Governor Charlie Baker Enlists State’s Medical Schools In Combatting Opioid Epidemic

Governor Charlie Baker Enlists State’s Medical Schools In Combatting Opioid Epidemic
First-in-the-nation effort aims to educate all medical students on pain management and safe opioid prescribing methods

BOSTON – In an effort to arm the next generation of doctors with the tools to curb the opioid epidemic, Governor Charlie Baker met with the Massachusetts Medical Society and the Deans from four medical schools today to discuss opportunities for enhancing curriculum and establishing cross-institutional best practices in pain management and safe prescribing of opioids.

“The avenue prescription pain pills can provide to addiction and heroin use further stresses the need for advancing safe and responsible prescribing methods in the medical community,” said Governor Charlie Baker.  “I am proud that the leaders of the major medical schools here today are committed to working collaboratively with us and each other to review the existing curricula for medical students around safe prescribing and proper use in order to begin curbing this public health epidemic.”

Providing doctors additional training on opioids was part of the comprehensive set of 65 recommendations released in June by the Governor’s Opioid Working Group. The Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) has been a strong partner, leading the way in reviewing best practices for opioid prescribing. 

“Massachusetts is home to the best medical care in the world.  We are a national leader of cutting-edge diagnostics and innovative technologies to treat complex conditions,” said MMS President Dennis M. Dimitri, M.D. “With this collaboration by four major medical schools, we are again setting a new standard—this time for giving our young medical students and residents enhanced education to manage pain properly, while identifying addictive behaviors and getting patients into treatment, when needed.”

The four medical institutions – University of Massachusetts Medical School; Harvard Medical School; Boston University School of Medicine; and Tufts School of Medicine – instruct about 3,000 medical students per year.  With today’s first meeting, attendees agreed to continue towards making recommendations regarding identified best practices, curricula enhancements, and opportunities for public/private, cross-institutional collaboration.

“Whether they aspire to be a primary care doctor, emergency physician or a surgeon, participating in this type of training early on gets them thinking about the importance of pain management for their patients as well as the importance of choosing the right pain management tool,” said Commissioner Monica Bharel, M.D., Department of Public Health.

RMV Introduces Free In-Branch WiFi at Agency’s Eight Busiest Branches

RMV Introduces Free In-Branch WiFi at Agency’s Eight Busiest Branches

Customers enjoy free internet service during branch visits

BOSTON – Wednesday, September 2, 2015 – The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles today announced the availability of free in-branch WiFi service for customers performing transactions at eight branch locations across the Commonwealth.  The RMV is offering this amenity as part of its effort to enhance customer service and modernize branch operations.

“The RMV is pleased to expand access to WiFi to enhance our customers’ service experience,” said Registrar Erin Deveney.  “Customers will now have the convenience of internet access at their disposal to perform either work or other leisure activities online.”

The WiFi service has been available in the Boston Haymarket Branch since the facility opened last September.  The RMV recently opened the network to customers earlier this month for seven more branches.  Since that time, approximately 5,000 people have used the service. The RMV intends to monitor usage prior to bringing the service to additional branch locations.

The information below outlines the total number of connections to WiFi per branch since the service’s inception at the beginning of last month.

RMV Branch Location	Average Number of Customer Connections to WiFi
Braintree	2,158
Brockton	672
Haymarket	4,374
Revere	1,258
Springfield	1,169
Watertown	2,831
Wilmington	2,587
Worcester	1,845

WiFi gives customers the ability to connect to the internet and other sources through various portable technologies including mobile phones, tablets, and laptops.  Customers logging on are directed to www.MassRMV.com and from there are able to access the internet. For service reliability and bandwidth reasons, video streaming sites such as Netflix and YouTube are not available.  In addition, adult content sites have also been blocked.  

Customers are encouraged to Tweet us about the service @MassRMV #InBranchWiFi.

Bunker Hill Community College Offers College Courses in Everett

Bunker Hill Community College Offers College Courses in Everett

BOSTON, September 2, 2015—Beginning this fall Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) will offer courses for college credit in the fields of healthcare and criminal justice in Everett, Massachusetts.

