The hospital's goal is to match their positions to volunteers' interests and skills so that volunteers will have a rewarding experience.

We ask that volunteers honor a service commitment of at least one four-hour shift per week. Hours are flexible, and some weekend assignments are available. Volunteer benefits include: free parking, free meals, and on-the-job training. Volunteers are welcome to participate in various events and educational programs throughout the year.

For more information about becoming a volunteer, call Susan Frost, Volunteer Coordinator at 617-983-7424 or email sfrost@faulknerhospital.org.

Brigham and Women's/Faulkner Hospitals are pleased to announce the next "Make Time for Your Health!" talk. The programs consist of health education sessions and health screenings throughout the fall, led by experts from the hospitals who have access to and first-hand knowledge of the latest information on a variety of health issues. This upcoming session, entitled "Getting You Back on Your Feet: Addressing Foot and Ankle Conditions" will be held Tuesday, September 27, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. in the Faulkner Hospital 3rd floor Huvos Auditorium. Does pain from a foot or ankle condition impact your quality-of-life? Brigham and Women's Hospital orthopedic surgeon Christopher Chiodo, MD, will discuss prevention and treatment of common foot and ankle conditions. Covered topics will include arthritis, bunions, heel pain, deformities, and nerve disorders. Both operative and non-operative treatment options will be reviewed. Call 1-877-BWF-5773 to reserve a space.

The award is based on the results of a national study designed by Solucient to measure the rate of hospital performance improvement over five consecutive years as compared to peer hospitals nationwide. The measurements reflect improvement of clinical outcomes, patient safety, efficiency, financial stability and growth.

Faulkner Hospital leadership (CEO, medical staff leadership, senior management team, executive committees and boards) was recognized for affecting a culture of change resulting in consistent and effective performance improvement across key areas of the hospital at a faster rate than other U.S. hospitals between 1999-2003. The hospital has been consistently improving and expanding both its inpatient and outpatient service offerings to the community since merging with Brigham and Women's Hospital in 1998.

In order to improve the care that acute stroke patients receive, and to increase the likelihood that they receive prompt access to definitive care, The Department of Public Health has designated select hospitals as Primary Stroke Services. Faulkner Hospital is one of the facilities that has recently been given this designation. This title requires that the hospital follow very specific stroke protocols for patient assessment and care as well as commit to continually educating the public about the warning signs and symptoms of stroke. Faulkner Hospital has named Steven Feske, MD as the Stroke Center director. Dr. Feske will work closely with Martin Samuels, MD, Chief of the newly formed and integrated BW/F Department of Neurology as well as head of the Faulkner Stroke Committee.

As a Primary Stroke Service facility, Faulkner Hospital provides emergency diagnostic and therapeutic services by a multidisciplinary team 24 hours a day, seven days a week to patients presenting with symptoms of acute stroke. A comprehensive plan designed to assess and treat stroke patients, expedites patient flow from arrival at the Emergency Room through diagnostic testing to treatment for patients meeting the criteria for administration of the clot busting drug, tPA. Richard Larson, MD, Faulkner Hospital Chief of Emergency Medicine states, "I believe our primary stroke center designation will be a plus for our community. The community education process that is one of our obligations will help people to recognize the signs of stroke and how important it is to be seen in a stroke center as soon as possible. This should lead to more people being eligible for thrombolytic (clot busting) therapy."-

Though about 600,000 new strokes are reported in the U.S. each year, the good news is that treatments are available that can greatly reduce the damage caused by stroke. However, you need to recognize the symptoms of a stroke and get to a hospital quickly. Getting treatment within 60 minutes can prevent disability. A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted. When a stroke occurs, brain cells in the immediate area begin to die because they stop getting the oxygen and nutrients they need to function. It is important to be aware of stroke symptoms, which include:

		Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg (especially on one side of the body)
		Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech
		Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
		Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
		Sudden severe headache with no known cause

If you believe someone is having a stroke - if he or she suddenly loses the ability to speak, or move an arm or leg on one side, or experiences facial paralysis on one side - call 911 immediately.