community.

Hearing Aid Center
Donation:
In Kind: approximately $5,000
The Mass. Eye and Ear’s Hearing Aid Center provides an estimated $5,000 each year in free hearing aids for those in need.

Howe Library Assistance
Donation:
In Kind: Staff time/materials (approximately $2,200)
The Medical Librarians at Mass. Eye and Ear’s Howe Library assist the general public and those who request information from Mass. Eye and Ear’s website in finding medical material concerning any medical problem of interest. This could be as extensive as a computer search or as minimal as a quick scan of a book or searching on the Internet.

Diabetes Education
Donation: $1,500
In Kind: Staff time estimated at $1,875
Mass. Eye and Ear participated in the Diabetes Expo on March 14, 2009 at the Seaport World Trade Center.  A display booth highlighted many of the services offered at the hospital for diabetic patients – especially those with diabetic eye disorders and diabetic non-healing wounds.  Mass. Eye and Ear also had residents and medical students in the Lions Mobile conducting vision screens

Health and Fitness Expo
Donation: $2,400
In Kind: Staff time estimated at $2,030
Mass. Eye and Ear participated in the Partners Health & Fitness Expo at the Hynes Convention Center.  We had a display booth set up where we gave out safety flyers, as well as information on all of our services and upcoming seminars.  In addition, we had a Mass. Eye and Ear trivia game set up where we gave away prizes

B. The most notable accomplishment in fiscal year 2009 was the continuation of the vision and hearing program at the Neighborhood House Charter School, which is a challenge because of pediatric staffing shortage and a growing student population. We began working with the Vision Coalition to provide a clinic for students at the West End House, which we held in November 2008 and which will be described in next year’s report. We were also pleased to have been able to provide vision screenings at Camp Harbor View. In addition, we extended our commitment to help battered women and children through our collaboration with the R.O.S.E. Fund, although we did not have any patients come in through the R.O.S.E. Fund program this year.

VII. Next Reporting Year

A. Anticipated goals and program initiatives
The Mass. Eye and Ear’s goal is to revisit our definition of community, perform some needs assessment, rewrite our plan and to continue the many Community Benefits activities that are carried out throughout the hospital and to continue its proactive Community Benefits program.

B. Projected outcomes
We plan to screen children at the Neighborhood House Charter School and to provide any necessary follow-up care. We hope the outcome is improving these children’s vision and hearing and ultimately their lives. We also hope to continue our collaboration with the Vision Coalition. We also plan to continue our involvement with the R.O.S.E. Fund to provide needed surgery for victims of domestic violence.
 

VIII. Contact Information

Mary Leach 
Director of Public Affairs
Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
243 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114
(617) 573-4170

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