“By offering college courses in Everett, Bunker Hill Community College provides Everett residents with convenient access to higher education,” said James F. Canniff, Provost and Vice President, Academic Affairs and Student Services.

The courses will be offered at Everett High School, located at 100 Elm Street. The allied health courses include Vital Signs (AHE-1014-EH) and Medical Terminology (NHP-180-EH). The criminal justice courses include Criminal Law (CRJ-103-EH) and Street Law (CRJ-117-EH). All courses are held on Wednesdays from 6 to 8:45 p.m. beginning September 16. A number of seats in these courses are reserved for Everett High School students as part of the College’s Dual Enrollment and Early College programs; additional seats are open to prospective and current BHCC students as well as to the general public.

Everett High School Principal Erick Naumann lauded the benefits of dual enrollment for high school students. “Studies show that students in dual enrollment are more prepared, persistent and practical. They achieve higher grade point averages in college, and fewer development courses are needed,” said Naumann.

“BHCC draws many students from this community,” said Nuri Chandler-Smith, Dean of Academic Support and College Pathways Programs. “Locating courses in the communities where our current and potential students live, work or seek services makes the transition to college easier and encourages students to regard a college education as more attainable as they look to the future.”

The College is also offering courses beginning this fall at the Asian American Civic Association in Boston’s Chinatown. 

To find out more about courses offered in these locations or to register, visit: bhcc.edu/instructionalcenters/. You may also register in person at Bunker Hill Community College in Charlestown, Room B202 and Room E235.

CITY OF BOSTON ANNOUNCES PREPARATIONS FOR BOSTON'S PRELIMINARY MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

CITY OF BOSTON ANNOUNCES PREPARATIONS FOR BOSTON'S PRELIMINARY MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

BOSTON - Friday, September 4, 2015 - Today, the Boston Election Department released plans for the Preliminary Municipal Election in City Council Districts 4 and 7, taking place on Tuesday, September 8. The polls in Boston will open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m. This year's Preliminary Municipal Election also coincides with the opening of Boston Public Schools. To help guide voter traffic, the Election Department will provide additional staff at Boston Public School locations that are voting sites. In addition, the Boston Police Department will deploy additional staff at school voting sites to help alleviate traffic congestion and to ensure that handicap spaces are not improperly blocked. Voters who will cast their ballot in schools are asked in advance for their patience and cooperation. Boston's ballots are printed in English/Spanish across the City, and in English/Chinese and English/Vietnamese ballots where there is a need.  Nearly 95 election officers speak one or more languages in addition to English, including Chinese (both Mandarin and Cantonese dialects), Vietnamese, Haitian Creole, Cape Verdean Creole and Russian.  Each precinct will also be provided with an automark machine which increases accessibility to residents with sensory and physical limitations, as well as linguistic limitations.    These two Council Districts include more than 78,000 registered voters eligible to participate in this election. There will be approximately 405 election officers assigned to 59 voting precincts in Boston, which are housed at 40 locations. For more information about Tuesday's election, please visit boston.gov/elections. Media Guidelines Members of the media are reminded that certain rules must be followed in order to ensure a smooth voting process for voters. ·       Interviews of voters are not allowed inside polling locations and must be done at least 150 feet away. ·       Interviews with election officers at the polling locations are not allowed. Interview requests for the Election Commissioner must be directed through the Press Office at (617) 635-4461. ·       Photos and b-roll shots will be allowed under the supervision of each poll's warden. ·       Photographers are reminded that zooming in on voter ballots and shots over the shoulders of voters will not be allowed - please respect every voter's right to a private ballot. ·       The City of Boston Election Department will also be available for b-roll shots starting at 7:30 a.m. ·       Results will be posted online at www.boston.gov  after the polls close at8:00 p.m. Please do not call the Election Department for results. ·       Updates will be provided periodically via our Facebook and Twitter account: @BostonElection