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In This Issue:
Ouida Vincent and Michael Muto
Many things have changed at BWH since Ouida Vincent, MD, completed her residency in OB/GYN here in 1995, but one thing that has remained constant is the hospital’s commitment to teaching.
That’s why when Vincent was tasked with starting a women’s health minimally invasive surgery program at Gallup Indian Medical Center she decided to return to BWH.
“What better place to see how this kind of care is being delivered than at the Brigham, where the collegial atmosphere remains as strong as ever,” said Vincent, who has spent 16 years working at the Gallup Indian Medical Center, one of the Indian Health Service (IHS) hospitals serving the Navajo reservation in Gallup and Shiprock, New Mexico. Vincent shadowed Michael Muto, MD, of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, during her four days at BWH, where she got a chance to witness several surgery cases and receive tips on managing the practice.
“Everyone has been incredibly supportive and willing to share their expertise, which will help us to not only care for patients that need these services, but also to run this clinic in an efficient way,” said Vincent.
Vincent was not the only visitor from the Indian Health Service last month. William Finn, MD, an internal medicine physician from the Northern Navajo Medical Center, a partner hospital with the Brigham and Women’s Outreach Program with Indian Health Service, visited BWH to shadow cardiologist John Jarcho, MD. Finn was here to learn what it takes to run a heart failure clinic, as the Northern Navajo Medical Center expects to open one next year.
William Finn and John Jarcho
“This clinic will fill a void in helping us manage cardiac care for hundreds of patients on the Navajo reservation,” said Finn.
Jarcho, along with Michael Muto, has spent time volunteering at the Northern Navajo Medical Center. Both are eager to return and encourage their colleagues to learn more about how to participate in the Outreach Program.
BWH has a long history with IHS. Since 2008, the Brigham and Women’s Outreach Program with Indian Health Service has partnered with IHS clinical staff to improve the health of American Indian/Alaskan Natives. Through the program, BWH physicians volunteer at IHS institutions and provide patient care and teach the local medical staff. They also offer remote teaching and consultative activities from Boston via telemedicine technology.
“We take tremendous pride in caring for our patients at BWH,” said Thomas Sequist, MD, MPH, the clinical director for the Brigham and Women’s Outreach Program with Indian Health Service. “But it is equally rewarding to share our best practices and expertise with our colleagues at Shiprock and Gallup because it will make a big difference in the lives of members of the reservation.”
Learn more: www.brighamandwomens.org/ihs