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With the arrival of the G-20 Summit, the worldwide spotlight has been on Pittsburgh. Click here to read some of the stories that have appeared in national and international media outlets recently. They provide a great overview of Pittsburgh and the leading role UPMC has played in the region’s economic renaissance.

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Health care workers are at high risk for contracting seasonal influenza and spreading it to patients, family members, and co-workers. All UPMC physicians and staff members are strongly encouraged to receive free seasonal flu vaccine at any of the locations listed on Infonet. Bring your UPMC employee identification number (found on your UPMC pay advice) and UPMC photo identification to the flu vaccine clinic.

A step in the right direction
A flu shot also entitles UPMC physicians and staff to 100 MyHealth Take a Healthy Step points. UPMC Health Plan members whose membership began on or before June 1, 2009, must meet the following requirements to receive their 2010 MyHealth deductible credit:

  • Acknowledge the Wellness Pledge and complete or update the MyHealth Questionnaire (required step worth 100 points).
  • Complete a biometric screening between Sept. 1, 2004, and Nov. 13, 2009 (required step worth 100 points).
  • Earn at least 100 points by taking one or more additional Healthy Steps, such as getting a seasonal flu shot.

Visit the Flu site on Infonet frequently for updates related to both seasonal and H1N1 flu.

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Are you approaching age 65 or becoming eligible for Medicare? Do you know a friend or family member who is? What does Original Medicare cover? Do you know what Medicare Advantage plans are and what types of Medicare coverage are available?

Get answers to these and other questions at upcoming informational seminars hosted by representatives of UPMC for Life, the Medicare product operated by UPMC Health Plan. Click here for the list of seminar dates and locations.

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The Innovation Award Fund was established by the Beckwith Institute and the Audrey Hillman Fisher Foundation to encourage the use of innovative thinking and problem-solving methods to meet the challenges of providing quality health care, and to recognize those who make a positive contribution to patient care.

Awardees will receive a grant to complete a proposed research project, pilot, or new program that supports innovation and excellence within the following five categories:

  • nurse retention
  • evidence-based practice within a targeted clinical quality improvement area
  • improving health care quality through models of care delivery
  • healthy workforce

The goal of the award is to support an innovative approach that provides a positive and direct impact on improving patient care outcomes.

All applications must be submitted by Oct. 1. Click here to learn more about the award and the application process.

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The Children’s Miracle Network has partnered with Microsoft to award an upgraded game room to the three children’s hospitals that receive the highest number of votes in a national contest among pediatric hospitals running through Oct. 16. Support Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC and register to vote.

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UPMC is proud to support its men and women who are active reservists in or veterans of the nation’s armed forces. If you are a veteran or active reservist, UPMC would like to know. You can verify the military status that Human Resources currently has on file for you through My HUB (select My Profile, then My Personal Information). If your military service is not listed, complete the voluntary Veteran Status Self-Identification form available in the Forms section of Infonet or contact your local Human Resources office.

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Do you need to get or renew your basic life support (BLS) or advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) certification? The Peter M. Winter Institute for Simulation, Education and Research (WISER) now offers BLS and ACLS initial and renewal classes in a computer-based format. Course participants may access the didactic materials online or from a compact disc in any location with Internet access. After completing the educational component, the participant then can schedule an appointment at WISER for the skill-based section of the course.

Classes are offered on an individual basis or as a group class. For more information, or to schedule a course, contact WISER at 412-648-6073, wiserhelp@upmc.edu, or visit www.wiser.pitt.edu.

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Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC is the presenting sponsor of the ninth annual Walk to Break the Silence on Ovarian Cancer. This annual event will be held Sunday, Oct. 4, in North Park. For more information about the walk or to register, visit the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition's website.

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The next time you are purchasing a product, think about the impact it will have on the environment.

On average, packaging accounts for more than 50 percent of a product’s waste. Fragile products and those being shipped longer distances require more packaging. If possible, consider sturdier products produced nearby to reduce packaging waste.

Purchasing in volume, as UPMC does, also reduces the amount of individual packaging. Items used across the system are purchased in bulk, received in the central distribution warehouse, and repackaged for internal distribution. Soon, UPMC will be switching from cardboard boxes to reusable polymer containers for internal distribution, an additional savings for the environment.

To learn more about environmentally preferred purchasing, visit the Environmental Initiatives site on Infonet or view UPMC’s systemwide policy, HS-MM0300, Guidelines for Purchasing.

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Select your location for this week's news and events specific to your campus or hospital.

Oakland, Shadyside, and Corporate locations

UPMC Braddock

UPMC Horizon

UPMC McKeesport

UPMC Passavant

UPMC St. Margaret

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Sept. 25, 2009