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Marie Dextra, a unit associate on Tower 16, had a lot of questions about health. Last month, she got the answers she needed from a BWH physician as part of a new Women’s Health Series for female Support Services staff.
The series, co-sponsored by the Harvard Medical School Center of Excellence in Women’s Health, BWH Support Services and the Connors Center for Women’s Health, will help staff learn to take care of themselves and learn about health topics that concern them. The series is slated to run twice per year, with sessions in English, Spanish and Haitian-Creole.
“We want to provide our staff with access to a doctor who speaks their language,” Jennifer Nadelson, administrative director of Support Services, said. “The women who attended the first session really enjoyed it and learned quite a bit.”
The first session was held for Haitian-Creole speaking employees. Attendees wrote down their questions about health, and Gabrielle Bercy, MD, obstetrician and gynecologist, read and answered each question in Haitian-Creole. The group discussed health issues ranging from nutrition and hypertension to domestic violence, depression and cervical cancer.
“We don’t always talk about these issues, and women really need this space to be supported by other women and get their questions answered,” said Maisha Douyon Cover, women’s health program coordinator for the Office for Women, Family and Community Programs. “As women, we need to learn to take care of ourselves since we spend so much time taking care of others.”
Dextra said she learned a lot from the question and answer session. “You could ask the doctor questions about anything,” said Dextra, who added that she would recommend the series to other women. “It’s good for your health. There are a lot of things you might not know that the doctor can tell you.”
Women who work in Support Services are invited to attend one of the next sessions during their shifts. In addition to asking a physician questions, participants have the opportunity to get their blood pressure checked, enjoy refreshments and win prizes. Participants will receive paid release time during their shifts. Those interested should talk to their supervisors to sign up. Please share this information with staff who might be interested.
The next sessions are in Carrie Hall from 9:45 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Oct. 18 in Spanish and Oct. 19 in English.